Vikings end 2020 season on high note with win over Lions
By Adam Patrick
In their final game of the 2020 season, the Minnesota Vikings picked up a win over the Detroit Lions.
After getting themselves back in the hunt for a playoff spot, the previous three weeks have been pretty disappointing for the Minnesota Vikings. Each of their matchups resulted in a loss and after they were defeated by the New Orleans Saints last week, the Vikings were officially eliminated from earning a spot in this year’s postseason.
So with nothing on the line against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Minnesota just went out onto the field with the goal to end their 2020 season with a victory.
Luckily, the Vikings were able to hold on and squeak out a 37-35 win over the Lions. With the victory, Minnesota finishes the year with a 7-9 record.
Offense leads the Minnesota Vikings to win over Detroit Lions
For a franchise whose strength has been its defense since the arrival of Mike Zimmer, the Vikings’ offense has been the unit that has led the team to multiple victories this season. This was the case, once again, on Sunday in Detroit.
Minnesota finished with 508 total yards in their win over the Lions and their 37 points are the most the Vikings have scored all year long.
Minnesota quarterback Kirk Cousins led the charge by throwing for an impressive 405 yards and three touchdowns. For Cousins, this was his sixth career game with at least 400 passing yards and it’s the first time he’s thrown for more than 400 yards in a matchup since Week 4 of the 2018 season.
Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson capped off his fantastic rookie campaign with another stellar performance. Jefferson ended Sunday with nine catches for 133 yards and with his yardage total, he broke the NFL’s all-time record for most receiving yards in a single-season by a rookie during the Super Bowl era (since 1970).
Unfortunately, Minnesota won’t be in action again until next season. For the next handful of months, the Vikings will head back to the drawing board to see if they can get the team back to the playoffs in 2021.