Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions: Second quarter recap and third quarter discussion

There’s just one half of football remaining in the 2020 regular season, and the Minnesota Vikings lead the Detroit Lions by a score of 21-16 at Ford Field.

The Lions started the quarter with the ball, and they put it into the end zone again after a 20-yard strike from Matthew Stafford to rookie Quintez Cephus for a touchdown. Matt Prater connected on the extra point after missing the first one, and the Lions went back into the lead by a score of 13-7.

The Vikings then returned the favor on their next possession, marching down the field and concluding the drive with Kirk Cousins finding the former Lions, Ameer Abdullah, for a 4-yard score. Dan Bailey hit the extra point, and the Vikings were back in front by a score of 14-13 midway through the second quarter.

The Lions made it three consecutive scoring drives as Prater hit a field goal from 54 yards out to give the lead back to the home team at 16-14. The Vikings then pushed into Detroit territory again, but Dan Bailey missed a 46-yard field goal attempt wide to the left to keep Detroit in front.

On the final offensive play of the first half, the Lions’ had a defensive disaster, as Cousins found Chad Beebe and a bad tackle attempt for the Lions allowed it to become a 40-yard touchdown. Bailey hit the extra point, and the Vikings took a 21-16 lead into the locker room.

After a slow start, Kirk Cousins finished with a very impressive first half, completing 19-of-26 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns. Adam Theilen has led the way with five receptions for 47 yards. Justin Jefferson has three catches for 30 yards, meaning he needs 17 yards to set a new Vikings’ rookie record for receiving yards in a season and 81 to catch Anquan Boldin for a new NFL rookie record in the Super Bowl era.

The Lions will get the football coming out of the locker room at halftime, as they trail the Vikings by a score of 21-16. Come join us for the third quarter, folks!