The Vikings fell to the Lions 14-7 on Sunday in the first of two matchups between the NFC North foes.
The turnover margin — Detroit capitalized on three Minnesota fumbles and recovered its own lone fumble — was the stat that jumped out of the game booklet and helped the Lions score 11 of their points after drives on which they gained 29 yards each.
Here are three stats that stood out:
1. One missed tackle
The Vikings ran the ball 22 times for 87 yards, led by 66 yards on 13 carries by Dalvin Cook, who left the game with a knee injury in the third quarter.
Latavius Murray rushed seven times for 21 yards, and Jerick McKinnon netted zero yards on two carries.
Out of the 22 run plays and three receptions by running backs, Pro Football Focus counted just one forced missed tackle (by Murray) on the day by Minnesota's backfield.
Detroit's defenders deserve credit for solid tackling throughout the game.
2. Defense didn't give in
The Vikings defense, despite missing a few tackles, also deserves credit for holding the Lions scoreless in the final 23 minutes of the game.
After Minnesota's offense committed fumbles on consecutive plays to give Detroit the ball on the Vikings side of the 50 both times, the Vikings forced a field goal and allowed the Lions only touchdown.
In the rest of the game, however, Minnesota limited Detroit to five net yards on 21 offensive plays (includes three kneel-downs for minus-3 yards).
Detroit had just one possession that gained more than 35 yards in the whole game (an 82-yard drive that ended with a field goal). Minnesota's offense had four such possessions but ended with a punt, touchdown, missed field goal and a turnover on downs.
3. Hunter, Griffen efficient and effective
Minnesota recorded six sacks on the day of Matthew Stafford, who finished 19-of-31 passing for 209 yards with a rating of 81.2.
Danielle Hunter led the way with his first two sacks of the season. According to PFF, Hunter totaled six quarterback pressures on 33 pass-rush snaps.
Everson Griffen also recorded a sack (his fifth in four games this season). PFF credited Griffen with four pressures on 35 rushes, and the press box statisticians counted three quarterback hits.
