Detroit is undefeated (2-0) on Sunday Night Football this season, having defeated the Rams and Texans, and they also won their first meeting of the year against Minnesota in mid-October.
Vikings report: After suffering consecutive losses to the Lions and Rams in October, Minnesota has since won nine straight games, with seven victories by 10 points or fewer, keeping pace with Detroit in the NFC North.
During this streak, quarterback Sam Darnold has been on fire, throwing 18 touchdowns and just two interceptions in his last seven games. Recently, he has thrown three passing touchdowns in each of his last two games, both victories over Seattle and Green Bay. Star wide receiver Justin Jefferson ranks second in the NFL with 1,479 receiving yards, having caught 100 passes and scored 10 touchdowns, five of which came in the last four games.
On defense, linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel leads the team with 11.5 sacks, tying him for first among all linebackers. His teammate, Jonathan Greenard, follows closely with 11.0 sacks. Together, they have totaled 33 tackles for loss, contributing to a Minnesota defense that ranks second in rushing defense and fourth in points allowed per game (18.8).
However, Minnesota has struggled against Detroit recently, losing five of their last six matchups, including their last victory at Ford Field in January 2021.
Last meeting: In Week 7, Detroit handed Minnesota its first loss of the season with a 31-29 win at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter, but Detroit responded with two Jahmyr Gibbs touchdowns and a Jared Goff pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown, giving the Lions a 21-10 lead at halftime. After exchanging touchdowns in the third quarter, Minnesota regained the lead with a fumble recovery for a touchdown. However, on the Lions’ final possession, Goff led them down the field to set up a Jake Bates 44-yard game-winning field goal.
Playoff picture:
| Conference | No. 1 | No. 2 | No. 3 | No. 4 | No. 5 | No. 6 | No. 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFC | KC (15-1)*z | BUF (13-3)*y | BAL (11-5)*x | HOU (9-7)*y | PIT (10-6)*x | LAC (10-6)*x | DEN (9-7) |
| NFC | DET (14-2)*x | PHI (13-3)*y | LAR (10-6)*y | TB (9-7) | MIN (14-2)*x | WAS (11-5)*x | GB (11-5)*x |
- AFC: 8. MIA (8-8), 9. CIN (8-8)
- NFC: 9. ATL (8-8)
*z: Clinched No. 1 seed, home-field advantage and first-round bye
*y: Clinched division
*x: Clinched a playoff spot
Quick hits:
- Sunday’s game marks the first regular-season NFL game in history where both teams have 13-plus wins before kickoff.
- Since the introduction of playoff seeding in 1975, the No. 1 seed has reached the Super Bowl 55.1% of the time, compared to just 3.3% for the No. 5 seed.
- Detroit ranks third in the league with 20 successful fourth-down conversions, while Minnesota is last with only six.
Data dive:
Stats are based on Weeks 1-17 followed by rank.
| Team | Total Offense | Total Defense | Rushing Offense | Passing Offense | Rushing Defense | Passing Defense | Takeaways |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lions | 410.5 (2) | 347.4 (22) | 144.4 (6) | 266.1 (2) | 97 (3) | 250.4 (31) | 24 (T-8) |
| Vikings | 352.3 (12) | 331.8 (16) | 108.4 (19) | 243.8 (5) | 88.1 (2) | 243.6 (28) | 31 (T-1) |
Next on the schedule:
Next on the schedule:
Minnesota: WIN – First-round bye, LOSS/TIE – at TB, ATL or LAR
Detroit: WIN/TIE – First-round bye, LOSS – at TB, ATL or LAR
Here are five Vikings storylines to watch heading into Sunday night’s game:
- Justin Jefferson on matchup with Lions: ‘The whole world will be watching and I’m excited to be a part of it’ Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson shared his excitement about playing the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football at Ford Field. WATCH
- T.J. Hockenson on playing in Detroit: It’s us against everybody … it’s going to be special Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson discussed what it means for him to play against his former team on the road in Week 18. WATCH
- Sam Darnold’s evolution this season, winning tight games, keys to winning Sunday night vs. Lions | X’s and O’s with Kevin O’Connell Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell spoke with Vikings play-by-play announcer Paul Allen about quarterback Sam Darnold’s development and what it will take to defeat Detroit on Sunday. WATCH
- Harrison Smith on importance of Sunday’s game in Detroit, what makes this team so special and more Minnesota Vikings veteran safety Harrison Smith spoke with Tatum Everett about the significance of Sunday’s game in Detroit and what makes the team special. WATCH
- MVP: Ron Johnson previews the Week 18 battle vs. the Lions – Episode 302 Vikings’ on-air talent and associate producer Tatum Everett hosted Detroit native Ron Johnson on the MVP podcast, previewing the Sunday Night Football matchup. LISTEN
