Minnesota Vikings Week 4: Top 3 takeaways vs. the Detroit Lions

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 1: Case Keenum #7 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts after a failed fourth down attempt in the fourth quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions on October 1, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Lions defeated the Vikings 14-7. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 1: Case Keenum #7 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts after a failed fourth down attempt in the fourth quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions on October 1, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Lions defeated the Vikings 14-7. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) Case Keenum
(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) Case Keenum

The Minnesota Vikings now face an uphill battle in the race for the NFC North crown after falling to the Detroit Lions in Week 4.

Last season the Minnesota Vikings were twice beaten by the Detroit Lions in frustratingly close games where they couldn’t overcome their offensive struggles. Unfortunately history repeated itself in their first encounter of 2017 as the Vikings suffered a painful first home loss 14-7 to the Lions on Sunday.

With Case Keenum once again filling in at quarterback, the Vikings’ offense looked a shell of the unit we saw in the first two games at U.S Bank Stadium. With Keenum failing to deliver a second career-defining performance, they struggled to sustain drives going 3 for 10 on third downs and turning the ball over four times (once on downs).

Defensively, Minnesota dominated as they gave up their lowest points total of the season despite showing glimmers of weakness against the run.

Losing divisional games is always depressing, but this game felt especially excruciating to watch as the Vikings squandered several opportunities to win or take the game to overtime. Minnesota now holds a 2-2 record and with two of their rivals at 3-1, the Vikings face an uphill battle in the race for the NFC North crown.

This week my takeaways focus on how the Vikings can regain their winning ways and stay in the hunt.

Unless otherwise noted, all game stats are provided by ESPN

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