Detroit 19
Minnesota 22

SCORING


 
 

 
FINAL 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final
Detroit1432019
Minnesota7001522
 
Scoring
1st Quarter
DETTDEDDIE DRUMMOND 92 YD KICKOFF RETURN (JASON HANSON KICK), 0:12
DETROIT 7-0
MINTDJERMAINE WIGGINS 8 YD PASS FROM DAUNTE CULPEPPER (MORTEN ANDERSEN KICK), 1:42
Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards in 1:30
Key Plays:
  Culpepper 61-yard pass to Campbell plus 10-yard roughing-the- passer penalty on Lions' Redding to Detroit 9
DETROIT 7-7
DETTDSTEPHEN ALEXANDER 1 YD PASS FROM JOEY HARRINGTON (JASON HANSON KICK), 9:07
Drive: 14 plays, 60 yards in 7:25
Key Plays:
  Harrington 2-yard run on 3rd-and-1 to Minnesota 49
  Harrington 11-yard pass to Williams to Minnesota 38
  Harrington 9-yard run on 3rd-and-8 to Minnesota 27
  Jones 12-yard run to Minnesota 14
  Harrington 10-yard pass to Alexander to Minnesota 2
DETROIT 14-7
2nd Quarter
DETFGJASON HANSON 48 YD, 11:27
Drive: 12 plays, 62 yards in 6:27
Key Plays:
  Jones 16-yard run to Detroit 24
  Harrington 15-yard pass to Fitzsimmons on 3rd-and-9 to Detroit 40
  Jones 15-yard run to Minnesota 24
DETROIT 17-7
3rd Quarter
DETSFONTERRIO SMITH TACKLED BY CORY REDDING IN END ZONE, 5:31
DETROIT 19-7
4th Quarter
MINTDNATE BURLESON 6 YD PASS FROM DAUNTE CULPEPPER (DAUNTE CULPEPPER PASS TO NATE BURLESON FOR TWO-POINT CONVERSION), 0:43
Drive: 17 plays, 78 yards in 8:11
Key Plays:
  Culpepper 11-yard run on 3rd-and-5 to Minnesota 38
  Williams 11-yard run on 3rd-and-2 to Detroit 30
  Williams 3-yard run on 3rd-and-1 to Detroit 18
  Culpepper 7-yard pass to Burleson on 3rd-and-3 to Detroit 4
DETROIT 19-15
MINTDMOE WILLIAMS 1 YD RUN (MORTEN ANDERSEN KICK), 9:33
Drive: 13 plays, 62 yards in 6:30
Key Plays:
  Culpepper 16-yard pass to Burleson to Detroit 46
  Culpepper 13-yard pass to Bennett to Detroit 38
  Culpepper 1-yard run on 3rd-and-1 to Detroit 36
  Smith 12-yard run to Detroit 24
  Culpepper 14-yard pass to Williams on 3rd-and-12 to Detroit 1
MINNESOTA 22-19
 
