Lions strike first with a LaPorta TD, but Vikings answer with Jefferson's magic. McCarthy orchestrates a quick comeback, seizing the early lead.
An extra hour is all fun and games until you realize you’re waiting seven hours for football instead of the usual six.
The Detroit Lions hosted the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on a beautiful Sunday afternoon—where the sun might shine outside, but under the roof, the Lions hoped to shine brighter.
Detroit entered the game at 5–2, sitting second in the division and holding the top Wild Card slot at the halfway mark of the season. After last year’s 15–2 campaign ended in an early playoff loss, this year has been all about revenge.
The Vikings, meanwhile, entered at 3–4 and looked like a team falling apart at the seams. After last year’s 14–3 mark that saw Sam Darnold earn MVP consideration, the wheels fell off following J.J. McCarthy’s injury. But the former Wolverine returned to make just his third NFL start—on the road in Michigan, no less.
First Quarter
The game began with the Lions offense taking the field. Sam LaPorta opened the day with a first down catch, followed by backup tight end Brick Wright adding another. Jahmyr Gibbs picked up six on the ground, but a second-down incompletion led to a third and four. Jared Goff rolled right but missed Amon-Ra St. Brown near the sideline.
Detroit stayed aggressive, keeping the offense on the field for fourth down. Goff found LaPorta again—this time for a 40-yard touchdown. The rookie tight end dragged five Vikings defenders into the end zone for a 7–0 Lions lead.
Minnesota answered quickly. A big return gave them great field position at the Lions’ 36-yard line. Aaron Jones ripped off a first down run, and after a couple of stops, McCarthy found Jones again on a screen for another chunk gain. On first and goal, McCarthy fired a frozen rope to Justin Jefferson, who made a ridiculous one-handed touchdown grab over his former high school rival, Amik Robertson.
The Lions’ next drive stalled quickly. After two failed plays and a pre-snap penalty, a screen to Jameson Williams lost yards, forcing a three-and-out.
Minnesota stayed hot, with McCarthy connecting on short passes before hitting Jordan Addison deep for a first down. He followed that up with a touchdown strike to T.J. Hockenson, putting the Vikings ahead 14–7.
Detroit tried to respond late in the first. After a sack on first down, Goff converted a key third down to St. Brown, but the drive again sputtered under heavy pressure from the Vikings front. Another sack ended the drive and brought out Jack Fox for the punt.
The Vikings took over deep in their own territory with 31 seconds left in the quarter. A short run from Jordan Mason ended the first quarter with Minnesota up 14–7.
Second Quarter
The Lions defense finally showed life to open the second. On second down, they pressured McCarthy into a sack, and T.J. Hockenson dropped a third-down pass, forcing the Vikings’ first punt of the day.
Kalif Raymond’s return set up Detroit at the Vikings’ 35-yard line. A few plays later, Goff found LaPorta again before handing off to David Montgomery for two tough runs. Goff then hit Montgomery on a swing pass that set up first and goal. After a near-miss to St. Brown, the Lions faced fourth and one from the two-yard line. Dan Campbell stayed true to form—Montgomery powered it in to tie the game 14–14.
Minnesota answered with another solid drive. After a one-yard scramble and a penalty, McCarthy hit Aaron Jones on a wheel route for 31 yards. A questionable penalty gave the Vikings more yardage, but the Lions defense tightened up. Jack Campbell burst through for a big sack, forcing Minnesota to settle for a field goal and a 17–14 lead.
Detroit’s offense continued to struggle with protection issues, going three-and-out yet again after a batted pass on third down.
With just over three minutes left in the half, the Vikings took over and benefitted from more questionable officiating—drawing multiple penalties that extended the drive. But “the ball don’t lie,” as McCarthy was sacked again and misfired on a few passes.
Then, with under a minute left before halftime, rookie corner Terrion Arnold came up big—snagging his first career interception on a tipped pass.
The Lions had 47 seconds to work with but failed to capitalize, going three-and-out before punting it back to Minnesota. The Vikings kneeled out the half.
At the break, the Lions trailed 17–14, looking to regroup and clean up both their protection and discipline heading into the second half.