Things did not go the Vikings way at all on Sunday afternoon. They lost to the Detroit Lions by a score of 34-23 and it wsn’t very fun.
The Lions took a slower, more methodical approach to take over the game, but they were able to get it accomplished. The Vikings had chances to both stay in the game and even take control, but they made too many mistakes.
It’s also fair to note that the Vikings were without three of their starters and it showed early and often. Here are the week 14 studs and duds.
Stud: Justin Jefferson
The Lions chose not to sell out to stop Jefferson and it paid off on the statsheet. The Vikings weren’t quite able to maximize his great performance, and it was tremendous. The 223 yards were the most in team history, surpassing Sammy White. Jefferson is doing everything he can to stay in the race for the receiving lards leader in the National Football League.
Dud: Cam Bynum
The Vikings defense allowed a staggering 468 yards on Sunday against the Lions, but there was a 42 yard play that set the tone for the rest of the game that was a big issue. Jameson Williams got behind Camryn Bynum with ease. The Vikings were in quarters coverage and the dig route opposite of Williams sucked in Bynum to where he didn’t carry with Williams as his assignment dictated. The Vikings were missing Harrison Smith on Sunday and it really showed.
Dud: Cameron Dantzler
This was his first game back after suffer a high ankle sprain on against the Washington Commanders in week nine. The reports were that he was healthy and it certainly looked like he wasn’t quite up to full speed. The Lions beat Dantzler over the top on their second touchdown with D.J. Chark just running right past him. Speed has never been his game, but Dantzler is so much better than this.
Dud: Dalvin Cook
Despite multiple attempts to get the running game going, the Vikings couldn’t get it up and running. The Vikings 17 times for a grand total of 22 yards, while Cook personally went 15 for 23. The biggest play of the game came from Cook, as Kevin O’Connell called a running back pop pass. Johnny Mundt was wide open, but Cook felt pressure and fumbled the ball. It was recovered by the Lions and the Vikings went into halftime shortly thereafter by seven.
Stud: Kirk Cousins
The Minnesota Vikings needed their quarterback to be at his best and that’s exactly what Cousins did. He completed 30/40 for 400 yards and two touchdowns and ended up being the best player on the field for Minnesota. Cousins was calm in the pocket and delivered an accurate football consistently. The offensive line didn’t do him any favors, but Cousins did his part.
Dud: Austin Schlottmann
The Vikings were missing three starters on Sunday and all of their absences were impactful. With center Garrett Bradbury out, Austin Schlottmann got the start and you could see the difference. Schlottmann got knocked off his block a few times and had a critical false start penalty early in the game.
