The Detroit Lions hosted the Minnesota Vikings in a fiery game on Sunday, November 2, at Ford Field in Detroit, and things didn’t go the way the Lions had hoped. Even though the Lions were favored to win in the home contest, the Vikings didn’t let up, and the Lions lost to the Vikings in a 27-24 final score.
Now, the fallout from the game is happening. During any rivalry game, tensions are going to be high. But, this game was absolutely crucial for both the Lions and Vikings, so having Minnesota pull off the win gives them bragging rights. The game also marked the Lions’ third loss of the season, so their record is 3-5 heading into their game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, November 9.
Following the Vikings win, quarterback J.J. McCarthy just couldn’t keep quiet. Sure, it was thrilling for McCarthy to get a win over the Vikings’ arch rivals. But, remember, this is a player who has been with the Vikings for a season and a half, and this was just his third NFL game ever. So, he shouldn’t get a big head just yet.
J.J. McCarthy Subtly Throws Shade at Detroit Lions Coach Dan Campbell
After the game, McCarthy took to Instagram to take a dig at not just the Lions but head coach Dan Campbell, in particular. McCarthy had a solid game and helped the Vikings score three touchdowns in the 27-24 win in Detroit, marking Minnesota’s first win against the Lions since 2022. The win also marked the biggest upset of the season, according to ESPN’s Kevin Seifert, with the Lions the 9.5-point favorites at the start of the game.
So, McCarthy decided to rub it in. On Monday, November 3, McCarthy took to social media to share a carousel of photos from the game on Instagram with the caption, “Knee caps are intact.” That saying is a reference to Campbell’s famed introductory news conference as the Detroit Lions’ head coach back in 2021.
During the game, the Lions put the pressure on McCarthy and clocked 18 pressures and five sacks on the quarterback, which tied for the second-highest pressure rate by a defense in a game this season, according to NFL Next Gen Stats and research. But, it didn’t stop McCarthy from completing 7 of 11 pass attempts for 91 yards and a touchdown, according to Pro Football Reference research.
So, McCarthy had a solid game, and he’s a promising signal-caller, but taking digs on social media at this early point in his NFL career is a bit surprising. He was coming off five games off, and Goff has been playing the entire season. So, let’s see how McCarthy holds up when he’s playing week after week.
Good News and Statistics From the Detroit Lions Game
It wasn’t all bad news for Detroit. During the matchup, Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery rushed for his 30th touchdown as a Detroit Lion. Because of that statistic, the Lions announced that Montgomery and running back Jahmyr Gibbs are the NFL’s first running back duo in the Super Bowl era to each rush for 30-plus touchdowns over any three-season span.
Plus, linebacker Jack Campbell also became the Lions’ first off-ball linebacker to produce 1.0 sack in three-straight games since Antonio London in 1995, according to NFL research.
The Lions will take those positive stats into their next game against the Commanders on Sunday, November 9. The Commanders have a 3-6 record to the Lions’ 5-3.
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