For the second time in three weeks, the Detroit Lions lost on a long field goal as time expired. Minnesota’s Greg Joseph nailed a 54-yard field goal on the game’s final play to lift the Vikings to a 19-17 win.
The Lions are now 0-5, while the Vikings improve to 2-3.
Detroit had seized the lead with just 37 seconds remaining on a D’Andre Swift touchdown run and a successful 2-point conversion pass from Jared Goff to KhaDarel Hodge. But the Vikings had enough time for QB Kirk Cousins to drive into the very edge of Joseph’s range.
Joseph had earlier missed short from 49 yards but had no problem driving the longer attempt through the uprights. It was eerily reminiscent of the Week 3 loss, where Ravens kicker Justin Tucker set an NFL record with a 66-yard field goal to win the game by the exact same score, 19-17.
Detroit’s offense had sputtered for most of the afternoon but perked up late, following a Jalen Reeves-Maybin fumble recovery to set up the go-ahead touchdown. The Lions defense performed admirably, aided in part by some curious play-calling by the Vikings and some Minnesota penalties.
The loss is the eighth straight in the series by Detroit, and this one might have hurt the most.