Lions vs. Vikings: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not After Big Win

The Detroit Lions emerged victorious over the Minnesota Vikings, 31-29, in a game that started rough but ended well. Let's look at who shined and who struggled. Jared Goff, the Lions' quarterback, had a stellar game. He completed 22 out of 25 passes for 280 yards and 2 touchdowns. Even when blitzed, Goff stayed calm and made great throws. This isn't a one-time thing; he's been consistent against the Vikings' defensive coordinator, Brian Flores. On the flip side, Kayode Awosika, who stepped in at guard, had a tough start. He was called for holding penalties early on. While he improved as the game went on, it was a reality check after his standout performance in Week 3. Trevor Nowaske, a linebacker, had an impressive game. He made 5 tackles, including a tackle for loss and a sack. He's been filling in for injured players and performing well against strong offenses like the Vikings. Terrion Arnold, a cornerback, had a mixed day. He did well against top receivers but made a rookie mistake in run support that cost the team. Overall, his pass defense improved, keeping his stock neutral. Jahmyr Gibbs, the running back, stepped up big time. With David Montgomery injured, Gibbs carried the load, averaging 7. 7 yards per carry and scoring 2 touchdowns. He showed versatility, breaking tackles and making plays in space. The offensive line, especially Taylor Decker and Graham Glasgow, had a rough day. They struggled against the Vikings' strong defensive line. Decker had one of his worst games, and Glasgow was often a step behind. Other notable performances include Josh Paschal, who stepped up on the defensive line despite injury, and Jake Bates, who made a crucial field goal. Malcolm Rodriguez and Brian Branch also had solid games on defense. On the downside, Isaac Ukwu and James Houston didn't make much of an impact and may see their roles change.