Morning Lions Links for Monday 12-9-19

Articles:

NOTEBOOK: Golladay notches second consecutive 1,000-yard season:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/notebook-golladay-notches-second-consecutive-1-000-yard-season

FOUR DOWNS: How Vikings swung momentum in their favor:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/four-downs-how-vikings-swung-momentum-in-their-favor

Lions CB Darius Slay: Officials botched call on crucial catch right before halftime:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2019/12/lions-cb-darius-slay-officials-botched-call-on-crucial-catch-right-before-halftime.html

In latest round of questions about his future, Matt Patricia says Lions are better than record indicates:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2019/12/lions-coach-matt-patricia-fields-another-round-of-questions-about-job-security.html

NFC North Recap: Packers maintain hold on first place, Vikings still in final wild card spot:   https://www.mlive.com/lions/2019/12/nfc-north-recap-packers-maintain-hold-on-first-place-vikings-still-in-final-wild-card-spot.html

What they’re saying nationally after Detroit Lions lose for ninth time in 10 games:  https://www.mlive.com/lions/2019/12/what-theyre-saying-nationally-after-detroit-lions-lose-for-ninth-time-in-10-games.html

The 56 seconds that cost Lions in latest loss to Vikings:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/12/08/detroit-lions-minnesota-vikings/4379034002/

Scarbrough among multiple Lions starters injured vs. Vikings:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/12/08/detroit-lions-injuries-bo-scarbrough-rick-wagner-tracy-walker-hurt/4377478002/

Here's the important thing that came out of the Lions' loss:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/12/08/detroit-lions-football-showed-no-quit-against-minnesota-vikings/4377586002/

Wojo: For Matt Patricia and Lions, it should be over:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/columnists/bob-wojnowski/2019/12/08/for-patricia-and-lions-it-should-be-over/4374151002/

Matt Patricia: Lions' woeful record 'not what we are':  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/12/08/matt-patricia-detroit-lions-woeful-record-not-what-we-are/4377839002/

Packers are first in NFL, Lions last in penalty beneficiary yards:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2019/10/15/packers-are-first-in-nfl-lions-last-in-penalty-beneficiary-yards/

Pat Caputo - Lions' wholesale changes need to include Quinn, Patricia and, yes, Stafford:  https://www.theoaklandpress.com/sports/pat-caputo---lions-wholesale-changes-need-to-include/article_0337c43e-1a0d-11ea-b5df-dbcbb5486ec0.html

Week 14 NFL takeaways: What's next for the Saints, Bills after crushing losses (The good news for the Lions in their sixth straight loss is the team continues to move up in the 2020 draft.   Atlanta's defeat of Carolina moved Detroit into the No. 5 position, just behind the Bengals, Redskins, Giants and Dolphins. Considering some of those teams still play each other, it's entirely possible that three more losses could put Detroit in even better position to land a top pick in the spring. -- Michael Rothstein):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/page/nfl_32for32120819/week-14-nfl-takeaways-next-saints-bills-crushing-losses

NFL Week 14 PFF ReFocused: Minnesota Vikings 20, Detroit Lions 7:  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-week-14-pff-refocused-minnesota-vikings-20-detroit-lions-7

