Vikings Win Second Game of the Year in low scoring Thriller

The Minnesota Vikings beat the Detroit Lions today, but by a last second field goal. Final score was 19-17 Vikings.

Minnesota:
QB: 
K. Cousins 25/34 275 yds 8.1 avg 1 TD 1 INT 2 sacks 94.6 rtg

RB:
A. Mattison 25 car 113 yds 4.5 avg 28 long (7 rec 40 yds 1 TD)

WR:
J. Jefferson 7 rec 124 yds 17.7 avg 37 long
A. Thielen 2 rec 40 yds 20.0 avg 21 long
T. Conklin 2 rec 25 yds 12.5 avg 16 long
D. Westbrook 3 rec 18 yds 6.0 avg 6 long

DEF:
J. Lynch 1 fumble recovery
E. Griffen 2 sacks
D. Hunter 1 sack
DJ Wonnum 1 sack
E. Kendricks 1 interception

K: 
G. Joseph 4/5 FG (38, 38, 55, 54) 1/1 XP

Game Summary:
This was a game the Vikings should have dominated from start to finish. It turned into a defensive game.  The teams traded field goals to start the game. Then the Vikings were able to recover a fumble forced on Goff for their second possession of the game that led to another field goal. The Lions punted next. On the next Vikings possession they drove down and scored on a screen pass from Cousins to Mattison.
They pretty much kept this lead for most of the game. They went to halftime and traded punts for most of the second half. The Vikings were able to break through in the middle of the 4th quarter and kicked another field goal. However, the Lions marched down and scored their first touchdown of the day. They also got the 2-point conversion and took their first lead of the game. That left the Vikings 49 seconds to go. That is too much time for Kirk Cousins this year, he marched the Vikings down and gave Greg Joseph the chance to kick the game-winning field goal. He kicked it good from 54 yards out! 

Overall the Vikings played well in the first half. The defense had a great day, partly with the return of Anthony Barr. Its good to see the defense have a good day, then again against a lesser opponent. The offense struggled in the second half. Kirk threw a pass that bounced off Adam Thielen and got picked off. Just sputtered for most of it. 
That needs to change against better opponents.

Injury Report
Dalvin Cook did not play today with his ankle still bothering him. 

NFC North Update
The Packers won today so they stay atop the division at 4-1. The Bears beat the Raiders today so they move to 3-2. The Vikings will stay at 3rd until they can beat Chicago. 

Up Next
Next the Vikings go on the road to visit the 3-2 Carolina Panthers. Kickoff is on October 17th at 12 PM CT.

#SKOL