Lions–Vikings rivalry
![]() Lions and Vikings face off during the 2012 season. | |
Detroit Lions
Minnesota Vikings
| |
Location | Detroit, Minneapolis |
---|---|
First meeting | November 19, 1961 Lions 37, Vikings 10 |
Latest meeting | January 7, 2024 Lions 30, Vikings 20 |
Next meeting | October 20, 2024 |
Stadiums | Lions: Ford Field Vikings: U.S. Bank Stadium |
Statistics | |
Meetings total | 125 |
All-time series | Vikings: 80–43–2 |
Largest victory | Lions: 45–7 (1981) Vikings: 34-0 (1980) |
Longest win streak | Lions: 5 (1961–1963) Vikings: 13 (1968–1974) |
Current win streak | Lions: 3 (2022–present) |
Championship Success | |
Super Bowl Championships (0)
NFL championships (pre-1970 AFL–NFL merger) (5) NFL Championships appearances (pre-1970 AFL–NFL merger) (6) Division Championships (26)
Wild Card Berths (13) |
The Lions–Vikings rivalry is an American football rivalry between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings.[1] It is the most lopsided divisional rivalry in the NFC based on winning percentage.
The Lions and Vikings have played twice annually since the Vikings entered the league's Western Conference in 1961. The two teams moved to the NFC Central after the AFL-NFL merger in 1970, which became the NFC North after the NFL's 2002 realignment. This is the only NFC North rivalry without any head-to-head postseason meetings. Both teams play in indoor stadiums, and both are known for their bad luck.
Since the rivalry's establishment with the Vikings joining the NFL in 1961, Minnesota has largely dominated the series. The most lopsided decades were in the 1970s and 2000s, with the Vikings going 35–5 against the Lions in those two decades. The Vikings lead the series 80–43–2 as of 2023.[2]
2000s: Vikings Dominate the Rivalry
[edit]In the 2000s, the Vikings had a commanding 18–2 record against the Lions.
2020s: Lions and Vikings compete for playoffs
[edit]In the 2021 offseason, the Lions decided to trade QB Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for QB Jared Goff, a 2021 third-round pick and two first-round picks in 2022 and 2023.[3]
In the 2021 season, the Lions and Vikings experienced slow starts before their encounter in Minneapolis on October 10. Going into the 4th quarter, the Vikings held a 13–6 lead. K Greg Joseph added to the Vikings' score by making another field goal, increasing their lead to 16–6. A failed 4th down attempt by the Lions allowed the Vikings to gain possession on Detroit's 34-yard line. Despite having successfully converted 3 field goals earlier, Joseph missed the 49-yard field goal. The Lions quickly responded by converting a field goal, making it 16–9. The Vikings encountered misfortune as RB Alexander Mattison fumbled the ball, allowing LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin to recover it at Minnesota's 20-yard line with less than 2 minutes remaining. RB D'Andre Swift capitalized on the turnover by scoring a touchdown. Instead of playing it safe and aiming for overtime, HC Dan Campbell decided to go for a two-point conversion. Goff's pass to WR KhaDarel Hodge successfully put the Lions ahead at 17–16. The Vikings got the ball back with 33 seconds left. QB Kirk Cousins completed two deep passes to WR Adam Thielen for 40 yards and one pass to WR Dede Westbrook for 6 yards to set up a 54-yard game-winning field goal try with 3 seconds left. Joseph redeemed himself by successfully making the kick, securing a thrilling 19–17 victory for the Vikings. This win also marked the eighth consecutive victory for the Vikings over the Lions.[4] After suffering consecutive defeats on game-winning field goals (the first one against the Baltimore Ravens), Dan Campbell was visibly emotional during the post-game press conference. He expressed, "When you see your players give all that they have and you lose that way, it's tough. You know, you don't want that for them."[5][6]
The Lions were still on the hunt for their first win of the season when they clashed again in Detroit on December 5. With a standing of 0–10–1, their most recent victory dated back to December 6, 2020, against the Chicago Bears, slightly over a year ago. The Vikings took a 6–0 lead in the 1st quarter, but the Lions swiftly turned the tables by scoring 20 consecutive points, resulting in a 20–6 lead for them at halftime. The Vikings trimmed the lead to 23–21 by the start of the 4th quarter. With hopes of closing out the game, the Lions took a risk by going for it on 4th-and-one from their own 28-yard line. However, Goff was sacked by LB Blake Lynch and fumbled the ball, which Lynch promptly recovered. The Vikings took advantage of this turnover, with Cousins connecting with WR Justin Jefferson for a touchdown, giving them a 27–23 lead with only 1:50 left on the clock. Without any timeouts, Goff engineered a 75-yard drive into Minnesota territory. In the final play with just 4 seconds left, Goff connected with WR Amon-Ra St. Brown for an 11-yard touchdown pass, securing a 29-27 Lions victory. The Lions not only ended an eight-game losing streak against the Vikings but also celebrated their first win in 364 days.[7]
Game results
[edit]Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings season-by-season results | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1960s (Lions, 9–7–2)
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1970s (Vikings, 17–3)
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1980s (Vikings, 13–6)
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1990s (Tied, 10–10)
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2000s (Vikings, 18–2)
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2010s (Vikings, 11–9)
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2020s (Tied, 4–4)
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Summary of results
|
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Sanders, Charlie; Paladino, Larry (2005). Charlie Sanders's Tales from the Detroit Lions. Sports Publishing LLC. ISBN 9781582619101.
- ^ Glover, Ted (2018-12-21). "A brief look at Vikings/Lions history". Daily Norseman. SB Nation. Retrieved 2019-12-24.
- ^ Jackson, Stu (March 18, 2021). "Rams trade Jared Goff, future draft picks to Lions for Matthew Stafford". TheRams.com. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ Reisman, Jeremy (October 10, 2021). "Detroit Lions' unbelievable comeback spoiled, lose 19-17 to Vikings". PrideofDetroit.com. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ Polacek, Scott (October 10, 2021). "Lions' Dan Campbell Gives Emotional Press Conference After Last-Second Vikings Loss". BleacherReport.com. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ Birkett, Dave (October 10, 2021). "Déjà vu for emotional Dan Campbell as Detroit Lions lose on another improbable kick, 19-17". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ "Winless no more: Lions top Vikes 29-27 for 1st W in Week 13". ESPN. December 5, 2021. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
External links
[edit]Further reading
[edit]- Gordon, Dick (October 2, 1968). "Ex-Lion Hall Awaits 11th Game of Rivalry". The Minneapolis Star. Retrieved February 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Lions and Vikings Renew Bruising Gridiron Rivalry". The Central New Jersey Home News. September 23, 1972. Retrieved February 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- Sylvester, Curt (September 29, 1979). "Vikings, Lions meet—old fire gone". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved February 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- Sylvester, Curt (September 20, 1981). "Playing for blood: Lions–Vikings rivalry shows signs of heating up". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved February 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Lions get chance". Lansing State Journal. December 14, 1981. Retrieved February 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- Goessling, Ben (November 24, 2016). "The hottest NFC North rivalry of 2016? Vikings-Lions? Believe it". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 16, 2021.