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The game began with promise. Detroit’s defense forced an early punt, and the offense moved efficiently downfield. From there, though, everything went off-script. The Vikings capitalized on a David Montgomery fumble, a blocked field goal, and a pair of special teams miscues to build a lead they would never relinquish. Quarterback JJ McCarthy made the Lions pay for every mistake. He threw for two touchdowns and playing mistake-free football in his return from injury.

Detroit tried to rally late, of course. Goff led a spirited fourth-quarter drive to pull within three. However, it wasn’t enough. The loss dropped the Lions to 5-3 and reignited concerns about their inconsistency against division rivals.

Here we’ll try to look at and discuss the Detroit Lions most to blame for their brutal loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 9.

Jared Goff fails to rise to the moment

For much of the past two seasons, Goff has been the Lions’ steadying force. On Sunday, though, he looked hesitant, uncomfortable, and overwhelmed. Due to the Vikings’ relentless defensive pressure, Goff never quite found his rhythm.

He completed 67 percent of his passes for 248 yards and one touchdown. Still, that efficiency masked deeper issues. Goff was sacked five times, often holding onto the ball too long or missing open receivers on critical downs. The offense converted just five of 15 third-down attempts. That was a testament to both Minnesota’s defensive aggression and Detroit’s inability to adjust.

Even worse, Goff’s internal clock seemed to vanish under pressure. Several of his sacks came on plays where he had ample time to throw but failed to trust his reads. The Vikings’ defensive front, led by Eric Wilson, exploited that indecision. They collapsed the pocket and forced Detroit into predictable passing situations.

It’s hard to pin the entire loss on Goff, though. As we’ll see later, the offensive line struggled mightily. Despite that, as the veteran leader of a playoff-caliber roster, Goff’s inability to elevate the offense when it mattered most was glaring.

Jahmyr Gibbs disappears from the game plan

If Goff’s inconsistency was disappointing, the Lions’ misuse of Jahmyr Gibbs was downright baffling. The dynamic running back was a nonfactor for most of the game.

Gibbs finished with just nine carries for 25 yards and three receptions for three yards. It was a stunningly low output for a player who can change games with one touch. Worse, his pass protection was a liability. He gave up two sacks on blitz pickups. This led to stalled drives and missed scoring chances.

The Vikings’ front seven clogged running lanes and forced Detroit into passing situations. However, Detroit’s offensive play-calling didn’t help. Rather than finding creative ways to get Gibbs into space, the Lions leaned too heavily on short checkdowns and predictable runs between the tackles.

By the fourth quarter, Montgomery was the preferred option in the backfield. That was even after his costly fumble in the first half. Gibbs’ lack of involvement in critical moments raised questions about Detroit’s offensive adaptability and game management.

Offensive line collapses under pressure

Detroit’s usually dependable offensive line turned in one of its worst performances of the year. Injuries and miscommunication plagued the group from start to finish. Minnesota took full advantage.

Left guard Christian Mahogany struggled in pass protection before leaving with an injury. He allowed four pressures and multiple hurries. Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker both appeared banged up, while guard Tate Ratledge also limped off at one point. The constant rotation up front destroyed any sense of cohesion. This left Goff under siege for much of the afternoon.

The Vikings finished with five sacks, but the number doesn’t fully capture the level of disruption they caused. Detroit’s running game never found traction, and the offense’s timing fell apart as protection broke down.

Special teams meltdown seals the loss

Detroit’s special teams also imploded in spectacular fashion.

It started early when the Vikings opened the game with a 61-yard kick return. That set up a quick touchdown that gave them momentum. Then, late in the fourth quarter, disaster struck. With a chance to tie the game, the Lions’ field goal attempt was blocked and returned deep into their own territory. That all but sealed the loss.

Those weren’t the only miscues. Poor coverage, missed assignments, and costly penalties negated any advantage Detroit might have had in the third phase of the game. These breakdowns were both surprising and inexcusable.

A humbling reminder for a team with big ambitions

For the Lions, this was a wake-up call. Every strength they’ve built their identity on disappeared in a winnable divisional game at home. The bye week was supposed to sharpen their focus; instead, it dulled their edge.

Dan Campbell’s team remains one of the NFC’s most talented. Of course, talent alone won’t fix sloppiness. Goff’s hesitance, Gibbs’ inefficiency, and the offensive line’s breakdowns combined to create a loss that will sting well beyond Week 9.

Detroit still sits in playoff position, but the path forward just got tougher. The Lions just lost their sense of invincibility. If they don’t correct these issues fast, their NFC North lead could slip away just as quickly.