Minnesota Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens’ last pass of the game against Detroit landed in the arms of Lions’ safety Ifeatu Melifonwu.  It seemed like a poetic ending to a string of Minnesota games that defined their 2023 season. Far more than anything else, the spate of interceptions that the teams’ quarterbacks have thrown over the past four weeks has helped torpedo a season that seemed to be turning in their favor.

Since the November 19 game against the Denver Broncos, Vikings quarterbacks have thrown 11 interceptions. Some of these picks have ended promising drives. And some have given the opposing team remarkable field position to start their drives. These errant passes can be blamed on the quarterbacks, leaky offensive lines, and drops by receivers. And they all hurt.

The Teams Exchange Touchdowns

Take today’s game for example. The Lions started the game with a royal march down the field that consumed over seven minutes of the clock. It ended with a one-yard touchdown run by David Montgomery to put the Lions up by seven. But the Vikings had an answer.

Starting with a 33-yard reception by tight end Josh Oliver to open the drive, Mullens expertly moved the team down the field. Mixing run and pass, the drive culminated with a Ty Chandler two-yard touchdown run. The Vikings had knotted the game at seven. And Minnesota’s defense would make a big play on the next series.

Vikings Get a Break

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Vikings QB Nick Mullens (12) – Associated Press/Bruce Kluckhohn

On first and ten from the Lions’ 36-yard line, Detroit running back Jahmyr Gibbs scrambled around the left end for a 13-yard gain. But Minnesota safety Cam Bynum stripped him of the ball, and it was picked up by Ivan Pace Jr. and returned to the Vikings 46-yard line.

However, the Vikings would squander their opportunity. Four plays later, Mullens would drop back and throw deep to Jordan Addison. The ball was underthrown and intercepted by the Lions’ Brian Branch. Momentum had slipped through Minnesota’s hands.

Minnesota Continues to Turn the Ball Over

Detroit would add a field goal and on the ensuing drive, the Vikings would once again turn the ball over. On third and seven from the Minnesota 18-yard line, Mullens lofted a deep ball to Addison along the left sideline. But he once again underthrew Addison, and Lions cornerback Kerby Joseph picked it off and returned it to the Vikings’ 33-yard line.

Four plays later, Gibbs would take a handoff of right tackle, break open, and scamper up the right sideline 14 yards into the end zone. The Vikings were now down by ten.

Vikings Strike Back

But Minnesota refused to roll over and their superstar receiver Justin Jefferson would come to the rescue. The Vikings would march quickly down the field aided by receptions by Jefferson of 22 and 29 yards.

Then with 37 seconds left in the half, Mullens threw a ball to the right corner of the end zone intended for Jefferson. Justin extended his body out to make a sprawling catch for a Minnesota touchdown. The half would end with the Lions up 17-14.

The Teams Would Exchange Touchdowns Again

The Vikings would draw first blood in the second half. They would march 81 yards in just over three minutes. Highlights of the drive were long receptions by T.J. Hokenson and K.J. Osborn. They sealed the drive with a six-yard play-action pass to Osborn for the Minnesota touchdown. And the Vikings had their first lead of the game.

With a steady diet of Gibbs and some short passes, the Lions went on their own extended drive. They finished it off with a Jared Goff to Amon-Ra St. Brown touchdown pass and catch. Their kicker, Michael Badgley missed the extra point kick, but they regained the lead at 23-21.

Detroit Extends Their Lead

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Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs (20) – Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

After a Vikings punt, Detroit would embark on a drive that would decide the outcome of the game. Starting on their own 17-yard line, Detroit would mix some St. Brown clutch receptions and some hard runs by Gibbs to move the ball 83 yards in just under six minutes. Gibbs brought it home with a three-yard touchdown run through a huge hole in the Minnesota line. The Purple were now down by nine points.

Still plenty of time for the Vikings to come back, right? Unfortunately, fate had another idea. On third and 18, Mullens launched a long pass to Jefferson streaking down the left sideline. But this time, he overthrew the ball, and it was picked off by Joseph again.

The Vikings are Defeated

The Vikings would add a 26-yard field goal by Greg Joseph later in the fourth quarter, but their backs were broken by the aforementioned Melifonwu interception. And the Lions left the field with a 30-24 victory and a division title.

As the Vikings prepare for their Christmas Eve home game against the Green Bay Packers, they have several areas of concern. First of all, they no longer control their own destiny. A myriad of things have to occur for them to squeeze into the postseason and the odds are severely stacked against them.

The Path Ahead

Second, their locker room now resembles a MASH unit. Hockenson, Addison, cornerback Mekhi Blackmon, and edge rusher D.J. Wonnum all left the game with injuries.  And the team just received word today that Hockenson and Wonnum have been declared as out for the remainder of the season.

Third, Brian Flores’ celebrated defense has now been eaten alive in the second half of the team’s last two games. And last of all, the Vikings have a quarterback controversy again. Early indications are that rookie Jaren Hall may get his second start of the season. But coach Kevin O’Connell was non-committal about his decision as of today.

And the Vikings are left with thoughts of what might have been.

(Writer’s Note) A big shoutout to my good friend Kris Lou for his inspiration on the title of this article.