It was not an easy win. Divisional road wins rarely are. But the Detroit Lions gritted out a hard-fought win over the Vikings in Minnesota.
The win elevates the Lions to 11-4 and clinches the NFC North division for the first time in franchise history. The second-place Vikings will now compete for a wild-card berth as they fall to 7-8 with two weeks left.
Detroit led 17-14 at the half after trading scores with their hosts. Minnesota closed the gap late with a too-easy touchdown pass from Nick Mullens to K.J. Osborn with less than a minute to play in the half.
Dan Campbell’s Lions responded after the Vikings took a lead, with Jared Goff and Jahmyr Gibbs leading two touchdown drives to go on top 30-21. The Vikings weren’t done, however.
Mullens led a drive that resulted in a field goal, a series where the Lions defense stiffened in the red zone. After a ponderously designed offensive drive from Detroit, the Vikings had a last shot. Detroit’s defense came up with its fourth interception of the game, with Ifea Melifonwu stepping in front of Jstin Jefferson near the goal line to seal the game and the division title.
Gibbs gained exactly 100 yards (80 rushing, 20 receiving) and scored twice, along with an early lost fumble. Goff played mistake-free, completing 30 of his 40 passes for 257 yards and a touchdown. The Lions defense had four sacks to go with the INTs, two from Kerby Joseph.
The Lions will be at least the No. 3 seed and will host a playoff game in Ford Field for the first time.