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Here we go again. Another day, another collection of random stats. But this time we’re stuck with the same problem we had the week the Lions played the Packers. You guys have seen all of these already. So here’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to make it about November.
Everyone loves the month of November. There’s Thanksgiving, my birthday, Survivor Series if you’re a wrestling fan, Christmas music a month and a half too early, it might snow, it probably won’t snow, and Lions vs. Vikings.
The Lions have played the Vikings 113 times since their first meeting in November of 1961. The Lions have played 34 times in the month of November. And it’s been really bad for the Lions. They’re 9-23-2 against the purple team in this month.
It’s not all bad though. The Lions have won two of the last three meetings in November and even have the last away win in this month. You may remember that game. It’s one where Golden Tate... and now I’m crying.
Before that game, the Lions hadn’t beaten the Vikings in November since 1997. Tommy Vardell had himself a game that day. He scored three touchdowns on the Vikings in a 38-15 win in the Silverdome.
Interesting enough, Vardell would have another three touchdown game in November the next year when he torched the Bears for four yards. That’s right, I said four. That game is special because it was my first ever game. It was for my birthday. By the way guys, my birthday is this month.
To the questions!
When was the last time Lions shut the Vikings out and vice versa/how many times has it happened?
— Nick Schramm (@NickSchramm4) November 2, 2018
The last time the Lions shut out the Vikings was never. The Lions have never shut out the Vikings. The Vikings have shut out the Lions though — they’ve done it four times. But don’t worry, the last time it happened was in 1993 when the Vikings beat the Lions 13-0.
What is the Lions record against teams starting a qb from Michigan State?
— Matt Gibbons (@thegibb2) November 2, 2018
That’s a tough one. Because I’m not sure if you mean against the Vikings or just in general. So I’ll split it a bit.
In terms of all time, the Lions are 4-4-1 against MSU quarterbacks going back to Al Dorrow. Old Al led the Washington Redskins to an 18-17 win over the Lions in November of 1956.
As far as the Vikings go, they have never had a quarterback from Michigan State. At least as far as I could see. But the one time Kirk Cousins played the Lions, the Redskins lost. So there is that.
Here's a stat for you Adam Thielen has zero touchdowns vs the @Lions
— Mary Lamos (@lamos_mary) November 2, 2018
Stop trying to steal my thunder, Mary. She’s absolutely right though. Adam Thielen, the greatest receiver that ever lived now according to everyone on Twitter, has never scored on the Lions. In fact, he’s never really had that great of a performance against the Lions either. His best day was a last Thanksgiving when he caught eight balls for 89 yards. That’s not a bad day. Trust that Slay will spend his day shadowing him.