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Minnesota Vikings showing significant growth in multiple areas propelled them in huge win vs. Detroit Lions
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Minnesota Vikings showing significant growth in multiple areas propelled them in huge win vs. Detroit Lions

Originally posted on A to Z Sports  |  By Tyler Forness  |  Last updated Nov 2, 2025 9:03 PM ET

The Minnesota Vikings finally looked like a team that can compete in the NFC on Sunday afternoon, taking it to the Detroit Lions throughout the game. They got their first win against the Motor City Kitties since September of 2022, 27-24.

Head coach Kevin O'Connell was in his bag as a play-caller, finding ways to maximize his young quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, and then trusted him when it mattered the most to get the win. The biggest aspect for the Vikings was finding a way to play the level of football they know how to play. Not only did the Vikings accomplish that, but they did so by fixing multiple aspects of their team.

Minnesota Vikings' biggest improvements

Quarterback play

The fanbase was begging for the return of McCarthy as the starting quarterback, and they got that on Sunday afternoon. He led the Vikings to 17 points in the first half, throwing for two touchdowns with great throws to Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson in the red zone, an area that has been a constant struggle for the Vikings over the last two seasons.

It's evident how much better the quarterback play is for the Vikings with McCarthy, but his play isn't perfect. There are still issues with his mechanics and throwing the ball on the run, but McCarthy has only played three games in the NFL.

That will come, and this game was a really good sign for the immediate and long-term future. Where fans should be happy is that his process has been nothing but excellent.

Getting pressure on Jared Goff

The Vikings have done a good job of generating pressure all season, but they haven't been great at turning those pressures into sacks.

That wasn't fixed on Sunday, but you could tell they had been working on just that. The Vikings got six sacks on 25 pressures, good for a 24% pressure-to-sack rate, and Goff struggled when he was pressured, which was on 42.9% of dropbacks.

The blitzing worked, as Goff had all three of his big-time throws when he wasn't blitzed. Converting sacks is going to be a continued focus for the Vikings, and this was a positive step forward.

Special teams big plays

There has been a lot made about the issues of the Vikings' special teams units in terms of penalties. They have had backbreaking penalties on special teams all year. They even had two in key situations against the Lions on Sunday, but there were still multiple positive plays on special teams.

One of those penalties erased a kickoff return touchdown from Myles Price, who also had a long return in the first quarter to set the Vikings up in great position. Then, the Vikings blocked a field goal while up seven points on the Lions, allowing them to kick a field goal to go up 10 points.

If the Vikings can limit their special teams penalties, this could be one of the better units in football.


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This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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