After Further Review is a deeper look at plays or stats after Vikings games…

The Vikings lamented a few missed opportunities on offense and defense during Thursday's 16-13 loss to the Lions.

While the focus with a loss that late and tough is usually on the final few snaps, there are several other plays that can change the course of a game.

We'll take a look at one that could have led to points in the second quarter and a play that had a similar element that resulted in Minnesota's longest gain.

Q2, 3:45 left; Fourth-and-2 at the Detroit 41:The Vikings are in football's version of "no-man's land," just beyond the range for a field goal yet close enough were a punt isn't likely to have a substantial reward.

Head Coach Mike Zimmer opts to go for it on fourth-and-2 with a pass by Sam Bradford, who was 11-of-13 to open the game. Bradford is in the shotgun with Matt Asiata on his left. The Vikings have two receivers, Charles Johnson and Adam Thielen, and two tight ends, Kyle Rudolph and Rhett Ellison, in the game as well.

Minnesota motions Ellison down and he is there to help with the block. Bradford fakes a handoff to Asiata as the Lions rush their front four and drop their linebackers. Johnson and Rudolph run deep routes, and Thielen turns inside after getting to the chains. Asiata starts sneaking through the line of scrimmage, but Bradford is locked in on Thielen, who has a step on safety Tavon Wilson, who was assigned to cover the slot on the play.

Both Lions linebackers drop more 5 yards beyond the yard needed to gain, leaving Asiata unaccounted for. Bradford fires to Thielen, but Haloti Ngata swipes it at the line of scrimmage, and the pass flutters over Thielen.

Q3, 9:45 left; First-and-10 at the Minnesota 39: This time the Vikings have Bradford in the shotgun with Jerick McKinnon on his left. They have Cordarrelle Patterson and Laquon Treadwell at the outside receiver spots and Thielen in the slot. Rudolph is at tight end.

The Lions again rush four as Bradford fakes a handoff to McKinnon. The running back then sneaks through traffic and works to his right. Detroit loses McKinnon by paying so much attention to Rudolph.

Bradford has a fairly clean pocket, adjusts slightly to find a throwing lane and completes the pass to McKinnon at the 41 near the numbers. The closest defenders are behind midfield and outside of the opposite hash marks, giving McKinnon plenty of running room.

Wilson is at the Detroit 30 beyond the opposite hash marks as McKinnon turns up field. Wilson is able to hustle over and get an angle on McKinnon to force him out of bounds at the Detroit 20.