Lions top previously unbeaten Vikings 31-29 on late FG to cap NFC North thriller

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – The Detroit Lions clinched the division title for the first time in 30 years with a thrilling victory over the Minnesota Vikings, solidifying their quest for another NFC North championship. Jake Bates delivered the game-winner, a 44-yard field goal with just 15 seconds left, leading to a hard-fought 31-29 win that handed the Vikings their first loss of the season.

Jahmyr Gibbs was instrumental, rushing for 116 yards and scoring two of Detroit’s three touchdowns in the second quarter. His performance helped quarterback Jared Goff orchestrate a rapid 48-yard drive, allowing Bates to line up for the decisive kick while forcing Minnesota to use their timeouts.

Bates, who joined the team from the United Football League after incumbent Michael Badgley was injured in training camp, has been flawless this season, going 10 for 10 on field goals.

Goff had an outstanding day, completing 22 of 25 passes for 280 yards with touchdown passes to Amon-Ra St. Brown and Kalif Raymond, maintaining a passer rating over 140 for the third consecutive game. He joins legends like Aaron Rodgers and Kurt Warner in achieving this feat.

Gibbs finished the game with 150 total yards, showcasing the Lions’ dominance at the line of scrimmage against a Vikings defense that had been one of the toughest in the league.

The Vikings made a late push when Ivan Pace Jr. returned a fumble from David Montgomery for a touchdown, briefly giving Minnesota a one-point lead after trailing 21-10 at halftime. However, a missed 2-point conversion pass by Sam Darnold proved costly.

As the game wound down, the Vikings advanced to midfield but were thwarted by a penalty that pushed them out of field goal range. Darnold was ultimately sacked, sealing the Lions’ fourth straight win over the Vikings, their longest streak in the series since the early 1960s.

With this victory, the Lions (5-1) now share the division lead with the Vikings, while the Green Bay Packers (5-2) are half a game back and the Chicago Bears (4-2) trail by one game. The NFC North has boasted the highest combined winning percentage for any division in NFL history entering Week 7.

Minnesota’s Aaron Jones rushed for 93 yards and a touchdown, despite a hamstring injury, while Justin Jefferson added 81 receiving yards and a score. Darnold completed 22 of 27 passes for 259 yards but had a crucial interception and missed several key throws.

The Lions excelled in the second quarter, executing three scoring drives of at least 69 yards, outsmarting the Vikings’ defensive schemes. Goff emphasized the importance of staying calm after initially trailing.

Injury updates included Montgomery returning after limping off in the first quarter. The Vikings were without linebacker Blake Cashman due to a toe injury.

Next up, the Lions will host the Tennessee Titans, while the Vikings will face the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night.