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Detroit Lions’ defense smashed up in 42-30 loss to Minnesota

Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones, center, is tackled by Minnesota Vikings free safety Harrison Smith, left, and outside linebacker Anthony Barr, second from top, in Detroit on Sunday. (AP photo)

DETROIT (AP) — Kirk Cousins matched a career high with four touchdown passes, leading the surging Minnesota Vikings to a 42-30 win over the slumping Detroit Lions on Sunday.

The Vikings (5-2) have won three consecutive games in part because their quarterback is making plays to complement one of the NFL’s top defenses.

Matthew Stafford also threw four touchdown passes, all to Marvin Jones, and became the fastest to reach 40,000 yards passing in NFL history. And Jones became the first Lions player in the Super Bowl era with four receiving TDs in a game.

The Lions (2-3-1) dropped their third straight game after a 2-0-1 start and they probably can’t complain too much about officiating in their latest setback. The Lions had some critical penalty calls go against them in a 23-22 loss to Green Bay on Monday night.

Detroit’s defense simply couldn’t get Cousins off the field on Sunday.

Lions head coach Matt Patricia talks with line judge Julian Mapp during the first half against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday in Detroit. (AP photo)

Cousins was 24 of 34 for a season-high 337 yards and four TDs without an interception. He led the Vikings on four straight TD drives starting in the first quarter and ending in the third, going ahead for the first time on a 5-yard pass to C.J. Ham to make it 28-21.

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