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Kevin Seifert
MINNEAPOLIS – Modern NFL teams almost never win that way minnesota vikings Thursday at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The Vikings became the third team in the last 40 seasons to win with fewer than 10 net passing yards thanks to the stellar performance of their defense and place-kicker. Will Reichardt In 23-10 decision Above detroit lions,
with the rookie quarterback max brosmer Making his second career start and with three starting offensive linemen sidelined with injuries, the Vikings managed only 3 net passing yards. Their total net passing yards to Brosmer and wide receiver were minus-7 Justin Jefferson Connected for 10 yards on the Vikings’ final throw of the night.
“That was not our standard in the pass game,” Minnesota coach Kevin O’Connell said. “But sometimes, it depends on how your team plays collectively as a group. I’ve learned a lot as a head coach [doing] You’ve got to do whatever it takes to win every opportunity you get.”
The only other teams to win games with fewer than 10 net passing yards are the 1987 St. Louis Cardinals (4 yards) and 2006 houston texans (minus 5 yards). It is even rarer for a team to win by a double-digit margin; The last time a team won by double digits with fewer than five net passing yards was in 1974.
The Lions don’t have one of the NFL’s better pass defenses this season, entering the game ranked No. 18 in defensive pass EPA (expected points added) per game. But he gave plenty of trouble to Brosmer, who was starting in place of the injured JJ McCarthySacked him six times and hit him on five other occasions. The Vikings scored one of their two touchdowns after a drive that began when they recovered a fumble at the Lions’ 16-yard line, and the second came on a 65-yard run from wideout John Lewis. jordan addison,
Reichardt finished the scoring by making 3 of 3 field goal attempts with a completion of 56 yards.
Broesmer threw four interceptions in his first NFL start, a 26–0 loss Seattle Seahawks in Week 13, and O’Connell said the team was determined to “protect the football” against the Lions. Broesmer’s performance reflected a young quarterback who wanted to avoid turnovers at all costs. He almost never had a downfield, attempted only three passes that traveled more than 5 yards from the line of scrimmage, and finished with nine completions in 16 attempts for 51 yards.
Brosmer has started two games this season and played parts of four other games. He has only managed a total of 271 passing yards in those performances.
“There was a lot to learn,” Brosmer said of the rookie season. “NFL football is hard, and people say it a lot. NFL football is fun, too, and I’m not saying I don’t enjoy it. My favorite part is the process of it.”
The Vikings have won four straight games to improve their record to 8-8, but their primary goal since falling out of the playoff race – getting McCarthy’s full evaluation – remains unfulfilled. O’Connell said earlier in the week that McCarthy was inactive on Thursday after being diagnosed with a “very, very small hairline fracture” in his right throwing hand.
Although the Vikings boasted veteran quarterback Brett Rypien To ensure they have three available passers on Thursday with Brosmer and John WolfordMinnesota hasn’t ruled out bringing McCarthy back for their Week 18 home game green Bay Packers,
“He’s doing well,” O’Connell said. “With extra time next week, we’ll see. It’s all just going to depend on grip strength and his ability to catch and throw the football. And I’d obviously love for him to get another opportunity this year.”
“I’m curious to see how JJ progresses here at the beginning of the week, and we’ll see if we can get him.”
