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A Vikings squad that entered Week 9 arguably at its healthiest point of 2025 but without a single expert picking Minnesota to win at Detroit, welcomed first-year starting QB J.J. McCarthy back to the lineup.

The squad also appreciated the full returns to action by tackles Christian Darrisaw and Brian O'Neill on offense, and the return of outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, who seemed to have a ripple effect on an impressive defensive performance.

Throw in a couple of game-changers on special teams (and almost another one), and Minnesota won 27-24 for its first victory in the Motor City since the 2020 regular-season finale.

The Vikings snapped a five-game losing streak to the Lions that matched Detroit's longest run of success, which had been established during the first five games in series history.

And although Minnesota (4-4) is still looking up at the rest of the teams in the NFC North, the division got tighter Sunday after leader Green Bay (5-2-1) fell at home to Carolina (5-4). Detroit dropped to 5-3 on the season but has a tiebreaker over Chicago (5-3), which won in dramatic fashion at Cincinnati.

Up next is remarkably Minnesota's first instance of back-to-back noon (CT) Sunday games this season. The Vikings will host the Ravens (3-5) for the first time since 2017.

Let's get to some questions.

What a game. A quality win. So glad we finally beat the darn Lions! The difference in our J.J. McCarthy-led offense and the Carson Wentz-led offense over the past five games is just stunning — deep dark moonless night vs. bright sunny day — so refreshing to see. Both the offensive and defensive play improved greatly over our most recent games. Both squads came ready to compete, that is for sure. Red zone TDs, third-down conversions, and accurate passing on offense. Run defense, pressure and five sacks on Jared Goff, forcing multiple Lions three-and-outs on defense. Wow. I just wish we could cover Sam LaPorta on fourth downs? Below are my 3 Ups and 3 Downs for the game:

UPS:

1. Great kickoff return by Myles Price. And no dumb special teams penalty. Followed by the J.J.-led-answering TD drive! The third-and-10 conversion to beat the Lions blitz and the perfect throw to Justin Jefferson for the score. What a difference with J.J. back.

2. The Vikings defense at the end of the half. Normally we would allow any team to score at least a FG to tie us after the turnover with 45 seconds left before half. It was so fun to see our defense get the stop after what looked like a joint possession to Jalen Nailor but was ruled interception and preserve our first half lead.

3. Fourth quarter FG block and return by Isaiah Rodgers was huge. Too bad we couldn't put in the end zone.

4. Bonus coverage fourth UP: The first down throw in the fourth quarter to Nailor for the win!

DOWNS:

1. On the opening Lions drive it was fourth-and-4, and we give up a 40-yard TD? LaPorta just chewed up the Vikings defense on that possession? Just more examples defensive weakness on third/fourth downs. Hint for Vikings defense: Cover LaPorta.

2. I am so tired of our dumb and undisciplined special teams penalties. First, Felton for holding on a punt that is fair caught by Price. Then Tavierre Thomas with back-to-back special teams penalties with holding again on a kickoff return that takes a TD return off the board, followed by 15 yards for running and staying out of bounds on punt coverage? This is training camp stuff. But it keeps happening again and again? So disappointing that this an ongoing problem game after game after game. I wonder when and if our special teams coverage will ever stop aiding our opponents?

3. Poor clock management on the drive after the FG block. We should have had the clock at about 2-minute warning before going up by 10 points?

So glad we pulled it out. What a great game and game plan and execution by the Vikings! Looking forward to the Ravens already.

Respectfully,

— Jeff Ludwig

Good things happen when special teams can immediately shift the momentum that Detroit's offense seized on the opening drive and set up Minnesota's offense for a quick answer.

Good things also happen when the offense is able to score early multiple times and provide the defense the higher ground of playing with a lead.

I would start by pointing to the full returns of Darrisaw and O'Neill, as well as Minnesota not being ravaged by injuries along the line during the game as a key contributor.

With one handoff to Aaron Jones, Sr., the Vikings passed their first-half rushing total at the Chargers in Week 8 (11 yards to 10). Jones also opened Minnesota's second possession with a 14-yard run.

