Recap: How the Lions defeated the Vikings 31-9 for NFC North title, No. 1 seed

Detroit running back Jahmyr Gibbs scored four touchdowns while the Vikings struggled in the red zone with the division crown and playoff position on the line on “Sunday Night Football.”

The Minnesota Star Tribune
January 6, 2025 at 4:31AM
Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson can't corral a Sam Darnold pass in the end zone as Minnesota struggled in the red zone in the first half against the Detroit Lions. (Elizabeth Flores/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The Detroit Lions (15-2) claimed NFC North title and the No. 1 seed, a first-round bye and home-field advantage in the playoffs after beating the Vikings 31-9 Sunday night at Ford Field. The Vikings (14-3) are the first 14-win wild card in NFL history and will go on the road to play the NFC West champion Los Angeles Rams (10-7) on Monday, Jan. 13.

This is the live report of the Vikings' regular-season finale against the Lions. To read Ben Goessling’s analysis of the game, go here.

To get exclusive analysis on the Vikings by Ben Goessling in your inbox every Friday, sign up for the free Access Vikings newsletter. Email your Vikings questions to accessvikings@startribune.com.

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Longtime Vikings safety Harrison Smith doesn’t want to forget about Sunday’s 31-9 loss to the Lions that set up a more difficult playoff path. “You learn from losses,” he said. “We learn from this.”

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