Week 14 Game Recap: Minnesota Vikings 30, Detroit Lions 20

What you need to know

Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota won their tenth consecutive game over the Lions as QB Brad Johnson got the start despite having a miserable game last week and speculation that the Vikings might start rookie QB Tarvaris Jackson instead this week. Johnson managed the offense better this week by not necessarily making many plays with his arm, but by making fewer mistakes. He and the passing game took a back seat to the Vikings’ rushing attack. Johnson did not have very impressive numbers in the game as he only had 159 yards passing and no passing touchdowns, but he did rush for a touchdown from the three yard line in the second quarter. His one big mistake in the game was an ugly looking interception he threw to CB Jamar Fletcher in the second quarter who took the ball back 89 yards for touchdown. After this play, the Vikings play calling became more conservative and Johnson only attempted nine more passes the rest of the game.

Minnesota’s best offensive player, RB Chester Taylor, was sidelined for this game with a rib injury he sustained last week.

Backup RB Artose Pinner, who was among one of the Lions’ final cuts before the season started, replaced injured starter RB Chester Taylor and surprisingly played ahead of other backups in the game. Pinner had the best game of his career by rushing for 125 yards and three touchdowns, both career highs. His prominent role in the game was a bit of surprise as it was assumed RB Ciatrick Fason and RB Mewelde Moore would get most of the carries in Taylor’s absence. Also, Pinner had not been active for the last four games and had only nine carries this season coming into this game. Pinner found success right off the bat and the team stuck with the hot hand. The Minnesota offensive line did a good job of opening holes for Pinner and the other running backs as they rushed for 172 total yards in the game.

The Vikings’ defense held Detroit to minus three yards rushing, their second game this season in which they held an opponent to negative rushing yards in a game. The defensive line dominated the line of scrimmage and made the Lions offense one dimensional. They also forced six turnovers and recorded three sacks in the game.

Detroit Lions

QB Jon Kitna’s biggest downfall this season has been turnovers and it was again this week as he turned the ball over four times, three interceptions and one fumble. It was the eleventh consecutive game in which Kitna had at least one interception and he has now committed 26 turnovers this season. He did not get much help as the Lions’ banged up line struggled against the Vikings’ defensive line, and he got no assistance from the running game that rushed for minus three yards. His receivers also dropped some very catchable passes in key situations. Because the Lions couldn’t run the ball, Kitna was forced to throw the ball 41 times and he finished the game with 294 passing yards and one touchdown in the game.

RB Kevin Jones had a frustrating game rushing the ball as he carried it nine times for minus three yards. The Lions had shuffled their offensive line because of injuries and were clearly overmatched by Minnesota’s top rushing defense. Jones was met in the backfield on many carries by multiple defenders as the Vikings line got great penetration and completely shut down the running game. The one bright spot for Jones was that he was one of the main targets in the passing game as he had six catches for 67 yards, including a 23 yard touchdown reception. Late in the game Jones was injured on a run near the goal line. He appeared to hurt his foot or ankle, and had to be helped off the field. He was taken to the locker room on a cart and did not return.

WR Roy Williams and WR Mike Furrey combined for 15 catches for 157 yards, but each also had costly fumbles each in the game. Both Williams and Furrey dropped several catchable passes and neither had any good scoring opportunities in the game.

What you ought to know

QB Brad Johnson, Pass: 14 - 22 - 159 - 0 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 5 - 10 - 1

Johnson got the start in the game despite an awful performance and getting benched the week before in Chicago. He got off to a good start as he led Minnesota on 80 yard touchdown drive on their first possession of the game. Johnson went four for six for 47 yards on that drive that ended with three yard touchdown run. On the third possession of the game for the Vikings’ offense, they got the ball deep in Detroit territory off a turnover. Johnson ran the ball into the end zone from the three yard line as he rolled out to his right to cap a 22 yard drive. It was Johnson’s first rushing touchdown since 2001. Just as it seemed the Vikings were taking total control of the game up 20-0, Johnson threw an interception that Jamar Fletcher took it back 89 yards for a touchdown. He finished the half ten for 15 for 124 yards, and one interception.

