Vikings Upset Lions 27-24, McCarthy Returns

At Ford Field the Minnesota Vikings upset the Detroit Lions 27-24 as J.J. McCarthy returned from an ankle injury to throw two touchdown passes and rush for another, including a game-sealing back-shoulder pass to Jalen Nailor. McCarthy was 14-of-25 for 143 yards with one interception, while Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson also caught scoring passes. Minnesota's defense and special teams were decisive, recording five sacks, a Blake Cashman forced turnover and blocking a Detroit field goal that set up Will Reichard's chip-shot. Jared Goff threw for 284 yards and Detroit got big games from Sam LaPorta, Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown, but penalties, special-teams breakdowns and a limited running game undermined their comeback as the Lions finished 5-for-17 on third down. The road win moved Minnesota to 4-4, tightened the NFC North race and could push the Vikings to target cornerbacks or edge rushers ahead of the November trade deadline.