Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions: 2019 Week 7 Recap

Game story

In Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season on 2019-10-20, the Minnesota Vikings took care of business against the Detroit Lions, pulling away with a 42–30 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Stafford (Detroit Lions) paced the passing game, with +13.67 total EPA, and -2.0% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, K. Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +27.53 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+15.3% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Detroit Lions changed the game: (:06) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 11-M.Jones for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

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 K. Cousins · Minnesota Vikings · Passing · +27.53 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.76 EPA/play
2. 2 M. Stafford · Detroit Lions · Passing · +13.67 total EPA · 54 snaps · +0.25 EPA/play
3. 3 S. Diggs · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +11.28 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.41 EPA/play
4. 4 M. Jones · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +8.75 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.67 EPA/play
5. 5 K. Rudolph · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +6.47 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.08 EPA/play
6. 6 D. Cook · Minnesota Vikings · Rushing · +6.17 total EPA · 25 snaps · +0.25 EPA/play
7. 7 D. Amendola · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +5.72 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.52 EPA/play
8. 8 I. Smith · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +3.25 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.54 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

• Detroit Lions — M. Jones (M. Stafford pass) (Q1 52:41)
• Minnesota Vikings — A. Thielen (K. Cousins pass) (Q1 50:23)
• Detroit Lions — M. Jones (M. Stafford pass) (Q1 45:17)
• Minnesota Vikings — O. Johnson (K. Cousins pass) (Q2 42:44)
• Minnesota Vikings — D. Cook (Q2 33:33)
• Detroit Lions — M. Jones (M. Stafford pass) (Q2 30:06)
• Minnesota Vikings — C. Ham (K. Cousins pass) (Q3 24:08)
• Minnesota Vikings — K. Rudolph (K. Cousins pass) (Q4 5:46)
• Detroit Lions — M. Jones (M. Stafford pass) (Q4 3:10)
• Minnesota Vikings — D. Cook (Q4 2:00)

Field goals

• Detroit Lions — M. Prater (Q3 18:26)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 14–7. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIN 16 (Q1 52:41) — (7:41) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 11-M.Jones for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q1 52:34) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DET 25 (Q1 50:23) — (5:23) 8-K.Cousins pass deep left to 19-A.Thielen for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. MIN-19-A.Thielen was injured during the play. He is Out.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q1 50:14) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIN 3 (Q1 45:17) — (:17) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 11-M.Jones for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q1 45:13) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin..

The second quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 14–7. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DET 1 (Q2 42:44) — (12:44) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 81-O.Johnson for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q2 42:39) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DET 8 (Q2 33:33) — (3:33) 33-D.Cook left end for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q2 33:26) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIN 10 (Q2 30:06) — (:06) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 11-M.Jones for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q2 30:02) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin..

The third quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 7–3. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DET 5 (Q3 24:08) — (9:08) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 30-C.Ham for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q3 24:02) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the MIN 28 (Q3 18:26) — (3:26) 5-M.Prater 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin..

The fourth quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 14–6. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DET 15 (Q4 5:46) — (5:46) 8-K.Cousins pass short middle to 82-K.Rudolph for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q4 5:40) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIN 2 (Q4 3:10) — (3:10) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 11-M.Jones for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DET 4 (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) 33-D.Cook up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q4 1:55) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt..

Turning points

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

• Detroit Lions (Q2 30:06) — (:06) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 11-M.Jones for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +15.3% · EPA +4.08]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q4 12:56) — (12:56) 5-D.Bailey 45 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt. [WPA -13.0% · EPA -4.12]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q4 3:00) — (3:00) 8-K.Cousins pass deep right to 14-S.Diggs to DET 4 for 66 yards (32-T.Wilson). [WPA +12.4% · EPA +4.46]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q3 28:21) — (13:21) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 14-S.Diggs pushed ob at MIN 49 for 14 yards (27-J.Coleman). [WPA +9.8% · EPA +2.61]
• Detroit Lions (Q4 8:58) — (8:58) 9-M.Stafford pass incomplete short left to 41-J.McKissic (54-E.Kendricks). [WPA -9.3% · EPA -3.10]

Impact plays

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

• Minnesota Vikings (Q4 3:00) — (3:00) 8-K.Cousins pass deep right to 14-S.Diggs to DET 4 for 66 yards (32-T.Wilson). [WPA +12.4% · EPA +4.46]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q4 12:56) — (12:56) 5-D.Bailey 45 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt. [WPA -13.0% · EPA -4.12]
• Detroit Lions (Q2 30:06) — (:06) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 11-M.Jones for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +15.3% · EPA +4.08]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q2 44:55) — (14:55) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass deep right to 14-S.Diggs pushed ob at DET 34 for 27 yards (23-D.Slay). [WPA +7.1% · EPA +3.12]

Quarterback report card

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

• M.Stafford (Detroit Lions) · 54 dropbacks · 55.6% completion · -2.0% CPOE · +0.25 EPA/play · +13.67 total EPA
• K.Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) · 36 dropbacks · 66.7% completion · +7.9% CPOE · +0.76 EPA/play · +27.53 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Minnesota Vikings generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.33 vs +0.14), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Detroit Lions: 10 drives, +12.96 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Minnesota Vikings: 11 drives, +29.48 total EPA, 6 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.
• K. Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• K. Cousins (MIN) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

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

1. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 52:41 · MIN 16 · Score 0-6
   (7:41) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 11-M.Jones for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q1 52:34 · MIN 15 · Score 0-7
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
3. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q1 50:23 · DET 25 · Score 6-7
   (5:23) 8-K.Cousins pass deep left to 19-A.Thielen for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. MIN-19-A.Thielen was injured during the play. He is Out.
4. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 50:14 · DET 15 · Score 7-7
   5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.
5. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 45:17 · MIN 3 · Score 7-13
   (:17) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 11-M.Jones for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q1 45:13 · MIN 15 · Score 7-14
   5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
7. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 42:44 · DET 1 · Score 13-14
   (12:44) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 81-O.Johnson for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q2 42:39 · DET 15 · Score 14-14
   5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.
9. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 33:33 · DET 8 · Score 20-14
   (3:33) 33-D.Cook left end for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q2 33:26 · DET 15 · Score 21-14
    5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.
11. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 30:06 · MIN 10 · Score 21-20
    (:06) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 11-M.Jones for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 30:02 · MIN 15 · Score 21-21
    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
13. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q3 24:08 · DET 5 · Score 27-21
    (9:08) 8-K.Cousins pass short left to 30-C.Ham for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q3 24:02 · DET 15 · Score 28-21
    5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.
15. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q3 18:26 · MIN 28 · Score 28-24
    (3:26) 5-M.Prater 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
16. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 5:46 · DET 15 · Score 34-24
    (5:46) 8-K.Cousins pass short middle to 82-K.Rudolph for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q4 5:40 · DET 15 · Score 35-24
    5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.
18. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 3:10 · MIN 2 · Score 35-30
    (3:10) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 11-M.Jones for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
19. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 2:00 · DET 4 · Score 41-30
    (2:00) 33-D.Cook up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
20. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q4 1:55 · DET 15 · Score 42-30
    5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-58-A.Cutting, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.