Vikings struggle in running back rotation during loss to Lions
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Nov 2, 2026, 6:44 PM
Last updated Nov 2, 2026
The Minnesota Vikings lost 19-15 to the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on November 1, marking their first defeat of the 2026 season. The Vikings managed only 18 rushing attempts for 81 yards, while the Lions rushed 39 times for 230 yards, dominating time of possession. Questions arose regarding the Vikings' running back distribution, particularly Kevin O'Connell's decision to give DeeJay Dallas more snaps than Jordan Mason, who previously had a larger role. O'Connell had expressed confidence in his running back group despite Aaron Jones dealing with an MCL injury, but his snap distribution raised eyebrows among analysts. The Vikings are expected to reassess their rushing strategy moving forward.
- •Vikings fall to 6-1 after loss to Lions
- •Minnesota rushed 18 times for 81 yards
- •Detroit controlled the game, rushing for 230 yards
- •Jones played 21 snaps but had only 5 carries
- •Dallas outsnapped Mason in a surprising rotation
- 6:44 PMYahoo Sports — WTF was O’Connell Doing with Vikings RB Rotation vs Lions?
"The Minnesota Vikings ran the ball just 18 times in Detroit, and how those carries and snaps were split in the backfield raised plenty of questions.
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