Lions–Vikings rivalry

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	October 20, 2024 Lions 31, Vikings 29
Next meeting	January 4/5, 2025
Stadiums	Lions: Ford Field Vikings: U.S. Bank Stadium
Statistics
Meetings total	126
All-time series	Vikings: 80–44–2
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: 4 (2022–present)

200km
125miles

Vikings

Lions

  

Locations of the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings

The Lions–Vikings rivalry is a National Football League (NFL) rivalry between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings.

The Vikings entered the NFL as an expansion team during the 1961 season and were assigned to the Western Division, becoming divisional rivals with the Lions. Following the AFL-NFL merger in 1970, both teams transitioned to the NFC Central, which was later renamed the NFC North after the NFL's realignment in 2002.

The Vikings have outperformed the Lions since the inception of their rivalry and the most one-sided decades occurred during the 1970s and 2000s, where the Vikings went 35–5 against the Lions. Based on winning percentage, it is one of the most lopsided divisional rivalries in the NFL.

The Vikings lead the overall series, 80–44–2. The two teams have not met in the playoffs.

2000s: Vikings Dominate the Rivalry

In the 2000s, the Vikings had a commanding 18–2 record against the Lions.

2020s: Lions and Vikings compete for playoffs

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.

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. 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."

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.

Running back Adrian Peterson was selected by the Vikings in 2007 (left), where he set numerous rushing records and earned the MVP award during the 2012 season. He subsequently had a short tenure with the Lions in the 2020 season (right).

