Vikings settle for a field goal after an interception
The Vikings had to settle for three points despite starting their most recent drive just seven yards from the end zone.
Minnesota quarterback Sam Darnold threw incomplete to Justin Jefferson on three straight plays, barely missing him on third-and-goal.
After going for it on fourth-and-goal on their last drive, the Vikings opted to take the points this time. Now the Lions lead is 7-3.
Interception, Vikings!
The Lions’ last season went from near disaster to total disaster.
Five plays after Jared Goff was nearly sacked by a safety, his short pass was deflected and intercepted.
Minnesota is driving inside Detroit’s 10-yard line.
Fourth down attempt a rarity for Minnesota
The Vikings’ decision to not kick a field goal and instead go for it on fourth down and goal was atypical of how they have played this season. For one thing, Minnesota had attempted a league-low 10 fourth-down conversions entering Week 18. It was also rare that the Vikings failed to come away with points from their trip to the red zone.
In its last three games, Minnesota had scored a touchdown on 70% of its drives that ended inside the opponent’s 20-yard line (11th best in the NFL).
Vikings lose ground inside 10
The Vikings tried to get a fourth-and-goal from three yards out, but Sam Darnold couldn’t find Justin Jefferson in the end zone, ending the drive.
Minnesota drove 47 yards in eight plays before the climactic play of the drive. Jefferson caught a 31-yard pass to bring the team inside the 10 and set up a goal-to-goal situation.
Without the conversion, the Vikings still trail 7-0.
It’s rare for Minnesota to get shut out early
Minnesota built its 14-2 record by routinely producing strong starts. His 6.8 first-quarter points tied for second-best in the league with Washington, and only behind Tampa Bay. However, against Detroit, two of the league’s best offenses have had trouble getting going, and the Vikings managed just two first downs in the first quarter.
The Lions made their own triple
Brutal advance by the Lions, who lost 21 yards in three plays and punted. A penalty, a pass back and a sack doomed Detroit.
The Vikings will take control with good field position, starting in midfield trailing 7-0.
The Vikings go three by three
The Vikings are unable to respond to the Lions’ touchdown, punting after only three plays. Sam Darnold was sacked on the first down for a loss of 17, and Minnesota couldn’t get out of the hole.
Darnold nearly completed a pass for first on 3rd-and-18, but took down TJ Hockenson down the left seam.
Detroit now takes care of 30 on its own.
Landing, Lions!
One play after Jared Goff delivered a perfect fourth-down pass, the Lions reach the end zone.
Jahmyr Gibbs found a seam up the middle to run 25 yards and score.
One play earlier, Goff took a big hit on 4th-and-5, but found a crosser from Jameson Williams for a first down.
Detroit now leads 7-0.
NFL Wild Card Playoff Schedule Set
The only thing left to determine is who will play in Los Angeles. The Rams will host the loser of this Vikings-Lions game.
The Vikings punt after eight plays.
We are without points after two series after a Vikings punt. Minnesota gained 29 yards in eight plays but couldn’t convert a fourth-and-9 from the edge of Detroit territory.
The Lions will take control on their own 22nd.
Lions punt after six plays
The Lions’ first drive ended in a punt after a third-and-eight from their own 36 lost seven yards. Maybe Detroit was trying to set up a fourth down attempt, but it was a curious play!
The Vikings take power for the first time alone 14.
We’re leaving!
The NFC North Championship Game is underway! The Lions have the ball first and their first play from scrimmage was a two-yard run by Jahmyr Gibbs.
Can Justin Jefferson reach a milestone?
The Vikings wide receiver looks to join Andre Johnson, Marvin Harrison, Antonio Brown and Julio Jones as the only receivers in NFL history to begin their careers with three consecutive seasons with 100-plus receptions and 1,500-plus yards. Jefferson already has 100 receptions but needs 21 more yards tonight to reach 1,500.
Jared Goff seeks his own quarterback history
The Lions quarterback enters Week 18 tied with Tom Brady (2007) and Kirk Cousins (2019) as the only players to have completed at least 75% of their passes in eight games in a season. He can break that tie and own the accuracy record all to himself tonight.
Sam Darnold may join an elite company
If the Vikings quarterback produces a passer rating above 100 tonight, he will join Aaron Rodgers in 2020 as the only quarterbacks in league history to record 14 games in a season with a passer rating of al minus 100, according to the NFL.
Fourth chance factor
Under coach Dan Campbell, the Lions have been the bravest team in the league attempting fourth-down conversions. Since becoming coach in 2021, Detroit is 82-147, a 55.8% success rate; The grades are the highest in the league. Minnesota, with its defense led by coordinator Brian Flores, is apparently one of the defenses best prepared for the Lions’ willingness to gamble. The Vikings have allowed conversions 11 times in 31 attempts this season, a 64.5% stop rate that leads the NFL.
The number one priority
Both Minnesota and Detroit clinched their playoff spots a week ago, but as for their spot, it all comes down to one last game. The stakes are simple, but significant: whoever wins this game will take the NFC’s first playoff spot and, with it, a first-round bye and home-field advantage.
The loser, however, faces consequences, namely one more game. The loser would become the NFC’s fifth seed and open the playoffs with a guaranteed road game during the wild card round, facing the division winner with the worst record. Being the fifth seed could mean three consecutive road games just to reach the Super Bowl. Only the 1985 Bears, 2005 Steelers, 2007 Giants, 2010 Packers and 2020 Bucs won three road playoff games and won the Super Bowl. Detroit is 8-0 on the road this season.
It should be noted that Detroit has never been the number one seed in its long history.
History in the making
This is the first game in NFL history between two teams with at least 13 wins. The Vikings and Lions are 14-2.
This is partly a quirk of the 2021 rule change that added a 17th regular season game. But it’s also a notable testament to how strong the NFC North has been this season while also becoming the most competitive division in the league. Minnesota, Detroit and Green Bay entered Week 18 having outscored their opponents by at least 122 points total this season. Meanwhile, only four other teams in the entire league had a point differential of plus-100 or more.
Another sign of the North’s strength? Entering Week 18, an 11-5 record was only good enough for third place in the division (Green Bay). Meanwhile, that same record would have led three of the league’s other seven divisions.
Featured Quarterbacks
A preseason prediction that Detroit quarterback Jared Goff would make the Pro Bowl wouldn’t have been far-fetched; After a strong run in the postseason last season, the Lions seemed primed for Super Bowl contention. But perhaps no one would have predicted that Minnesota quarterback Sam Darnold would earn a Pro Bowl nod, as he did this week.
Darnold, who was set to be the Vikings’ backup until a preseason injury sidelined Minnesota first-round draft pick JJ McCarthy, has led the Vikings to nine straight wins for the first time in NBA history. the franchise since 1975. And in his last seven games, Darnold has thrown for 18 touchdowns against just two interceptions.
Statistically, Goff has been even better in that same seven-game span, throwing for 20 touchdowns and just one interception. He has helped Goff throw a career-high 36 touchdown passes with one game left.
Pro Bowl selections
As befits the success of these teams this season, each was rewarded with plenty of Pro Bowl recognition.
Seven Lions and six Vikings were named to the league’s de facto all-star roster, which will play a flag football-style game on Feb. 2 in Orlando.