Statistics
Passing
Lions Att Cmp Yds Td Int Lg
Harrington, Joey1912911121
Vikings Att Cmp Yds Td Int Lg
Culpepper, Daunte32222332161
Rushing
Lions Att Yds Avg Lg Td
Jones, Kevin191005.3160
Bryson, Shawn2199.5130
Harrington, Joey4174.390
Drummond, Eddie199.090
Schlesinger, Cory111.010
Vikings Att Yds Avg Lg Td
Culpepper, Daunte11353.2110
Bennett, Michael11302.780
Smith, Onterrio8273.4120
Williams, Moe4153.8111
Receiving
Lions Rec Yds Avg Lg Td
Alexander, Stephen4276.8101
Jones, Kevin300.060
Williams, Roy2199.5110
Streets, Tai12121.0210
Fitzsimmons, Casey11515.0150
Bryson, Shawn199.090
Vikings Rec Yds Avg Lg Td
Wiggins, Jermaine8516.491
Burleson, Nate55210.4161
Bennett, Michael3279.0130
Williams, Moe22110.5140
Smith, Onterrio2147.0100
Campbell, Kelly16161.0610
Robinson, Marcus177.070
Tackles-Solo-Assists Sacks-Yds (unofficial)
Lions T S A Sk-Yd
Holmes, Earl7610-0
Marion, Brock7610-0
Lehman, Teddy7610-0
Walker, Bracy6510-0
Lewis, Alex6420-0
Bryant, Fernando5410-0
Rogers, Shaun4400-0
Bell, Marcus4400-0
Hall, James3302-17
Davis, James3211-4
Smith, Keith2200-0
Bly, Dre2110-0
Pritchett, Kelvin1100-0
Edwards, Kalimba1100-0
Redding, Cory1100-0
DeVries, Jared1100-0
Curry, Donte'1010-0
Vikings T S A Sk-Yd
Henderson, E.J.7610-0
Winfield, Antoine6600-0
Chavous, Corey6510-0
Johnstone, Lance5413-24
Russell, Brian4310-0
Newman, Keith4310-0
Johnson, Spencer4310-0
Williams, Kevin3300-0
Martin, Steve3120-0
Udeze, Kenechi3120-0
Offord, Willie2110-0
Claiborne, Chris2020-0
Team, -1100-0
Williams, Brian1100-0
Mixon, Kenny1010-0
Hovan, Chris1010-0
Thomas, Dontarrious1010-0
Interceptions
Lions INT Yds Avg Lg Td
Marion, Brock177.070
Vikings INT Yds Avg Lg Td
Winfield, Antoine133.030
Punting
Lions No. Yds Avg TB In20 Lg
Harris, Nick624941.50347
Vikings No. Yds Avg TB In20 Lg
Bennett, Darren416240.50151
Punt Returns
Lions No. Yds Avg Lg Td
Drummond, Eddie3124.090
Vikings No. Yds Avg Lg Td
Burleson, Nate4133.340
Kickoff Returns
Lions No. Yds Avg Lg Td
Drummond, Eddie415639.0921
Bryson, Shawn11414.0140
Vikings No. Yds Avg Lg Td
Smith, Onterrio24020.0230
Campbell, Kelly11717.0170
Kicking
Lions XP/XPA FG/FGA Dist(Made/Fail)
Hanson, Jason2/21/148 
Vikings XP/XPA FG/FGA Dist(Made/Fail)
Andersen, Morten2/20/0
Officials
Referee- Ed Hochuli, Umpire- Steve Wilson, Head linesman- Mark Hittner, Line judge- Tom Symonette, Field judge- Tom Sifferman, Side judge- Al Riveron, Back judge- Scott Helverson
Attendance - Time
64,156 ; 3:05
Team Statistics LionsVikings
First downs1322
Rushing810
Passing510
Penalty02
3rd-Down Efficiency4 - 118 - 15
4th-Down Efficiency0 - 00 - 1
Total Net Yards213319
Total Plays4969
Average Gains4.34.6
Net Yards Rushing146107
Rushes2734
Average Per Rush5.43.1
Net Yards Passing67212
Completed-Attempted12 - 1922 - 32
Yards Per Pass3.06.1
Sacked-Yards Lost3 - 243 - 21
Had Intercepted11
Punts-Average6 - 41.54 - 40.5
Return Yardage1916
Punts-Returns3 - 124 - 13
Kickoffs-Returns5 - 1703 - 57
Interceptions-Returns1 - 71 - 3
Penalties-Yards9 - 1167 - 51
Fumbles-Lost0 - 00 - 0
Time Of Possession27:3632:24

News: 11/22/04

Humbled after another testimonial to their ineptitude, the Lions walked back to their locker room as if in a catatonic state. It was an emotionless, expressionless funeral march until Damien Woody broke the silence, slamming his helmet against the door and yelling how he has never felt this old before in his life.

It was a tale of two halves for the Lions again. They won the first, but not the second:

It's obviously difficult for the man. He's not accustomed to his season basically ending before Thanksgiving.

"It's like we're bipolar and we forgot to take our medicine," Woody said.

The Lions are beyond a doctor's care. It's time to call the priest to administer last rites for 2004. They're strictly in evaluation mode now for 2005.

This one was lost when the Lions still held a fourth-quarter lead over Minnesota. They sensed approaching trouble. There was a deflated look on their sideline. There was confusion on the field. They even had to a burn a final time-out because Joey Harrington couldn't communicate the snap count to his center in the raucous din that is the Metrodome.