McCarthy's mobility offered something that defenses didn't have to account for with Wentz doing his best to pinch hit for five games.

McCarthy (or maybe Kevin O'Connell) will be the first to tell you there's plenty of room for growth and improvement on some of the finer points and executions, but the operation seemed much smoother than in Weeks 1 and 2, and some of the same swagger on display at the Bears was back in the mix. There was no hint of shrinking in big moments.

We'll hear from Brian Flores on Tuesday, with emphasis on a little bit of recap plus a look ahead to the challenge Baltimore offers, but that was a virtuoso performance after a disappointing outing in L.A.

That catch by Jefferson was elite. So was the placement of the football for the score and the game-sealer to Nailor.

Price's contributions on the game were immense and could have been even more had a 99-yard return for a touchdown not been erased by a holding penalty. He cranked out 164 yards on five kickoff returns for an average of 32.8.

The hold was tough because of what it negated, but that's more of a guy trying to make the block. The running out of bounds down the sideline is one that should not happen.

Kudos to Levi Drake Rodriquez, who recorded his first career sack and blocked the field goal. Credit Detroit punter/holder Jack Fox for taking a great angle to catch Rodgers at the Detroit 26.

That was such a big string of complementary football. After a penalty on Taylor Decker made it third-and-14 at the Minnesota 18, Jalen Redmond continued to shine with a 9-yard sack of Goff to create fourth-and-23.

That got the ball back to Minnesota with a 24-17 lead with 6:20 remaining in the game. The Vikings overcame a holding penalty with a creative run by Jordan Addison that gained 16 to the Detroit 15.

Jordan Mason followed with a run of 13 yards despite a defensive holding penalty that moved the ball to the 1. Mason's momentum carried him out of bounds with 4:26 to go. The Vikings, who were without tight end Josh Oliver and fullback C.J. Ham tried to punch the ball in with Mason, but the play lost a yard.

On second-and-2, the Vikings tried a pass to Jefferson in single coverage, but it was broken up by Terrion Arnold with a nice play on the football, stopping the clock at 3:40. O'Connell said the third-and-goal play was designed to be an extended play that eventually enabled a pass to T.J. Hockenson, but he got jammed up in traffic. McCarthy tried to scramble, but his momentum carried him out of bounds with 3:33.

Definitely would have been nice to burn more time, but the most important thing was making sure to get the field goal and make it a two-score game, which did happen.

It was going to be a physical game, no doubt about it. It was the type of game John Madden would call a "slobberknocker" as he never cared for the term "smashmouth". And I was very impressed with the way the Vikings rose to that challenge playing plenty of downs on the Lions side of the line of scrimmage. The roster was as close to full strength as it has been all year. Key players made key plays. Aaron Jones had some key runs and catches before leaving (with yet another injury). Hockenson scored a TD against his former team. Jets Jefferson continued his abuse of Detroit with a TD of his own. And J.J. McCarthy showed his improvisation skills running another one in for a score.

It was also going to be a game where contributions from all three phases would be needed. The defense got a needed turnover and stymied the Detroit running game to a tune of 65 total yards. The pass rush garnered 5 sacks and 11 QB hits against one of the top offensive lines in the NFL. Special teams contributed with a blocked field goal and some impressive kick returns by Myles Price who has brought back the element of electricity and danger to the Vikings return game. And when was the last time the Vikings were this deep into a season without a cringe in the field goal/extra point game? Will Reichard has proven worthy of a draft pick.

Coach O'Connell will find areas to work on. McCarthy still has some minor accuracy issues. Not a red flag. I wouldn't even call it a yellow flag. Chartreuse perhaps? The interception, which I though Nailor caught by trapping it to his leg as he went down, needed to be in front of the receiver. How did Isaiah Rodgers get caught from behind? By the punter, no less? And again, a TD reception with Joshua Metellus seemingly in closest coverage to the receiver. I still believe the very valuable safety is being successfully targeted for big plays, and that must get resolved.

Still, as I conclude with another John Maddenism, winning is a great deodorant. The Vikings went into Detroit and came out with a convincing win despite the close score and last-minute almost-heroics by the Lions. We knew the North would be a battle. The Vikings showed today they absolutely remain a formidable team in that race.

