5 most disappointing Vikings in the loss to the Lions in Week 14

Chandon Sullivan – CB

Chandon Sullivan hasn’t been very good for the Vikings for the majority of the season, but sadly they don’t have any other options. They are stuck with the grabby, poor-tackling corner and have to hope he makes more plays than mistakes.

Last Sunday in Detroit was not one of his better performances. Sullivan blew coverage on DJ Chark’s long touchdown. He did make it a little closer than the Williams over Bynum bomb, but he was late on getting to him and then couldn’t catch up in time.

Sullivan’s biggest sin of the day was the late hit he had on Jared Goff. The Vikings had the Lions at a 3rd and about 13. Goff took off running, and it looked like he was going to make it until Sullivan showed up to stop him. Just as Sullivan began committing to the tackle, Goff slid. Sullivan continued with his tackle, hitting Goff and drawing a fifteen-yard penalty which gave the Lions a new set of downs and later lead to a score.

Sullivan has to be more aware in that situation. If he sees Goff start to slide, he has to try to alter his tackle, either diving out of the way but still making contact with a hand or leg or something. That is obviously much easier said than done, but that penalty was a killer and would’ve been a huge stop for a defense that couldn’t make one all day long.