But everyone can hear this.

The Lions haven't shaken their losers' mentality. They're younger. They're faster. But they can't trust anybody to make a play when absolutely necessary on either side of the ball.

The Vikings didn't even need their quick-strike offensive capabilities for their 22-19 victory. They beat the Lions by marching methodically down the field on their final two scoring drives.

The only time the Lions stopped them on third down, the Vikings were flagged for offensive pass interference. Instead of a fourth down at the 5, the Lions opted to put the Vikings in a third-and-12 at the 15.

You guessed it.

Daunte Culpepper found Moe Williams for 14 yards, giving the Vikings the ball at the Lions' 1. Two plays later, Williams scored the winning touchdown.

The Vikings ran 41 offensive plays in the second half to the Lions' 16.

Harrington deemed his two-week slump over, but precisely how does a 91-yard passing day suggest improvement?

Nine penalties for 116 yards don't indicate any sense of a team learning how to win.

Any grace period Steve Mariucci merited for becoming the first coach in Lions' history that other NFL teams actually coveted is over. There were moments Sunday that this team didn't look much different from the comedy of errors of his predecessor, Marty Mornhinweg.

Are you sure this team was once 4-2?

"That's what it said in the standings," said wide receiver Roy Williams, "but you couldn't tell that now. It seems like forever since we were 4-2. And now we can't get off four. It's like when you're playing Monopoly and you stay in jail because you can't roll doubles."

Rookies come to the Lions untouched by the team history's stain, but it doesn't take long for the unsightly blemishes to emerge when the present intersects with the parody that is this franchise's past.

And the frustration is beginning to take its toll on the young star. It wasn't that long ago that Williams was the hottest rookie in the league, but now the plays aren't coming with any regularity for him. He dropped one pass and got nailed for a pass interference deep in Minnesota territory on another.

"I didn't get the call because I'm not Randy Moss or T.O. (Terrell Owens)," Williams said. "I'm a rookie, that's why. What kind of call was that? We should have had the ball at the 1. Give it to Kevin Jones. We're leading, 21-7, and we're not looking back."

He shakes his head at what might have been.

You can stop the premature playoff talk. It's now a question of the Lions keeping their heads above the rising water long enough to determine who deserves to remain here next season. Each loss only highlights holes, like the secondary, on this team that a month ago many hoped were filled.

Woody is new to all this instability as well.

"I'm serious," he pleaded. "In all my years of playing, I've never seen a year like this. It's unbelievable. I've never seen so many different ways of losing. It's like we find a new way to do it every week. I don't know what to think. It's incredible."

Since I'm a sensitive and compassionate soul, I placed a sympathetic hand of the big fella's shoulder and exploded in laughter.

Congratulations, Mr. Woody, you are now officially a Detroit Lion, and here are your parting gifts -- parting from one's sanity, that is.

RECAP:

Even without his best receiver, Daunte Culpepper rallied the Minnesota Vikings.

Culpepper engineered back-to-back touchdown drives that took nearly 15 minutes off the clock in the second half as the Vikings snapped a three-game losing streak with a 22-19 victory over the Detroit Lions.

After Detroit took a 19-7 lead on a safety 5:31 into the third quarter, Culpepper led the Vikings (6-4) on a 17-play, 81-yard drive that culminated in a six-yard touchdown pass to Nate Burleson. Culpepper found Burleson again for the two-point conversion.

"After the safety, Daunte told us it was no time to drop our heads, let's focus on the next drive," said Burleson, who had five catches for 52 yards on the heels of a career-high 11 receptions for 141 yards last week against Green Bay. "We just wanted to get points on the board, that was the most important thing at that point."

On the Vikings' next possession, Moe Williams plunged in from one yard out to cap a 13-play, 62-yard drive that spanned 6 1/2 minutes and gave the Vikings their first lead. Culpepper hooked up with Williams on a 14-yard pass that gave Minnesota 1st-and-goal from the 1.

"I rolled out and Moe did what a smart football player and a veteran football player is supposed to do and rolled out with me," Culpepper said. "I'm glad I'm on a team with him, because he's a fighter."