Skol!

— Jeff K. in Sacramento, California

That opening drive for 72 yards with 66 (including a 40-yard TD on fourth-and-4) was an auspicious start, but the Vikings defense didn't allow more than 35 yards on any of Detroit's next seven possessions and forced five punts, which tied a season-high by the Lions.

Minnesota racked up four forced three-and-outs and also forced a fumble (by Blake Cashman, who was everywhere Sunday) that was recovered by Harrison Smith during that stretch.

The Vikings did score a touchdown after that critical takeaway.

I had this game as an "L" when the season started. And after the last two weeks, I figured I picked correctly. But I was wrong again. I forgot what it feels like to win in Detroit — it's been so long. Finally. It was nice to hear J.J. say he wasn't too proud of the win in his presser. Coming away with the "W" is always nice, but they clearly have work to do. The defense really surprised me with the way they've been playing. So that was a welcome surprise. Special teams stepped up, too, with the blocked field goal. Too bad the holding call ruined Myles' return TD. Mistakes need to be cleaned up. We're still not a good team, but there's hope if we keep progressing. Next week will be tough, and I hope I'm wrong again.

SKOL!

— J.B. Brunet in Texas

Even though the World Series ended Saturday night with the team that everyone expected to win it all back in March winning it all, there's a reason why the games are played.

I think the Vikings are an improving team that has had to deal with a bevy of injuries on both sides of the football. Being .500 through eight games probably wasn't the initial hope of many, but the ability to tread water through some significantly choppy waves has the Vikings in position to continue to improve.

I can't underscore how valuable Van Ginkel and Cashman are in Flores system, but there were so many Vikings players who elevated on Sunday. Javon Hargrave, Jonathan Allen and Redmond were among those winning up front and enabling successful interior blitzes by Cashman, Eric Wilson and Ivan Pace, Jr.

Great win…hope restored. Thank you! Two things guys: 1) Can we run through the guy and wrap up when we tackle? And 2) Would it hurt to play more nasty and physical on the goal line? We should be able to punch it in from the 1-yard line EVERY TIME!!

SKOL!!

— NJVikesFan

Goff somehow eluded a sack that wasn't fully wrapped, but I think for the most part the tackling was a little better because the Vikings were clogging rush lanes and getting multiple hats to the football.

Limiting that ground attack to 65 yards is stellar.

I mentioned Oliver and Ham not being available earlier. Those two guys are pretty helpful in short-yardage situations and could have activated a couple of opportunities in the passing game.

I felt the need to write back again. It was great to see a win like this after last week's performance. Last week I wrote about the disheartening performance we saw. Although we definitely need to see consistency, this week was for sure a positive. It was great to see McCarthy out there performing well and looking healthy. Even as things looked suspect, I was still positive due to the play from McCarthy. I really hope they can keep it up because even if we don't win every week, if we can play with that sort of energy and discipline every week, it will at least be positive.

Glad to see signs of hope,

— Slam in Alabama

Welcome back under far different circumstances. Now that the schedule is reaching a bit of continuity with several Sunday-to-Sunday contests, it will be interesting to see if the Vikings can implement a bit more consistency, which should continue to help a young QB.

Wow, huge division win on the road! Hopefully that will catapult this team and fill them with confidence. All phases played great for the most part. There are a few areas for improvement still. Can't let teams convert third-and-long, can't give up chunks on third down knowing Detroit doesn't punt or settle for 3 points. Have to stop the big plays on fourth down. Get off the field!

Offensively, still taking sacks and penalties at terrible times. We need to get plays and personnel in quicker. Taking the play clock down to 1 or 2 seconds allows the defense to time up the snap and get easy pressure.

Was nice to see a big kick return not get called back today. And can someone please tell us what is & isn't a catch. Three plays this year overturned now, at least two of them were clean catches.

Thank you!

— Roman, Much happier in Grand Forks, North Dakota

It seems like determination of catches is getting murkier. At least this week's catch by the Vikings that was overturned did not occur on a touchdown. For all it's grandeur, football can still become a game of inches.

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