What we learned from Sunday's Week 14 games (Minnesota Vikings 20, Detroit Lions 7:  1. Short rest? No problem. The Vikings bounced back after their devastating "Monday Night Football" loss, blowing out the lowly Lions at home. It was an affair that had the Vikings' mascot, Viktor, whipping off his mustache in celebration. The Vikings struck first on a Kirk Cousins 9-yard pass to 2019 seventh-round pick Bisi Johnson. Cousins, still without Adam Thielen due to a hamstring injury, connected with Stefon Diggs on 6 receptions for 92 yards and a committee of fellow pass catchers in their balanced offensive attack. Dalvin Cook, who exited last week's contest early due to injury, rushed for 62 yards on 18 carries. Playing a Lions defense that allowed opponents 26.3 points per game, it is surprising the Vikings' offense was stifled several times throughout the game - Including when the Vikings settled for a field goal in second quarter after pushing down to the Lions' 4-yard line. But this is the Vikings' story this season.  2. Rookie quarterback David Blough got the start again for the Lions. Facing a stingy Vikings defense, Blough's outing was an uphill battle from the start. The signal-caller had more sacks than completions in the first quarter. Blough finished the tilt 24-of-40 passing for 205 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. The Lions' lone TD came with 2:09 remaining in the game on 10-yard pass to Kenny Golladay, avoiding the shutout. To Blough's credit, he did march the offense down the field once again but was picked off by Vikings safety Andrew Sendejo in the end zone. Blough did maintain poise despite being sacked 5 times and playing from behind the entire game, which is certainly impressive considering he was thrown into the mix just last week. Running back Bo Scarbrough continues to be an asset for the struggling Lions offense. The Alabama product, who signed with the club last month, toted the ball 19 times for 65 yards. After another impressive outing for Scarbrough it's safe to say he'll draw attention for RB-needy clubs this offseason.  3. It was a sack party in Minneapolis Sunday as the Vikings' defense took down Blough five times. In addition to sweeping the series, Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter made history by becoming the youngest player in NFL history to reach 50.0 career sacks - a record previously held by Robert Quinn. The 25-year-old accounted for three of the five sacks on the day. Everson Griffen and Jaleel Johnson both jumped in on the action too, taking advantage of a porous Lions' offensive line and inexperience signal-caller.  -- Andie Hagemann):  http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001085322/article/what-we-learned-from-sundays-week-14-games

Vikings take a step over hapless Lions:   https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/hapless-lions-were-exactly-what-vikings-needed-to-rebound-stay-alive-in-nfc-north-race/

After strong Blough debut, Vikes say 'whoa' in win vs. Lions:  https://sports.yahoo.com/strong-blough-debut-vikes-whoa-win-vs-lions-001825368--nfl.html

Grades:

Grading the Lions' loss to Vikings: The shine is off David Blough:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/12/08/grading-detroit-lions-20-7-loss-vikings-david-blough-wasnt-good/4373955002/

Justin Rogers' Lions grades: Failing marks all around for disastrous day:  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/12/08/justin-rogers-detroit-lions-grades-failing-marks-all-around-disastrous-day/4374506002/

CBS (Lions: C-.  They can't be given a failing grade for staying within 13 points of the Vikings and, for a while, looking as if they might keep it a one-score game. But pretty much everything else was uninspiring. David Blough doesn't deserve blame for this season, but his confidence was outmatched by his inexperience Sunday, while Detroit's unreliable ground game -- and dependence on it -- did him no favors. This team is hapless.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-14-grades-broncos-get-an-a-for-beating-down-texans-49ers-and-saints-get-same-grade-after-wild-game/

2020 NFL Draft:

College Football Conference Championship Eckrich Team of the Week:  https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-conference-championship-eckrich-team-of-the-week

Video:

Lions vs. Vikings highlights | Week 14:  http://www.nfl.com/videos/detroit-lions/0ap3000001085528/Lions-vs-Vikings-highlights-Week-14

Patricia on 20-7 loss to Vikings:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/patricia-on-20-7-loss-to-vikings

Blough on Week 14 loss to the Minnesota Vikings:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/blough-on-week-14-loss-to-the-minnesota-vikings

Scarbrough on moving forward after Week 14 loss:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/scarbrough-on-moving-forward-after-week-14-loss

Decker on importance of continuing to work on techniques:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/decker-on-importance-of-continuing-to-work-on-techniques

Slay on defense’s second half improvements in loss to Vikings:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/slay-on-defense-s-second-half-improvements-in-loss-to-vikings

Walker on preparing for Buccaneers:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/walker-on-preparing-for-buccaneers

Evaluating the Lions and the Matt Patricia era:  https://www.freep.com/videos/sports/nfl/lions/2019/12/09/detroit-lions-analysis-minnesota-vikings/4378973002/

Rogers, Wojo break down Lions' loss to Vikings:  https://www.detroitnews.com/videos/sports/nfl/lions/2019/12/09/justin-rogers-bob-wojnowski-break-down-lions-loss-vikings/4378813002/