Culpepper completed 22-of-32 passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns for Minnesota, which improved to 5-0 against Detroit under coach Mike Tice.

The Vikings again played without superstar receiver Randy Moss, who has missed the last three games with a strained hamstring. He is expected to return next week.

"I'm tickled he's coming back," Culpepper said of Moss' probable return next week. "People better watch out, because he's coming back strong."

Vikings defensive end Lance Johnstone sacked Joey Harrington three times, increasing his season total to eight. His third sack forced the Lions to punt with 4:24 remaining.

"Technically, I wasn't supposed to do what I did on that play," Johnstone said. "I had contain on the outside, but the guy overset and I had a chance to go underneath on him. (Tice's) rule is 'if you do something like that, you better make the play.'"

Cornerback Antoine Winfield intercepted Harrington with 1:32 left to seal the Vikings' first win since a 20-3 victory over Tennessee on October 24.

"(Safety Brian Russell) tipped me off before the play," Winfield said. "They had been running the same thing the second and third quarters, and I had a chance to jump on it."

Harrington completed 12-of-19 passes for just 91 yards for the Lions (4-6), who will take a four-game losing streak into their matchup with the Indianapolis Colts on Thanksgiving.

Tight end Stephen Alexander caught a one-yard touchdown - just his second score since 2000 - with 5:53 left in the first quarter to give Detroit a 14-7 lead. Hanson added a 48-yard field goal with 3:43 remaining in the second to extend the Lions lead to 10 points.

Rookie Kevin Jones rushed for 100 yards on 19 carries, but had just five rushing yards in the second half for Detroit.

"We played well in the first half and had it rolling," Harrington said. "They got it rolling in the second half and took it to the end of the game."

Detroit's Eddie Drummond, who became the first player in NFL history with two fourth-quarter punt returns for touchdowns last week against Jacksonville, returned the opening kickoff 92 yards for a score.

It took the Vikings just 1:30 to answer, however, as Culpepper connected with tight end Jermaine Wiggins on an eight-yard TD. Wiggins, who caught eight passes for 51 yards, and Burleson have stepped up in the absence of Moss.

Scott's Game Commentary:

This was the loss that will finally close the door on any miraculous chance the Lions had of salving the season. And they did it in typical honolulu blue and silver fashion: boneheaded penalties and terrible coaching. The game could not have gotten off to a better start as Eddie Drummond scored his third touchdown in two games as he gave the Lions a quick 7-0 lead. That did not last long as the Vikings quickly tied the game. After another great return by Drummond, the Offense had their only touchdown drive of the game. Kevin Jones, who was stellar in the 1st half, got his first 100 yard rushing day in his career and helped setup a Hanson field goal to give the Lions a 10 point half time lead. After Nick Harris had a rarity, a good punt, Cory Redding nailed Vikings RB Ontario Smith in the end zone to give the Lions a 19-7 lead. With a chance to put the game away, the Offense fell flat on their faces. After Roy Williams made a nice catch at the 2 yard line, the zebras flagged him for a ticky tack offensive pass interference call. The very next play Harrington, who yet again struggled with his accuracy, actually threw a perfect strike to Williams in the end zone. The result, another drop pass and a blown opportunity. On the ensuing punt, Harris had them pinned deep but 2nd year WR David Kircus ran right into the returner as he was signaling for a fair catch. That was just one of many 9 penalties for 116 yards that got the Vikings Offense rolling. Without Moss, the Vikings are a completely different team. Still, Culpepper managed to pull the Vikings within four. That's when Steve Maricucci transformed into Marty Mornhinweig. Three straight running plays forced a three and out. After the Vikings moved down field, they were faced with a 3rd and 2 at the 7 yard line. Culpepper’s pass was ruled incomplete and that setup a 4th and 2. Since Tice already gambled and lost on 4th down earlier, it would seem they would kick the field goal with plenty of time left in the 4th. But, there was a 10 yard offensive pass interference call. As Mornhinweig would have done, Mariucci took the penalty. I just about lost when he accepted the penalty. Instead of the Vikings kicking a field goal and still being down one, Mooch gave the Vikings another chance. And sure enough: Culpepper runs outside the pocket and finds Moe Williams for a first down at the 2 yard line that resulted in the game winning touchdown. The next drive Harrington threw an interception and the Lions found yet another way to blow the game and a 12 point 4th quarter lead.

