Positives and negatives in the Vikings' first loss of 2024

What an epic battle. Our defense could not and did not stop the Lions in the second and third quarters. But boy, did they stiffen up in the fourth quarter – until it counted? I wish someone could have put a hat on Gibbs at the end, otherwise our 4 minute offense could have won the day. Here are my 3 ups and 3 downs for the game:

1. Great start. First defensive stop of the Vikings in a row. We stopped Dan Campbell's fake punt attempt. Great job defense. Followed by Aaron Jones' TD run.

2. Great scoring effort with a TD pass from Sam Darnold to Justin Jefferson to start the second half. They needed this and were executed to get it. Nicely done.

3. Punch-out in the fourth quarter by (Joshua) Metellus and the scoop and score by (Ivan Pace, Jr.) to take the lead. Wow.

1. I hate the long-standing and persistent problem of wasting timeouts – especially after big third-down conversions on offense. Five minutes left in the first quarter and we're out of timeouts? I wish they would fix it. Sooner or later it will hit us hard.

2. Disastrous second quarter for the Vikings on both sides of the ball. On defense, we couldn't stop the Lions from running or passing, couldn't force a FG attempt at the end of the half and allowed three touchdowns. We were unable to score consistently on offense. Losses of the ball, penalties and short possessions – a weak and ineffective offensive performance? I expect some effective adjustments in the second half.

3. It's a shame we couldn't get the third-down conversion or the 2-point conversion at the 2:41 mark.

I'm looking forward to the Rams on Thursday!

The season will continue to evolve, but I think “epic battle” is an apt description for a Week 7 contest that gave the Vikings and Lions a rare event of such significance.

I think everyone realizes by now that Campbell will try fourth down from wherever he is and has never seen a fake or trick play he didn't like.

Minnesota played complementary football at times (but not enough) on Sunday, converting the special teams play into a rushing touchdown – a 34-yarder by Jones on the second play of the game.

The Vikings were close to committing a turnover early and later in the quarter, forcing Jared Goff into two fumbles. The quarterback recovered one after being sacked by Jonathan Greenard, and center Frank Ragnow recovered the ball after being knocked away from Goff during a sack by Andrew Van Ginkel.