Minnesota Vikings kicker Greg Joseph (1) and his teammates celebrate after Joseph kicks a 54-yard field goal as time expires to defeat the Detroit Lions on Oct. 10, 2021 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron – USA Today Sports
Greg Joseph kicked a 54-yard field goal as time expired and the Minnesota Vikings escaped after squandering a late 10-point lead, beating the winless Detroit Lions 19-17 in Minneapolis on Sunday.
A pair of pass plays from Kirk Cousins to Adam Thielen totaling 40 yards set up the winning kick. Detroit had gone ahead with 37 seconds remaining on D’Andre Swift’s scoring run and a two-point conversion pass.
Minnesota (2-3) defeated Detroit (0-5) for the eighth consecutive time.
Alexander Mattison rushed for 113 yards and also caught a touchdown pass from Cousins. Mattison started in place of Dalvin Cook, who was inactive due to an ankle injury. Cousins completed 25 of 34 passes for 275 yards.
Jared Goff passed for 203 yards for the Lions, who also lost to Baltimore on a last-second field goal this season. Swift had a combined 104 yards rushing and receiving.
The Vikings took a 13-6 halftime lead.
The Lions struck first on Austin Seibert’s 39-yard field goal.
Joseph tied it with a 38-yard field goal on Minnesota’s first possession.
Following a Detroit turnover, Joseph connected on another 38-yard try.
The first touchdown came on an 88-yard drive. Justin Jefferson had receptions of 14 and 22 yards, setting up Cousins’ 15-yard scoring strike to Mattison.
The Lions cut their deficit to seven points on Seibert’s 52-yard field goal during the final minute of the half.
Joseph drilled a 55-yard field goal with 4:28 remaining to give the Vikings a two-possession cushion. Cousins completed five passes on that drive.
Goff was sacked on consecutive plays on Detroit’s next possession as it turned the ball over on downs.
The Lions made it a seven-point game with 2:30 remaining on Seibert’s 40-yard field goal.
A Mattison fumble with 1:56 left at his own 20-yard line, recovered by Jalen Reeves-Maybin, gave the Lions another chance. They took advantage on Swift’s 7-yard run up the middle. KhaDarel Hodge caught Goff’s heave near the back of the end zone to put the Lions ahead 17-16.
–Field Level Media, via Reuters
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