Bro, if you like NFC North chaos, this Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions match player stats breakdown is exactly the kind of game you want to talk about.
We are looking at the Week 18 showdown on January 5, 2025, where the Lions beat the Vikings 31–9 at Ford Field to grab the NFC North title and the number 1 seed in the NFC.
Let’s sit on the metaphorical couch and go through what actually happened, who went off, who struggled, and what all these numbers really mean.
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“Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions match player stats” covers the full breakdown of every major performance from both teams — QB, rushing, receiving, defensive plays, and game-changing moments in one easy summary.
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Our mission is to break down football games in a simple, friendly, and highly accurate way so every fan — casual or hardcore — can understand what really happened. We translate complex stats into clear insights, helping readers enjoy the game deeper and smarter.
Introduction – Why Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions Match Player Stats Matter
Here’s the thing. This was not just another vikings vs lions game. Both teams came in 14–2, fighting for the top seed. The winner got home field and a bye. The loser had to go on the road in the wild card round.
That is why digging into the minnesota vikings vs detroit lions match player stats today is so interesting. You are not just looking at a random box score. You are looking at the game that decided who controlled the NFC playoff picture. Detroit used this win to lock up the number 1 spot. Minnesota dropped to the five seed and had to travel to face the Rams a week later.
On top of that, this matchup lives inside a long rivalry. The Vikings still lead the all time Lions vs Vikings series, 81–45–2, but the Lions have been punching back hard in recent seasons, including this 31–9 statement win and another close meeting in 2024 where they also came out on top.
Quick Game Snapshot – Vikings vs Lions Score, Result And Main Storylines
Final vikings vs lions score: Detroit Lions 31, Minnesota Vikings 9. Minnesota never scored a touchdown. All their points came from Will Reichard field goals, three makes out of four attempts, including one from beyond 50 yards.
The game script was pretty clear. Detroit led 7–0 after the first quarter, 10–6 at halftime, and then slowly turned the pressure up. By the fourth quarter, it felt like the Vikings were hanging on for dear life and the Lions were just leaning on them. The dagger was Jahmyr Gibbs taking over in the second half, stacking touchdown after touchdown and basically breaking Minnesota’s spirit.
So if you just want the short version of the lions vs vikings 2025 score story: the Vikings kicked field goals, the Lions scored touchdowns, and that is usually a recipe for a blowout.
Quick Comparison Table (Simple, Clean, Easy to Understand)
Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions — Key Player Stats Quick Guide
| Category | Minnesota Vikings | Detroit Lions |
| Passing | Lower completion rate, no TDs | High efficiency, steady drives |
| Rushing | Strong yards per carry | Gibbs dominated with multiple TDs |
| Receiving | Jefferson limited, inconsistent | St. Brown & LaPorta reliable targets |
| Defense | 2 INTs, some pressure | More stops, controlled red zone |
| Red Zone | 0/4 (struggled) | 3/3 (perfect) |
| Outcome | Field goals only | Touchdowns that sealed the win |
Bullet Quick Guide: What These Stats Tell You
- Vikings moved the ball, but couldn’t finish drives.
- Lions controlled the entire game, especially in key moments.
- Jahmyr Gibbs was the game-changer, dominating both ground and air.
- Goff stayed efficient, even with two interceptions.
- Minnesota’s red zone struggles cost them any real chance to keep up.
Team Stats Overview – Vikings vs Lions Stats At A Glance
If you look at the vikings vs lions stats from team level, the difference is almost as big as the scoreboard.
Detroit rolled up 394 total yards while Minnesota finished with 262. The Lions had 178 rushing yards to the Vikings’ 120, and 216 passing yards to Minnesota’s 142. Detroit also doubled them up in first downs, 24 to 14.
On top of that, the Lions were way more efficient when it counted. They converted 4 of 7 third downs and went a perfect 3 of 3 in the red zone. Minnesota went just 3 of 13 on third down and came up empty every time they were in the red zone, 0 for 4.
So even before you talk about individual players, the vikings vs lions game flow is simple. Detroit stayed ahead of the chains, finished drives with touchdowns, and controlled the ball. Minnesota moved the ball in spurts but stalled in the most important areas.
Offensive Team Comparison
From an offensive point of view, this was the classic field goal versus touchdown story.
The Vikings did have bright spots on the ground, averaging more than six yards per carry as a team, but because they were chasing the game and struggled on third down, they could not fully commit to the run. In contrast, Detroit kept the whole playbook open, used play action off their dominant run game, and let Jared Goff pick safe, high percentage throws underneath.
That is why, despite throwing two interceptions, Goff still ended with 27 completions on 33 attempts for 231 yards and a touchdown. His offense stayed on schedule, and the vikings vs lions espn box score makes it very clear who had the more balanced attack.
Defensive And Special Teams Comparison
Defensively, the Vikings did have some wins. They picked Goff off twice and managed a couple of sacks.
