The Vikings opened this season predicted by both data and actual humans to finish with around seven victories. Even the more optimistic prognosticators looked at their roster and figured a 10-win year was about the ceiling of this team.

Let's take a deeper look into how the Lions' defense led Detroit to a 31-9 victory against the Vikings on Sunday night.

Sam Darnold may have faced criticism for his performance against the Detroit Lions, but his girlfriend is heavily supporting him and the Minnesota Vikings.

Pardon us. Coming through. Sorry to interrupt the pitch-fork party’s tarring and feathering of the quarterback y’all loved five days ago when he was 14-2 but … This, believe it or not, is a story about someone other than Sam Darnold who needs to play better against the Rams in the playoffs on Monday night.