Overview
- Back from a six-week ankle absence, J.J. McCarthy went 14-of-25 for 143 yards with two TDs, one interception and a rushing score, and he iced the game with a late third-down completion to Jalen Nailor.
- Tom Brady named McCarthy the LFG Player of the Game, and the second-year quarterback delivered an expletive-laced celebratory sign-off during the postgame interview.
- Detroit’s offensive line faltered under Brian Flores’ pressure, allowing five sacks and a 56% pressure rate, with interior issues compounded by injuries that have thinned depth.
- Turnovers and special-teams errors proved pivotal for the Lions, including a David Montgomery fumble, a blocked field goal and a 61-yard Vikings kick return that helped stake Minnesota to a lead.
- After a season-high 10 penalties for 76 yards, Dan Campbell said he did not have the team ready post-bye, as local analysis urged front-office action for offensive-line help ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline; Minnesota moved to 4-4 and Detroit fell to 5-3.