Lions vs Vikings: 6 Things We Learned About Detroit in 26-23 Win

Detroit Lions fans should feel a unique sort of sympathy for Minnesota Vikings fans.

Everything the Vikings did to lose this game (and believe me, the Vikings lost the game as much as the Lions won it), Lions fans have seen from their own team for years.

Stupid penalties. Playing not to lose with an insecure lead and lots of time left. Vanilla fourth-quarter playcalling. More stupid penalties. Bad calls on 4th-and-1. Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Penalties negating big plays, penalties eliminating scoring opportunities, penalties keeping the defense on the field.

The only thing missing was a bad turnover (or three). Actually, both teams finished the game without a turnover, which is surprising considering the extent to which each team dominated at certain points in the game.

But this is the third consecutive game in which the Detroit Lions played the game in a completely different situation, and it proved to be a valuable learning experience, both for the team and its fans.

So what are the takeaways from this game? Other than that the Vikings can't close?

The Lions Aren't There Yet

To anybody who thought the Lions were going to steamroll their way to 16-0 by beating every team by 30 or more, this was a wakeup call.

Though the Lions played much better in the second half and came out with the huge win in overtime, there can be no doubt that watching the Lions dig a 20-0 hole in the first half against the 0-2 Minnesota Vikings was a sobering experience.

Regardless of what happens the rest of the season, Lions fans should remember this game. This is a very good team, but not a perfect team. They are vulnerable if you hit them right, and that will hold true for the rest of the season.

That doesn't mean the Lions can't win ball games, it just means they're not the unstoppable football force they looked like for the first two weeks of the season.

The Lions Still Can't Run It

I hate to sound like a broken record here, but let's be honest. The Lions' running game was as absent in this game as the Vikings' defense in the second half.

There were those that thought the Lions' lack of offensive balance would be fine as long as they just kept winging it over the top.

But 20 rushing yards, one rushing first down, five sacks and seven QB hits later, I wonder if anybody is sticking to that policy. The Lions are 3-0, and that's reason to rejoice. But they need to find a way to move the ball on the ground if this season is going anywhere.

I would give them a bit of a pass, since the Lions were up against a top-notch run defense led by All-Pro Kevin WIlliams, who was fired up in his first game back after his two-game suspension. But it isn't like this is a new problem. This was just bad getting worse.

Jason Hanson Is STILL Money

I don't think anyone really needed to be reminded of this, but just in case you're still lamenting the loss of Dave Rayner, Jason Hanson can still kick a little.

And though Hanson has been short on opportunities to kick game-winning and game-tying field goals, he proved today he can deliver when he gets the chance.

In this game, Hanson kicked a 50-yard game tying field goal, a 40-yard go-ahead field goal, and a 32-yard game-winning field goal.

Money, money, money.

Jeff Backus Is NOT Money

Just over a minute remaining in the game. Tie ball game at 23, the Lions have all their timeouts to engineer a game-winning drive from the 20-yard line.

False start, Jeff Backus.

False start, Jeff Backus.

Jared Allen blows by Jeff Backus, 6-yard sack.

Jahvid Best runs to the left, Jared Allen peels off his block (Jeff Backus) to very nearly pull Best down for a safety.

See, Jeff, this is why everyone thinks you're the worst starting LT ever to play the game of football. It's not that you're bad every play, 24/7, but you're at your worst when the Lions need your best. You are the only reason Jared Allen is still relevant in the NFL.

Next up, DeMarcus Ware.

The good news is, Stafford can take a shot or 10. The concerns about his injury-prone-ness should be all but dispelled after some of the punishment he took today.

Calvin Johnson Is Uncoverable

Chris Cook did perhaps the best job of covering Calvin Johnson so far this year. He made some incredible defensive plays at big moments.

The result? Seven catches, 108 yards, two touchdowns.

Those aren't incredible numbers (Wes Welker posted 16/217/2 today), necessarily, but Johnson is on pace for 32 touchdowns this season, and nobody seems to be able to slow it down. Unlike Backus, Johnson is at his best when the pressure is on.

The difference this year is that the Lions are finally taking advantage of his other targets and all the coverage Johnson is drawing. Nate Burleson was quiet today, but Brandon Pettigrew and Titus Young had huge days.

There is enough talent out there now that the some receivers can have an off day and the passing game still be incredible. Feels good, doesn't it?

No More Talk About the Lions "Learning to Win"

Lesson learned. The Lions are 3-0, and they won each game in a different fashion.

Holding off a second-half charge with a lead on the road.

Four-quarter, never-let-up domination at home.

And now, a 20-point second-half comeback on the road. In a stadium where the Lions haven't won since the days of Mitchell and Sanders.

It would appear the Lions have learned to win. So when the losses come, the "culture of losing" can't be an excuse anymore.

No longer is this the team trying to recover from 0-16. This is just a good football team trying to win football games. The old Lions are no more.