Missed opportunities doom Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day

The Detroit Lions could not overcome yet another slow start and a barrage of missed opportunities in a 30-23 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

For the Detroit Lions, slow starts have become just as routine as coming back in the fourth quarter.

On Thanksgiving Day, on the most important game of the season, a combination of miscues early and missed opportunities late ultimately sealed their fate against the Vikings.

Dropped passes in the end zone, errant throws by Matthew Stafford, and a controversial decision to not challenge all spelled doom in the end.

With the Lions trailing 27-23 late in the fourth quarter and the Vikings facing a third-and-seven, Case Keenum completed a pass to Stefon Diggs for the first down. Replays showed that Darius Slay made the tackle about one yard shy of the line to gain, but to the surprise of many, head coach Jim Caldwell did not challenge the play.

Instead of punting from their own 47 yard-line on fourth down, the Vikings drove down the field and ended up kicking a field goal to make the score 30-23.

The decision not to challenge cost the Lions two timeouts, over a minute and a half of game clock, and another offensive possession. It was not one of Caldwell’s finest moments.

Prior to all of that, however, the Lions did everything they could to take themselves out of the game. The Lions fumbled away their second possession of the game on a handoff exchange between Stafford and Ameer Abdullah.

Darren Fells dropped two passes in the end zone, one of which was overturned after review. The officials had ruled it a successful catch initially and were ready for the Lions to attempt the extra point. For some reason, the unit took their time snapping the ball, allowing for the review and reversal of the call.

Golden Tate, who finished with just four catches for a total of seven yards, made a drive-killing blunder of his own. Facing third-and-three with 7:06 remaining in the fourth quarter, Stafford connected with Tate on a pass to the marker. Instead of falling backwards or turning up-field, Tate ran back to create some space, and was tackled shy of the first down.

Stafford showed his usual grit, especially after suffering an apparent ankle injury on a touchdown pass to Marvin Jones, but was otherwise wild. He finished 20-of-35 passing for 250 yards, and missed open receivers from start to finish.

In the second quarter, Jim Bob Cooter dialed up a perfect screen pass against the Vikings’ blitz. Under pressure, Stafford underthrew a wide open Theo Riddick, who could have crawled into the end zone without being touched.

On the Lions’ penultimate drive, Stafford missed a wide open Tate, who had broken free on a seam route. An accurate throw most likely ends up as a touchdown there.

It was all painful, but the Lions saved their worst gaffe for last.

Trailing 30-23 and 1:14 remaining in the game, the Lions’ defense forced the Vikings to attempt 25-yard field goal. Slay blocked the attempt, which was scooped up by Nevin Lawson and returned 77 yards for a game-tying touchdown.

Except it wasn’t.

Slay clearly jumped the snap and was offside, nullifying the dramatic tying score. On top of that, the five-yard penalty was enough to give the Vikings a first down. Keenum kneeled twice to run out the clock on the game, and with it, the Lions’ chances of winning the NFC North.

The Lions (6-5) still stand in the middle of a murky NFC Wild Card picture with a relatively soft schedule ahead. Their quest for a playoff berth continues on December 3, when they will travel to face the Baltimore Ravens.