Johnson didn’t make many plays in the second half as he missed open receivers on the few plays the Vikings choose to throw he ball. He was only four for seven for 35 yards in the second half. Minnesota went to a more conservative offense and weren’t as effective moving the ball in the second half. Johnson was more of a caretaker in the second half as Minnesota tried to protect their lead, and not make anymore big mistakes on offense.

RB Artose Pinner, Rush: 29 - 125 - 3, Rec: 2 - 15 - 0 (3 targets)

Pinner had the best game of his career as he got the majority of carries in place of injured starter Chester Taylor. He took full advantage of the opportunity and had a big first half gaining 105 yards and scoring two touchdowns. On the Vikings first drive of the game, Pinner got five carries for 17 yards, including a three yard touchdown run. On Minnesota’s second drive, he had a very nice 21 yard run to inside the Lions’ five yard line to set up his second touchdown. On the next play of the game, he scored on a four yard run. Pinner did have a costly fumble late in the second quarter when the Vikings were driving the ball again. Pinner only had 20 yards in the second half but, he got his third touchdown of the game on a one yard run early in the fourth quarter. The Vikings’ offensive line dominated the line of scrimmage and opened big holes for Pinner.

RB Ciatrick Fason, Rush: 6 - 28 - 0

Fason only got four carries for 21 yards in the first half as Artose Pinner saw most of the carries. He had two carries for seven yards in the second half. Fason had replaced Chester Taylor last week when he was knocked out of the game.

RB Mewelde Moore, Rush: 3 - 11 - 0, Rec: 2 - 18 - 0 (2 targets)

Moore only had two carries for 12 yards in the first half. He did have a nice catch for 13 yards and fought for a first down on the play to keep the Vikings drive alive on what was a third down play in the second quarter. He finished the half with two catches for 18 yards. Moore had an opportunity for a big play in the third quarter on deep pass down the sideline, but Brad Johnson overthrew him.

RB Chester Taylor

Taylor was not active in this game because of a rib injury he suffered in week 13.

WR Marcus Robinson, Rec: 3 - 45 - 0 (3 targets)

Robinson started out well catching a short pass across the middle and taking down the right side line for a 25 yard gain on the Vikings first drive. He would add two more catches for another 20 yards in the first half. The Minnesota passing game came to grinding halt in the second half and so did Robinson’s numbers. He did not catch a pass in the second half.

WR Troy Williamson, Rec: 3 - 23 - 0 (3 targets)

After being deactivated last week, Williamson saw the playing field once again this week. He had two catches for 17 yards in the first half and added one reception for six yards in the second half.

WR Billy McMullen, Rec: 1 - 13 - 0 (2 targets)

McMullen had a big reception for 13 yards and a first down in the third quarter. It was his only reception of the game.

WR Travis Taylor, Rec: 1 - 30 - 0 (2 targets)

Taylor caught a 30 yard pass on seam route up the middle in the second quarter for a first down. It was his only catch of the game.

TE Jermaine Wiggins, Rec: 1 - 6 - 0 (1 targets)

Wiggins caught a six yard pass to the Lions’ three yard line early in the second quarter. It would be his only reception of the game.

PK Ryan Longwell 1 - 1 FG, 3 - 3 XP, 6 points

Longwell did not convert the extra point on the Vikings’ third touchdown because of a bobbled hold during the kick. He hit a 30 yard field goal early in the third quarter. Longwell added two extra points in the game.

MIN Rush Defense

Minnesota rush had another great performance as they held the Lions to only negative three yards rushing. It was the second time this season the Vikings had held an opponent to negative yards rushing in a game. The Vikings defense line dominated the line scrimmage in this game. The Vikings recovered three fumbles in the game. The first fumble recovery was by defensive back Cedric Griffin in the first quarter. Darrion Scott stripped the ball from Jon Kitna and it was recovered by Kevin Williams early in the third quarter on the second fumble. Finally, E.J. Henderson recovered another Lions’ fumble in the third quarter.

MIN Pass Defense

The Vikings had three interceptions in the game. Minnesota got its second turnover of the first quarter when Dwight Smith intercepted the ball and brought it deep into Detroit territory. Cedric Griffin picked off Jon Kitna late in the third quarter and Darren Sharper added another interception late in the game.

