The NFC North division title and the NFC’s No. 1 playoff seed came down to a crucial Week 18 game, which the Detroit Lions ultimately dominated.
On Sunday night, the Lions faced off against the Vikings with a first-round playoff bye at stake, capping the NFL’s regular season. Detroit emerged victorious, securing the NFC’s top seed for the first time in franchise history with a 31-9 win on home turf.
The Lions’ defense stifled Minnesota, preventing the Vikings from reaching the end zone, while running back Jahmyr Gibbs’ four-touchdown performance powered Detroit to its 15th win of the season.
As the NFC’s No. 1 seed, Detroit now enjoys a bye until the divisional round of the playoffs, while Minnesota, despite a 14-3 record, will travel to Los Angeles next weekend to face the Rams as the conference’s No. 5 seed.
With major playoff implications on the line in “Sunday Night Football,” the game remained close through the first half. Although Sam Darnold struggled (166 passing yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions) against the Lions’ defense, Minnesota intercepted two of Jared Goff’s passes, managing a few red-zone trips. However, Detroit’s defense, despite a season marked by injuries, only allowed turnovers or field goals.
Minnesota’s inability to convert in the red zone proved costly, and Detroit pulled away in the second half. After Goff connected with Gibbs for a 10-yard touchdown, the Lions’ offense took control. Gibbs (28 touches, 170 total yards) added two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter, finishing with four on the night and a league-leading 20 for the regular season.
While Detroit showed signs of vulnerability during parts of the game, with Minnesota staying within reach of the No. 1 seed, head coach Dan Campbell’s aggressive fourth-down strategy played a key role in securing the victory. With just two losses out of 17 games, the Lions enter the playoffs as a legitimate Super Bowl contender, making it clear that the NFC will run through Detroit.
Minnesota, on the other hand, will need to recover quickly from a disappointing performance in a game where it had several chances to take control. Facing the Rams in the first round, the Vikings will need Darnold and their defense to bounce back after what was just their third loss. The NFL playoffs officially began, with “Sunday Night Football” being the final game of Week 18.
The Sporting News provided live updates and highlights as the Lions and Vikings battled for the NFC North and the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Here’s a summary of key moments:
Lions vs. Vikings Score
Key Updates and Highlights
Final: Lions 31, Vikings 9
- 11:30 p.m. — Detroit runs out the clock, securing the NFC’s No. 1 seed and a first-round playoff bye. The Vikings, after a tough loss, will travel to face the Rams in the wild-card round.
- 11:20 p.m. — Minnesota’s final attempt to score falls short as Darnold’s pass on 4th & 15 is incomplete. The Lions’ defense consistently pressured him all night.
- 11:06 p.m. — Touchdown — Gibbs scores his fourth touchdown of the night, cementing Detroit’s lead and the NFC’s No. 1 seed.
- 10:48 p.m. — Touchdown — Gibbs completes his hat trick with a 13-yard touchdown run, extending Detroit’s lead to 15 points.
- 10:32 p.m. — Touchdown — Campbell’s bold decision on fourth down pays off when Goff connects with Gibbs for another touchdown, giving Detroit a crucial eight-point lead.
- 10:19 p.m. — Minnesota struggles to capitalize on opportunities and settles for a 51-yard field goal, keeping the game within one point.
- 9:49 p.m. — Touchdown — Gibbs scores the first touchdown of the game, breaking free for a 25-yard run after Campbell’s decision to go for it on fourth down pays off.
- 9:21 p.m. — Minnesota finally gets on the board with a field goal after the Lions’ defense stops them from scoring a touchdown.
Halftime: Lions 10, Vikings 6
- 9:42 p.m. — The Lions add to their lead with a field goal just before halftime.
- 9:18 p.m. — Minnesota nearly has a chance to score after intercepting Goff, but they fail to capitalize.
The Lions and Vikings’ battle ultimately led to Detroit’s historic NFC North title and No. 1 seed, setting up an exciting playoff run for the Lions while Minnesota looks to regroup before their wild-card matchup with the Rams.
