The overall impression from Week 12 vs Lions
The Minnesota Vikings really needed this win. As I’ve said before, the Lions had won the first head-to-head game in Minnesota and the Lions look to be the toughest competition in the NFC North title race.
More from The Viking Age
- 6 biggest draft steals in Minnesota Vikings history
- Former Vikings first-round pick could reportedly return to NFC North
- Bears analyst has extremely embarrassing Kirk Cousins take
- 6 Vikings who (maybe) won’t make the 53-man roster in 2023
- Predicting what the Vikings will do in the 2023 NFL Draft based on 2022
The offense was just as expected for Minnesota. Case Keenum played efficient football and showed off just how dangerous he can be with his legs as well as his arm while finding both Thielen and Rudolph in clutch situations.
Defensively, the Vikings faced off against a tough Lions offense that is known for big plays but held them in check for the most part aside from the middle of the second half. But the pass rush needs to be recognized for everything they did, and they only allowed 40 yards on the ground from running backs.
As a whole, Minnesota has always struggled against the Lions in recent history and this is a game that the team needed to win. The Vikings players had that extra boom in their step this week, especially on defense, where they just seemed to play extra fast and hit hard.
Next: 2nd half highlights from Week 12
Now, the Vikings will get some rest as they won’t play again until their Week 13 game against the Falcons in Atlanta on Sunday, December 3, 2017. The Viking Age will be back to give the Ups and Downs from that game and hope you’ll come back as well!