The Lions got on the board early in the second quarter on their third possession of the contest on a 45-yard Jahmyr Gibbs touchdown run off the right side. Gibbs had been so close to breaking a big run in previous weeks but just couldn’t make that last man miss. That wasn’t the case here as he put an inside move on Vikings safety Camryn Bynum that left him reaching for air. It was the longest run of his young career and his third straight game with a rushing touchdown.
After forcing a punt on Minnesota’s next possession, Detroit took their first lead of the contest when Goff found a wide-open Amon-Ra St. Brown streaking down the right seam for a 35-yard score and a 14-10 Lions’ lead.
Detroit added to the lead right before the half with Gibbs’ second touchdown run of the afternoon, this one from eight yards out. Gibbs finished with 116 rushing yards on just 15 attempts (7.7 avg.).
The Lions opened this game by facing their first double-digit deficit of the season and went into halftime handing Minnesota their first double-digit deficit of the season. The Vikings had trailed for only three minutes and 26 seconds all season coming into the contest.
Minnesota trimmed Detroit’s lead to 21-17 on their opening possession of the second half on a 25-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Sam Darnold to wide receiver Justin Jefferson that capped off a nine-play, 80-yard drive.
Detroit responded with their fourth straight touchdown drive finished off with a 21-yard pass from Goff to wide receiver Kalif Raymond to give the Lions a 28-17 lead.
Minnesota chipped closer with 42 and 48-yard field goals in the fourth quarter to trim Detroit’s lead to 28-23 with six minutes left.
Trying to milk out the rest of the clock with the lead late, Montgomery had the ball knocked out of his hands by Vikings safety Josh Metellus at the Lions’ 35-yard line. It was picked up by linebacker Ivan Pace. Jr. at the Detroit 36-yard line and returned for a touchdown to give the Vikings a 29-28 lead. Minnesota missed the two-point try following the touchdown, which loomed large.
Detroit’s defense did their part forcing a late three and out to give the offense a chance at redemption.
Goff then drove the Lions 44 yards on eight plays to set up the Bates game-winner late.
