Lions Take Down Vikings to Win NFC North, Clinch No. 1 Seed
DETROIT — Jahmyr Gibbs delivered a standout performance, scoring three of his franchise-record-tying four touchdowns in the second half, as the Detroit Lions powered past the Minnesota Vikings 31-9 on Sunday night. With this victory, the Lions secured their second consecutive NFC North title and clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
“Everybody’s got to come through here, baby!” exclaimed Detroit defensive end Za’Darius Smith to a jubilant crowd at Ford Field after the game. The Lions, who improved to 15-2 on the season, will now enjoy a crucial bye week while the Vikings (14-3) prepare for their wild-card matchup against the NFC West champion Los Angeles Rams next Monday night. Notably, the Vikings opened as early -2.5 favorites, according to ESPN BET.
Historic Regular-Season Finale
In what was a thrilling conclusion to the NFL’s regular season, Sunday’s game marked the first time two teams with a combined 28 victories met in a regular-season finale. This was only the third instance in over three decades where a No. 1 seed was determined on the final day of the regular season.
The last such instance came in 1993, when the Dallas Cowboys clinched the top seed with a 16-13 overtime victory over the New York Giants. Dallas went on to capitalize on their top seed, winning the Super Bowl that year. The Lions are hoping for a similar outcome as they chase their first Super Bowl appearance and aim to end a championship drought that dates back to 1957.
Gibbs Shines in Key Moments
Although the game was billed as a potential shootout between Pro Bowl quarterbacks Jared Goff and Sam Darnold, both signal-callers struggled at times. Stepping up in their place, Jahmyr Gibbs was the driving force behind Detroit’s offense.
Gibbs recorded 23 carries for 139 yards and three rushing touchdowns, in addition to five receptions for 31 yards and a receiving touchdown. His four-touchdown performance tied a franchise record and provided the Lions with the spark they needed to break away in the second half.
“We leaned on Jahmyr, and he came through in a big way,” said Lions head coach Dan Campbell. “He’s been a game-changer all season, and tonight was no different.”
Goff Overcomes Mistakes
Jared Goff, despite throwing two interceptions, played a pivotal role in key moments. After the Vikings closed the gap to 10-9 early in the third quarter, Goff orchestrated a methodical 13-play, 70-yard drive that consumed over seven minutes of game time. He capped the drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Gibbs on fourth-and-2, putting Detroit up 17-9.
Goff completed all eight of his pass attempts on that drive and finished the game 27 of 33 for 231 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions.
Missed Opportunities Haunt Vikings
Minnesota, on the other hand, struggled to capitalize on key scoring opportunities. The Vikings were 0-for-3 in red-zone efficiency during the first half and trailed 10-6 at halftime.
In the second quarter, facing a fourth-and-goal situation from the Lions’ 3-yard line, Sam Darnold overthrew a wide-open Justin Jefferson in the end zone. Early in the third quarter, the Vikings again failed to convert on fourth down, this time from Detroit’s 2-yard line.
Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell’s decision-making came under scrutiny late in the third quarter when he opted to attempt a 51-yard field goal while trailing by eight points. Rookie kicker Will Reichard missed wide right, leaving the Vikings without any points on the drive.
“We didn’t execute when it mattered most,” O’Connell admitted post-game. “Against a team like Detroit, you have to finish those drives.”
Darnold’s Struggles
Sam Darnold had one of his least efficient outings of the season, completing just 18 of 41 passes (44%) for 214 yards. He failed to connect consistently with star receiver Justin Jefferson, who was held to three receptions for 54 yards on nine targets.
Despite the loss, O’Connell expressed confidence in his team heading into the playoffs. “We’ll learn from this and be ready for next week,” he said. “We’ve been a resilient group all season, and I expect nothing less in the playoffs.”
Looking Ahead
With the No. 1 seed secured, Detroit now turns its attention to preparing for a deep playoff run. The bye week will give the Lions time to rest and recover from a grueling season.
Meanwhile, the Vikings face a tough road matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams, led by an explosive offense and a stout defense, will pose a significant challenge for Minnesota. The winner of that game could potentially face Detroit in a divisional-round showdown.
“We’re ready for whatever comes next,” said Campbell. “This is just the beginning. We’ve got bigger goals ahead.”
For Lions fans, the dream of a Super Bowl appearance feels closer than ever. With home-field advantage and a dynamic team firing on all cylinders, Detroit is poised to make a serious run at history.