The Viking Age
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Schmidt’s Week 4 game grades: Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions

By Jordan Schmidt

(Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) Linval Joseph
(Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) Linval Joseph /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 1: Case Keenum #7 of the Minnesota Vikings speaks with offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur in the second quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions on October 1, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 1: Case Keenum #7 of the Minnesota Vikings speaks with offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur in the second quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions on October 1, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Vikings offensive grade: D

The Vikings offense will want to forget about this game as they struggled to move the ball and put up points. Case Keenum had a big game a week ago, but couldn’t repeat that performance again. Keenum looked indecisive on his throws and missed opportunities.

Keenum completed 16 passes on 30 attempts for 219 yards. Keenum had a chance to hit Adam Thielen in the corner of the end zone but decided to throw the dump off pass. This was a missed opportunity for the Vikings as they didn’t only miss out on a touchdown they missed the field goal.

The Vikings also hurt themselves as they had three fumbles. For the Vikings who were struggling to move the ball yesterday adding turnovers only made it a long day for the unit.

The first fumble of the game came on the first drive of the second half. Pat Shurmur called a wild-cat play which resulted in Jerick McKinnon fumbling and giving the Lions the ball in Vikings territory.

The second fumble came from Dalvin Cook. Cook made a cut, where he buckled his knee in which he dropped the ball because of the pain from his injury. The fumble came deep into Vikings territory.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 1: Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings fumbles the ball while being tackled by defender Tavon Wilson #32 of the Detroit Lions in the third quarter of the game on October 1, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Cook was injured on the play and left the game for the locker room. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 1: Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings fumbles the ball while being tackled by defender Tavon Wilson #32 of the Detroit Lions in the third quarter of the game on October 1, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Cook was injured on the play and left the game for the locker room. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

The last fumble came late in the game from Adam Thielen. The first play on the Vikings last drive of the game, Keenum found Thielen but as he turned up field, a Lions’ player knock the ball out which sealed the win for the Lions.

As disappointing as the Vikings offense was there are some positives from the unit. Stefon Diggs continues his hot start. He finishes with 5 catches for 98 yards with his longest catch going for 33 yards.

The offensive line played a decent game as they gave up only two sacks. The best moment for the line came on Cook’s touchdown. Riley Reiff and Nick Easton did a good job of creating the hole on the left side that made it is for Cook to walk in for a touchdown.

Overall, the Vikings’ offense took a step back from last week. After scoring 34 points and to come back with only 7 points at home is not an encouraging sign for this team. Losing Cook hurts but Latavius Murray should be able to fill in nicely. This game needs to be on the short memory side and time for the team to move on.

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