But the Lions defense had the more comfortable night. Detroit forced the Vikings into long passing downs, hit Sam Darnold repeatedly, and clamped down near the goal line. Special teams also leaned Detroit’s way. Jake Bates nailed his only field goal and all four extra points. Reichard had to settle for field goals instead of extra points and missed one attempt.
When you put it together, the team stats show why the minnesota vikings vs detroit lions live score and stats looked lopsided even though Minnesota actually had some productive drives.
Minnesota Vikings Player Stats – Offensive, Defensive And Special Teams
Vikings Offensive Standouts
Let’s be honest. This was not Sam Darnold’s dream night.
He finished 18 of 41 for 166 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions, with two sacks. That is under 45 percent completion and only four yards per attempt.
On the ground, though, the Vikings quietly did work. Cam Akers had 6 carries for 65 yards, including a long run of 58. Aaron Jones added 45 yards on 10 carries, and Darnold chipped in 10 more on scrambles. Together that gave Minnesota 120 rushing yards on 19 carries, which is actually better than what most teams manage against this Detroit front.
In the passing game, it was a weird mix. Justin Jefferson saw nine targets but caught only three for 54 yards. Jalen Nailor surprised a bit with 3 catches for 53 yards. Aaron Jones was heavily involved as a check down option with five catches for 30 yards. T. J. Hockenson, who usually tears up Detroit, was held to 2 catches for 9 yards on eight targets, which really hurt Minnesota on third downs.
I swear, if you just looked at the box score and saw those numbers for Jefferson and Hockenson, you would not guess this was a game for the NFC’s top seed.
Vikings Defensive And Special Teams Impact
On defense, Minnesota did not completely fold.
Linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. piled up double digit tackles and snagged one of Goff’s two interceptions. Veteran safety Harrison Smith grabbed the other pick. The front seven also recorded two sacks and several tackles for loss, so this was not some soft performance where the Lions just walked down the field untouched.
Special teams was basically the Vikings’ only scoring unit. Reichard went 3 of 4 on field goals and accounted for all 9 points. When your kicker has all your points in a huge vikings vs lions game, that tells you a lot about how the night went.
Detroit Lions Player Stats – Offensive, Defensive And Special Teams
Lions Offensive Standouts
Now let’s talk about the fun part if you are a Lions fan.
Jared Goff was super efficient. He completed 27 of 33 passes for 231 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions. The picks were annoying, but the completion rate and command of the offense were exactly what Detroit needed in this spot.
The real story, though, was Jahmyr Gibbs. Bro, the way he handled that second half, it genuinely felt like he was playing at a different speed. He ran 23 times for 139 yards and three rushing touchdowns, then added 5 catches for 31 yards and another score. That is 170 total yards and four touchdowns in the single biggest game of the season.
He even set a new franchise record by hitting 20 total touchdowns on the season, breaking the previous mark of 17.
In the passing game, Amon Ra St. Brown did his usual thing with 6 catches for 77 yards. Sam LaPorta chipped in 7 grabs for 63 yards. Jameson Williams flashed his speed with 6 receptions for 34 yards. Together they gave Goff easy answers all night so he could stay in rhythm.
Lions Defensive And Special Teams Impact
The Lions defense will not get the same headlines as Gibbs, but they absolutely strangled Minnesota when it mattered.
Alex Anzalone, Kerby Joseph, Brian Branch and Jack Campbell were all over the stat sheet, combining for a ton of tackles, multiple passes defended and constant pressure. Detroit finished with two sacks and a bunch of quarterback hits, forcing Darnold into rushed throws and off target passes.
On special teams, Jake Bates calmly went 1 for 1 on field goals and hit all four extra points. Kalif Raymond added some solid punt returns to help with field position. Nothing flashy, but when your opponent’s kicker has all their points and yours has only seven, it usually means your offense did the heavy lifting.
Key Matchups And Turning Points In The Vikings vs Lions Game
If you zoom out from the raw minnesota vikings vs detroit lions match player stats, a few matchups really decided things.
First, the Lions offensive line versus the Vikings front seven. Detroit consistently opened lanes for Gibbs and kept Goff mostly clean. Minnesota did get a couple of sacks and some hits, but not enough to knock the Lions out of rhythm.
Second, Detroit’s receivers against Minnesota’s secondary. St. Brown, LaPorta and Williams did not post crazy fantasy numbers, but they kept moving the chains. Every time the Vikings needed a stop, Goff found someone just beyond the sticks. On the other side, Jefferson and Hockenson never really got loose, and that killed Minnesota’s ability to convert red zone trips into touchdowns.
The real turning point was mid third quarter into the fourth. That is when Gibbs started stacking touchdowns. You could feel the air come out of Minnesota, and Ford Field turned into a party. That stretch is the difference between a close vikings vs lions score and the 31–9 beatdown we ended up with.
Advanced Metrics – Efficiency, Red Zone And Situational Stats
Now let’s get a little nerdy for a second.