QB Jon Kitna, Pass: 28 - 41 - 294 - 1 TD / 3 INT

Kitna and Lions’ offense struggled in the first half as he went nine for 14 for 80 yards in the half. The Lions had trouble converting third downs and keeping the offense on the field. Detroit rushed for -12 yards in the first half, which allowed the Vikings drop back in pass coverage and rush Kitna in obvious passing situation, making his job much more difficult. He didn’t get much help from his receivers as they had trouble hanging onto the ball. On the Lions’ second drive of the game; he threw a bad interception to Dwight Smith which eventually resulted in seven points for the Vikings.

The second half started poorly for Kitna as he had the ball stripped from him on the Lions’ first possession of the second half. His second turnover of the half came when Kitna tried to hit Roy Williams, but he threw it behind him, and the ball was tipped up and intercepted by Cedric Griffin. Kitna came back on the next drive and led the Lions down the field and hit Kevin Jones on 23 yard touchdown pass. Kitna threw his third interception of the game with about a minute left in the game. He did have much better numbers in the second half as he was 19 for 27 for 214 yards, but turnovers and lack of running game really hurt the team’s ability to put points on the board.

RB Kevin Jones, Rush: 9 - -3 - 0, Rec: 6 - 67 - 1 (6 targets)

Jones and the running game were completely shut down in the first half as he had negative 12 yards on three carries in the first half. He clearly seemed frustrated with their inability to run the ball as he drew two personal fouls in the half. It wasn’t a huge surprise to see the Vikings stop the run so effectively considering Minnesota were number one against the run and were only giving up 58 yards a game on the ground. Jones did have three receptions for 27 yards in the first half.

Jones didn’t have much more success in the second half running the ball, but did all of his damage as a receiver. In the fourth quarter, he caught a short pass out of the backfield and took it 23 yards for touchdown. He also caught a nice 18 yard pass up the middle in the fourth quarter. Jones had a good scoring opportunity late in the game as he tried to punch the ball in from the one yard line but was he stopped. Jones was hurt on the play and seemed to injure his foot or ankle. He had to be helped off the field and was carted to the locker room afterwards.

WR Mike Furrey, Rec: 9 - 84 - 0 (16 targets)

Furrey led the Lions with three catches for 33 yards in the first half. He had a huge fumble in the third quarter when the Lions were driving in Minnesota territory and also dropped a few balls he should have had caught. He had a nice 18 yard reception in the fourth quarter for a first down and seemed to be Jon Kitna most reliable target down the stretch as the Lions tried to rally from a ten point deficit. Furrey lead the team with nine receptions for 84 yards in the game.

WR Roy Williams, Rec: 6 - 73 - 0 (10 targets)

Williams had a tough start as he dropped a possible 20 yard completion and then fumbled away the ball on the very next play on the Lions’ first drive of the game. He only had one reception for seven yards in the first half as the Lions struggled converting first downs and keeping drives alive. He did have a nice 22 yard catch by using his height and going up and taking the ball away from the defender. His best catch came in the fourth quarter when he caught 19 yard pass on the sideline by going over the defender to get the ball and keeping his feet in bounds.

WR Corey Bradford, Rec: 5 - 40 - 0 (4 targets)

Bradford caught an eight yard pass to the Minnesota one yard line late in the fourth quarter and almost scored. He finished the game with five catches for 40 yards, with most of his yards coming in the second half.

TE Dan Campbell, Rec: 2 - 30 - 0 (2 targets)

Campbell’s longest reception was a 19 yard catch in the second half. He finished the game with two receptions for 30 yards.

PK Jason Hanson 2 - 2 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 8 points

Hanson hit a 53 yard field goal toward the end of the first half to cut the Vikings lead to 20-10. In the third quarter he made 45 yard field goal to help the Lions close within ten points of Minnesota. He also added two extra points in the game.

DET Rush Defense

Kenoy Kennedy recovered an Artose Pinner fumble late in the second quarter for the Lions’ only fumble recovery. The Lions were dominated on the line of scrimmage by the Minnesota offensive line as they gave up 172 yards on the ground.

DET Pass Defense

The Lions got a huge play by defensive back Jamar Fletcher in the second quarter when he took a Brad Johnson pass back 89 yards for touchdown to cut the Vikings lead to 20-7. Detroit also recorded one sack in the game.