By Mummy Grace 
The Minnesota Vikings‘ 31-9 loss to the Detroit Lions has left head coach Kevin O’Connell reflecting on missed opportunities, particularly in the red zone. The Vikings converted just 1 of 9 goal-to-go opportunities, a critical shortfall in a game where every point mattered.
Key Moments Highlighted by O’Connell
O’Connell pointed to moments like Andrew Van Ginkel’s struggles late in the game:
- Jahmyr Gibbs exploited Van Ginkel’s coverage for a 10-yard touchdown, putting Detroit up 17-9 late in the third quarter.
- After Minnesota missed a 51-yard field goal, Van Ginkel nearly intercepted Jared Goff’s screen pass—a potential pick-six that could have shifted momentum.
- Three plays later, Gibbs scored again on a 13-yard run, extending Detroit’s lead to 24-9.
Despite a strong defensive effort in the first half, O’Connell lamented the lack of execution in pivotal moments. “One or two more plays in the red zone,” he noted, could have changed the game’s trajectory.
Sam Darnold’s Struggles
Quarterback Sam Darnold had a tough night, finishing 18 of 41 for 166 yards, with a passer rating of just 55.5.
- Darnold overthrew receivers eight times, the second-worst mark of his career.
- His first-half performance (9 of 20 for 93 yards) reflected discomfort, as he faced relentless pressure from Detroit’s defense.
Darnold acknowledged the team’s poor red-zone performance, saying, “Kicking field goals… that’s not going to cut it against a good team like that.”
Lions Dominate, Vikings Face Uncertainty
The Lions, energized by a raucous Ford Field crowd—including Eminem and his daughter Hailey—secured their place as the NFC’s top seed with home-field advantage and a first-round bye. Meanwhile, the Vikings, now the No. 5 seed, face a challenging Wild Card game against the Los Angeles Rams in Inglewood.
Looking Ahead
With just a week to prepare, O’Connell expressed optimism, saying, “We’ll be ready to play football again and hopefully get back to doing a lot of things we’ve done consistently all season.” The Vikings have shown resilience throughout the year, but Monday night’s game will be a true test of their ability to recover from their worst loss of the season.
Can the Vikings bounce back, or will their struggles follow them into the postseason? It’s sink or swim time for Minnesota.