At the start of Week 9, the speedy receiver ranked 120th in the league in receptions (17) and had taken a slight dip across the board in his receiving metrics. When speaking to reporters on Thursday, Lions offensive coordinator John Morton vowed to increase Williams’ involvement in the offense.

The Lions also struggled in the running game. The Vikings give quarterbacks fits with their varied blitz packages, but teams have been able to run against them. David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, though, managed 65 yards on 20 carries with a long of 11 yards.

Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy put up a triumphant performance in his first game back after missing five weeks due to a high ankle sprain. Playing in Michigan for the first time since his college days with the Wolverines, McCarthy scored three touchdowns and helped the Vikings earn a 27-24 win over the Lions in Detroit.

Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning. They’ve lost two of their past three games and at 5-3 have one more loss then they had last year during the entire regular season.

Taylor Decker and Tate Ratledge also left Lions game with injuries, but returned. Penei Sewell barely moved his left arm while talking in locker room.

Expert recap and game analysis of the Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions NFL game from November 2, 2025 on ESPN.

Lions start from their own 28 for their second drive, but it goes nowhere as a false start from LaPorta gets them into a third-and-15 as Williams loses two yards on a screen pass. Jack Fox comes out for the first punt today as it bounces forward before being downed at the Minnesota 36. (7:48)