Grades:

*Offense: --- D-. The running game was stellar in the 1st half as Kevin Jones finally was able to get more than a few yards per carry. The Vikings have though one of the worst run defenses in the NFL. Harrington, after having two horrendous games, looked sharp on the first drive that gave the Lions a 14-7 lead. But, he reverted back to the QB that is looking to be another 1st round flop. Harrington had a whopping 91 yards passing and his interception with late in the 4th quarter sealed the defeat for the Lions. WR Roy Williams has completely fallen apart after injuring his ankle several games ago. His drop in the end zone and offensive pass interference was another reason the Lions lost the game. Kevin Jones also had a brain fart in the 4th. Facing a 3rd and 2 in the 4th quarter, the Lions called time out but Jones was called for a unsportsmanlike conduct and that put the Lions into a 3rd and 17 when they were only up 4. This makes three straight games where the Offense has not put up more than one touchdown in a game. That is just absolutely pathetic!

*Defense: --- D+. The opening drive was eerie similar to the overtime drive against the Jaguars. The Defense was caught completely off guard. Dre Bly continues to have the complete opposite season of a year ago that saw him go the Pro Bowl. Safety Brock Marion has looked slow and old back in the secondary and was not a good pickup last off season. After the first drive, the Defense was stellar and did not give up a single point. They killed a Vikings drive deep in Lion territory in the 2nd quarter on 4th and 1. Cory Redding's safety gave the Lions a 19-7 lead and things were looking good. But, the Vikings Offense woke up thanks to some penalties and before you could blink, put up two straight touchdowns. Just like last week, the Defense played great in spurts but fluttered at the end when it mattered the most. I cannot wait to see what happens on Thanksgiving Day. All I can say is thank goodness I have Payton Manning on my fantasy football team!

*Special Teams: --- A. Another excellent performance by the special teams, with the exception of David Kircus's running into the returner penalty. Eddie Drummond is paving his way to the Pro Bowl and he opened the game with his third touchdown return in the past two games. On his next opportunity, he gave the offense great field position at the 40. Hanson got back on track with a 48 yard field goal. Nick Harris had some good punts for a chance and coverage was great.

*Coaching: --- F. There are absolutely NO EXCUSES to burn three time outs because the play clock was running out. That really hurt the Lions chances of coming back late in the game. This is not the first time this has happened and I hold Maricucci and his staff accountable for it. But the decision that made me think back to Marty's lets take the wind and Bobby's lets go for the two point conversion was a killer. As much as Maricucci will say otherwise, you NEVER give a team 2nd chance after forcing 4th down. I would have been shocked if Minnesota went for it and it would have resulted in the Lions still being up by 1. Instead Maricucci accepts the offensive pass interference call and watches Culpepper burn them that setup the game winning touchdown a few plays later. I hate to say it, but my patience with Maricucci is wearing out only 1 1/2 years into his regime. His decision on Joey will go a long way to seeing how his Lions tenure will be.

*Overall: --- D. The Lions blew a 12 point 4th quarter lead on the road and always find some way to blow the game in Minnesota. It is quite obvious the past three games that Harrington can be labeled a bust. As I have mentioned since the very first day the Lions drafted him, Joey will never take the Lions to the next level. Matt Millen, who I rarely brought up this year, if off the hook on Joey since he was forced by the Fords to draft him. How sad is it that the Lions had the 2nd and 3rd overall picks in the 2002 and 2003 draft and have just about nothing to show for it. At 4-6 and a four game losing streak staring them straight in eyes, in comes the hottest Offense in the NFL! If the Lions can hold Manning and company under 35 points, I would be absolutely shocked. I have never seen an Offense just tear up the competition as the Colts Offense has the past month. But, its Thanksgiving and remember last year the Lions upset the Packers. This year, if the Lions are within 21 at the half, it will be considered good. Still, its Thanksgiving and will be my 14 consecutive time seeing the honolulu blue and silver play on Turkey Day.

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