Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings: 2005 Week 9 Recap

Game story

In Week 9 of the 2005 NFL season on 2005-11-06, the Minnesota Vikings took care of business against the Detroit Lions, pulling away with a 27–14 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 28 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Harrington (Detroit Lions) paced the passing game, with -10.62 total EPA.

On the individual side, S. Vines (Detroit Lions) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +6.78 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-9.6% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Detroit Lions changed the game: (11:32) 4-J.Hanson 51 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-67-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 S. Vines · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +6.78 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.75 EPA/play
2. 2 M. Williams · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +4.84 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.21 EPA/play
3. 3 M. Pollard · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +4.09 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.02 EPA/play
4. 4 T. Williamson · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +3.73 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.24 EPA/play
5. 5 N. Burleson · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +3.41 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.70 EPA/play
6. 6 S. Bryson · Detroit Lions · Rushing · +2.16 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.72 EPA/play
7. 7 A. Pinner · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +2.09 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.04 EPA/play
8. 8 M. Bennett · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +1.73 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.73 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Minnesota Vikings — M. Bennett (B. Johnson pass) (Q2 37:33)
• Minnesota Vikings — C. Fason (Q2 35:51)
• Minnesota Vikings — N. Burleson (B. Johnson pass) (Q2 34:09)
• Detroit Lions — A. Pinner (Q2 30:52)
• Detroit Lions — M. Pollard (J. Harrington pass) (Q4 15:00)

Field goals

• Minnesota Vikings — P. Edinger (Q1 51:03)
• Minnesota Vikings — P. Edinger (Q4 7:35)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 3–0. Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the DET 2 (Q1 51:03) — (6:03) 1-P.Edinger 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-14-B.Johnson..

The second quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 21–7. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DET 5 (Q2 37:33) — (7:33) 14-B.Johnson pass to 23-M.Bennett for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 37:26) — 1-P.Edinger extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-14-B.Johnson.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DET 3 (Q2 35:51) — (5:51) 35-C.Fason left end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 35:45) — 1-P.Edinger extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-14-B.Johnson.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DET 15 (Q2 34:09) — (4:09) (Shotgun) 14-B.Johnson pass to 81-N.Burleson for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DET-98-K.Edwards, Defensive Offside, declined.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 34:02) — 1-P.Edinger extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-14-B.Johnson.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIN 1 (Q2 30:52) — (:52) 21-A.Pinner right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q2 30:48) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-67-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris..

The fourth quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 7–3. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIN 23 (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 3-J.Harrington pass to 81-M.Pollard for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q4 14:55) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-67-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the DET 22 (Q4 7:35) — (7:35) 1-P.Edinger 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-14-B.Johnson..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Detroit Lions (Q1 56:32) — (11:32) 4-J.Hanson 51 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-67-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris. [WPA -9.6% · EPA -3.65]
• Detroit Lions (Q2 37:14) — (7:14) (Shotgun) 3-J.Harrington sacked at DET 19 for -7 yards (29-B.Williams). FUMBLES (29-B.Williams), RECOVERED by MIN-93-K.Williams at DET 20. 93-K.Williams to DET 14 for 6 yards (24-S.Bryson). [WPA -6.7% · EPA -4.70]
• Detroit Lions (Q1 57:41) — (12:41) 3-J.Harrington pass to 88-M.Williams pushed ob at MIN 42 for 12 yards (26-A.Winfield). [WPA +6.3% · EPA +2.12]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q1 46:19) — (1:19) 23-M.Bennett up the middle pushed ob at DET 50 for 31 yards (42-T.Holt). [WPA +5.7% · EPA +2.43]
• Detroit Lions (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 3-J.Harrington pass to 81-M.Pollard for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +4.9% · EPA +2.77]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Detroit Lions (Q2 37:14) — (7:14) (Shotgun) 3-J.Harrington sacked at DET 19 for -7 yards (29-B.Williams). FUMBLES (29-B.Williams), RECOVERED by MIN-93-K.Williams at DET 20. 93-K.Williams to DET 14 for 6 yards (24-S.Bryson). [WPA -6.7% · EPA -4.70]
• Detroit Lions (Q2 35:01) — (5:01) 3-J.Harrington pass intended for 21-A.Pinner INTERCEPTED by 26-A.Winfield at DET 15. 26-A.Winfield pushed ob at DET 11 for 4 yards (21-A.Pinner). [WPA -4.5% · EPA -4.54]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q3 27:26) — (12:26) (Shotgun) 14-B.Johnson sacked at DET 32 for -7 yards (98-K.Edwards). FUMBLES (98-K.Edwards), RECOVERED by DET-75-S.Cody at DET 32. 75-S.Cody to DET 32 for no gain (14-B.Johnson). [WPA -3.8% · EPA -4.34]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q2 34:09) — (4:09) (Shotgun) 14-B.Johnson pass to 81-N.Burleson for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DET-98-K.Edwards, Defensive Offside, declined. [WPA +2.0% · EPA +3.83]

Quarterback report card

J.Harrington led all passers in efficiency for Detroit Lions, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• J.Harrington (Detroit Lions) · 58 dropbacks · 48.3% completion · -0.18 EPA/play · -10.62 total EPA
• B.Johnson (Minnesota Vikings) · 26 dropbacks · 57.7% completion · +0.02 EPA/play · +0.56 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Minnesota Vikings held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.02 vs -0.12), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Detroit Lions: 12 drives, -11.30 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
• Minnesota Vikings: 13 drives, +1.37 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Minnesota Vikings leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• S. Vines (Detroit Lions) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q1 51:03 · DET 2 · Score 0-3
   (6:03) 1-P.Edinger 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-14-B.Johnson.
2. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 37:33 · DET 5 · Score 0-9
   (7:33) 14-B.Johnson pass to 23-M.Bennett for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q2 37:26 · DET 2 · Score 0-10
   1-P.Edinger extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-14-B.Johnson.
4. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 35:51 · DET 3 · Score 0-16
   (5:51) 35-C.Fason left end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q2 35:45 · DET 2 · Score 0-17
   1-P.Edinger extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-14-B.Johnson.
6. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 34:09 · DET 15 · Score 0-23
   (4:09) (Shotgun) 14-B.Johnson pass to 81-N.Burleson for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DET-98-K.Edwards, Defensive Offside, declined.
7. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q2 34:02 · DET 2 · Score 0-24
   1-P.Edinger extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-14-B.Johnson.
8. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 30:52 · MIN 1 · Score 6-24
   (:52) 21-A.Pinner right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 30:48 · MIN 2 · Score 7-24
   4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-67-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
10. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 15:00 · MIN 23 · Score 13-24
    (15:00) 3-J.Harrington pass to 81-M.Pollard for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q4 14:55 · MIN 2 · Score 14-24
    4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-67-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
12. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q4 7:35 · DET 22 · Score 14-27
    (7:35) 1-P.Edinger 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-14-B.Johnson.