Detroit’s edge in third down and red zone efficiency is huge. Converting 4 of 7 third downs and all three red zone trips into touchdowns is almost perfect situational football. Minnesota’s 3 of 13 on third down and 0 of 4 in the red zone is the exact opposite.
Time of possession also tells the story. The Lions held the ball more than 36 minutes while the Vikings had it under 24. When one team is constantly on the field, their run game gets stronger, the play action gets more believable, and the defense stays fresh.
So when people talk about minnesota vikings vs detroit lions match player stats all, it is not just the yards and touchdowns. It is the down and distance, the third down wins, the red zone execution and how long your defense has to stand out there.
Today’s Vikings vs Lions Match Player Stats vs Rivalry History And Future Games
The cool part is how this single night fits into the long Vikings Lions rivalry.
Historically, Minnesota has dominated the series, but the last few seasons have been way more balanced, with the Lions winning several big games, including this 31–9 clincher and a tight 31–29 win in October 2024. Then in November 2025, the Vikings bounced back with a 27–24 win over Detroit, reminding everyone this thing goes in cycles.
Looking ahead to matchups like lions vs vikings 2026, this game gives you a template. If Detroit can keep running the ball like this and stay sharp on third down, they will always be dangerous. If Minnesota can fix their red zone playcalling and get their stars freer against Detroit’s secondary, they will swing some of these big games back their way.
So these vikings vs lions stats are not just numbers from one night. They are hints about how these two teams might trade blows for the next few years.
How To Use Vikings vs Lions Match Player Stats – Fantasy, Betting And Beyond
Fantasy Football And DFS Takeaways
From a fantasy point of view, this game was simple.
Jahmyr Gibbs was a league winner. Four touchdowns and 170 yards from scrimmage is the kind of line that wins playoff matchups by itself. Amon Ra and LaPorta gave you solid PPR floors. On the Vikings side, Jefferson and Jones were more “hold your nose and take the volume” plays rather than game breakers.
If you are looking at minnesota vikings vs detroit lions match player stats today through a fantasy lens, you learn a couple of things:
- Detroit will lean heavily on Gibbs in big games
- Minnesota’s running backs can still be efficient, even in losses
- Game script matters a ton for Darnold and this passing offense
Betting And Prop Insights From Vikings vs Lions Stats
In terms of betting, the Lions covered, the underdog Vikings never really threatened, and Gibbs smashed most rushing and touchdown props.
Red zone and third down numbers explain why. Detroit’s ability to finish drives meant spread bettors and touchdown prop backers had a great night. On the other hand, anyone hoping for a shootout based on the high total probably felt the pain of all those Vikings field goals.
So when you look at vikings vs lions stats before placing a bet, pay attention to situational metrics, not just total yards.
Applying This Framework To Other Games (49ers vs Arizona Cardinals)
You can use the same approach for other matchups, like a 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals match player stats breakdown.
For example, when the Cardinals beat the 49ers 47–24 behind Kyler Murray’s four touchdown passes and Marvin Harrison Jr’s big day, the story is very similar. Efficient quarterback play, explosive offense and better red zone finishing usually show up in the stats well before you ever see the final score.
Once you learn to read games this way, every box score starts to look like a story, not just a set of numbers.
Trusted Sources For Live Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions Match Player Stats
If you ever want to double check vikings vs lions box score numbers or follow minnesota vikings vs detroit lions live score and stats in real time, there are a few go to spots.
- ESPN gives you a clean box score, play by play and team stats for every vikings vs lions game, including this 31–9 matchup.
- CBS Sports and Fox Sports both offer live tracking, drive charts and sortable player stats that are great for fantasy and betting decisions.
- Sites like StatMuse and FootballDB are perfect if you want to compare multiple lions vs vikings 2025 and 2024 games at once or look up historical trends.
These sources help you stay grounded in real numbers while still talking ball with your own hot takes.
Conclusion – What We Learned From Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions Match Player Stats
So what did we really learn from all these minnesota vikings vs detroit lions match player stats?
We learned that Detroit, at least on this night, was the more complete team. They ran the ball better, finished drives, won third downs, and rode a star performance from Jahmyr Gibbs to lock up the NFC’s number 1 seed. We learned that Minnesota can move the ball but still has real issues in the red zone and on high leverage downs when their stars are taken away.
Most of all, we saw that this vikings vs lions rivalry is in a very spicy phase. The Lions are no longer the little brother. The Vikings still have the better all time record, but nights like this 31–9 win, plus the close thrillers around it, make future games, like those fans are already calling lions vs vikings 2026, feel like must watch football.
And honestly, bro, seeing a game where one young back drops four touchdowns in a division title decider. I did not expect him to rack up that many yards, but that is what makes digging into these stats so fun. You do not just remember the score. You remember exactly how it happened.
Disclaimer:
This article is for informational and football-discussion purposes only. All stats, scores, and details are based on publicly available game data. No insider information, betting guarantees, or professional sports advice is provided.
