10 quick thoughts on the Vikings loss to the Lions in Week 14

More rapid thoughts from Minnesota’s loss to Detroit

Cook put a Detroit defender on skates: Lined up on the Lions’ one-yard line during their second offensive drive of the game, the Vikings decided to pitch the ball out to the left side of the line to running back Dalvin Cook.

Lions safety DeShon Elliot had a good opportunity to tackle Cook, but the Minnesota running back decided to juke the defender out of his shoes for an easy touchdown instead.

Hockenson showered with boos: Despite the fact that he never asked to be traded by Detroit earlier this season, fans inside Ford Field still decided to boo every time Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson touched the ball on Sunday.

Apparently, Lions fans feel betrayed by Hockenson because their favorite team decided to trade him to a division rival.

Vikings begin second half in familiar fashion: For whatever reason, Minnesota has struggled mightily in the third quarter this season, especially during their first offensive possession.

This continued on Sunday as the Vikings’ offense was off the field after just three plays during their first drive of the third quarter. This was the seventh time this season that Minnesota’s first offensive possession of the second half resulted in a 3-and-out.

O’Connell opts to go for two: After Adam Thielen hauled in a touchdown pass in the middle of the third quarter to cut the Vikings’ double-digit deficit, Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell decided to attempt a two-point conversion to shrink Detroit’s lead to just six points instead of kicking the extra point and cutting their lead to seven.

It seems like O’Connell’s decision had to do with the Vikings getting better odds to win the game in regulation instead of tying the matchup and giving the Lions’ a chance to win in overtime. A bit confusing at the time the decision was made, but probably the correct choice.