Season-by-season results

Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings Season-by-Season Results
1960s (Lions, 9–7–2) Season Season series at Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings Overall series Notes 1961 Lions 2–0 Lions 13–7 Lions 37–10 Lions 2–0 Vikings join the NFL as an expansion team. They were placed in the Western Division, resulting in two meetings annually with the Lions. 1962 Lions 2–0 Lions 37–23 Lions 17–6 Lions 4–0 1963 Tie 1–1 Lions 28–10 Vikings 34–31 Lions 5–1 1964 Lions 1–0–1 Tie 23–23 Lions 24–20 Lions 6–1–1 1965 Tie 1–1 Vikings 29–7 Lions 31–29 Lions 7–2–1 1966 Tie 1–1 Vikings 28–16 Lions 32–31 Lions 8–3–1 1967 Lions 1–0–1 Lions 14–3 Tie 10–10 Lions 9–3–2 As a result of expansion, the two eight-team divisions became two eight-team conferences split into two divisions, with the Lions and Vikings placed in the NFL Central division. 1968 Vikings 2–0 Vikings 13–6 Vikings 24–10 Lions 9–5–2 1969 Vikings 2–0 Vikings 27–0 Vikings 24–10 Lions 9–7–2 Detroit meeting took place on Thanksgiving. Last time the Lions held the overall series record. Vikings win 1969 NFL Championship, but lose Super Bowl IV.
1970s (Vikings, 17–3) Season Season series at Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings Overall series Notes 1970 Vikings 2–0 Vikings 30–17 Vikings 24–20 Tie 9–9–2 As a result of the AFL–NFL merger, the Lions and Vikings were placed in the newly formed National Football Conference (NFC) and the NFC Central (later renamed to the NFC North in the 2002 season). 1971 Vikings 2–0 Vikings 16–13 Vikings 29–10 Vikings 11–9–2 Vikings take the overall series lead. 1972 Vikings 2–0 Vikings 34–10 Vikings 16–13 Vikings 13–9–2 1973 Vikings 2–0 Vikings 23–9 Vikings 28–7 Vikings 15–9–2 Vikings lose Super Bowl VIII. 1974 Tie 1–1 Vikings 7–6 Lions 20–16 Vikings 16–10–2 Vikings win 13 straight meetings (1968–1974). Lions' win came when DB Lem Barney intercepted Vikings' QB Fran Tarkenton's pass in the end zone of the game's final play. Last matchup at Tiger Stadium. Vikings lose Super Bowl IX. 1975 Tie 1–1 Lions 17–10 Vikings 25–19 Vikings 17–11–2 Lions open Pontiac Silverdome. 1976 Vikings 2–0 Vikings 10–9 Vikings 31–23 Vikings 19–11–2 Vikings lose Super Bowl XI. 1977 Vikings 2–0 Vikings 30–21 Vikings 14–7 Vikings 21–11–2 1978 Tie 1–1 Lions 45–14 Vikings 17–7 Vikings 22–12–2 In Detroit, Lions score their most points in a game against the Vikings. 1979 Vikings 2–0 Vikings 13–10 Vikings 14–7 Vikings 24–12–2
1980s (Vikings, 13–6) Season Season series at Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings Overall series Notes 1980 Tie 1–1 Lions 27–7 Vikings 34–0 Vikings 25–13–2 In Minneosta, Vikings record their largest victory over the Lions with a 34–point differential. Both teams finished with 9–7 records, but the Vikings clinched the NFC Central based on a better conference record, eliminating the Lions from playoff contention. 1981 Tie 1–1 Lions 45–7 Vikings 26–24 Vikings 26–14–2 In Detroit, Lions record their largest victory over the Vikings with a 38–point differential and tied their most points scored in a game against the Vikings. Last matchup at Metropolitan Stadium. 1982 Vikings 1–0 Vikings 34–31 no game Vikings 27–14–2 Due to the 1982 NFL player strike, the game scheduled in Minneapolis was cancelled. Vikings open Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. 1983 Tie 1–1 Lions 13–2 Vikings 20–17 Vikings 28–15–2 Vikings win eight straight home meetings (1975–1983). 1984 Tie 1–1 Vikings 29–28 Lions 16–14 Vikings 29–16–2 1985 Tie 1–1 Lions 41–21 Vikings 16–13 Vikings 30–17–2 1986 Tie 1–1 Vikings 24–10 Lions 13–10 Vikings 31–18–2 1987 Vikings 2–0 Vikings 17–14 Vikings 34–19 Vikings 33–18–2 1988 Vikings 2–0 Vikings 23–0 Vikings 44–17 Vikings 35–18–2 In Minnesota, Vikings score their most points in a game against the Lions. Game in Detroit was played on Thanksgiving. 1989 Vikings 2–0 Vikings 20–7 Vikings 24–17 Vikings 37–18–2
1990s (Tied, 10–10) Season Season series at Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings Overall series Notes 1990 Tie 1–1 Vikings 17–7 Lions 34–27 Vikings 38–19–2 1991 Lions 2–0 Lions 10–6 Lions 34–14 Vikings 38–21–2 In Minnesota, Lions' RB Barry Sanders rushed for 220 yards and four touchdowns as he led the Lions to their first season sweep of the Vikings since the 1962 season. 1992 Tie 1–1 Lions 31–17 Vikings 31–14 Vikings 39–22–2 1993 Tie 1–1 Vikings 13–0 Lions 30–27 Vikings 40–23–2 1994 Tie 1–1 Lions 41–19 Vikings 10–3 Vikings 41–24–2 1995 Tie 1–1 Lions 44–38 Vikings 20–10 Vikings 42–25–2 Game in Detroit was played on Thanksgiving. The game's final score is the highest-scoring game between the two teams (82 points). 1996 Vikings 2–0 Vikings 24–22 Vikings 17–13 Vikings 44–25–2 1997 Lions 2–0 Lions 38–15 Lions 14–13 Vikings 44–27–2 Both teams finished with 9–7 records, but the Lions clinched the better playoff seed based on their head-to-head sweep. 1998 Vikings 2–0 Vikings 34–13 Vikings 29–6 Vikings 46–27–2 1999 Tie 1–1 Lions 25–23 Vikings 24–17 Vikings 47–28–2 Vikings' win clinched them a better playoff seed than the Lions, along with home-field advantage in the Wild Card round. Had the Lions won, the Vikings would have traveled to Detroit for their first playoff matchup against each other.
2000s (Vikings, 18–2) Season Season series at Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings Overall series Notes 2000 Vikings 2–0 Vikings 31–24 Vikings 24–17 Vikings 49–28–2 In Detroit, Vikings' WR Randy Moss finished with 168 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. 2001 Tie 1–1 Lions 27–24 Vikings 31–26 Vikings 50–29–2 Lions snapped a 13-game losing streak and recorded their first win of the season with their win. Last matchup at Pontiac Silverdome. 2002 Vikings 2–0 Vikings 38–36 Vikings 27–23 Vikings 52–29–2 Lions open Ford Field. 2003 Vikings 2–0 Vikings 23–13 Vikings 24–14 Vikings 54–29–2 2004 Vikings 2–0 Vikings 28–27 Vikings 22–19 Vikings 56–29–2 2005 Vikings 2–0 Vikings 21–16 Vikings 27–14 Vikings 58–29–2 2006 Vikings 2–0 Vikings 30–20 Vikings 26–17 Vikings 60–29–2 Vikings win ten straight meetings (2002–2006). 2007 Tie 1–1 Lions 20–17 Vikings 42–10 Vikings 61–30–2 2008 Vikings 2–0 Vikings 20–16 Vikings 12–10 Vikings 63–30–2 In Minneapolis, Lions' QB Dan Orlovsky infamously runs out of the back of his own end zone for a safety. Lions complete first 0–16 season in NFL history. 2009 Vikings 2–0 Vikings 27–13 Vikings 27–10 Vikings 65–30–2
2010s (Vikings, 11–9) Season Season series at Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings Overall series Notes 2010 Tie 1–1 Lions 20–13 Vikings 24–10 Vikings 66–31–2 Vikings win thirteen straight home meetings (1998–2010). 2011 Lions 2–0 Lions 34–28 Lions 26–23(OT) Vikings 66–33–2 Lions win in Minneapolis and sweep the season series for the first time since the 1997 season. 2012 Vikings 2–0 Vikings 20–13 Vikings 34–24 Vikings 68–33–2 2013 Tie 1–1 Lions 34–24 Vikings 14–13 Vikings 69–34–2 Game in Minneapolis was the final game played at Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. 2014 Lions 2–0 Lions 16–14 Lions 17–3 Vikings 69–36–2 Vikings temporarily play at TCF Bank Stadium (now known as Huntington Bank Stadium) for two seasons. 2015 Vikings 2–0 Vikings 28–19 Vikings 26–16 Vikings 71–36–2 2016 Lions 2–0 Lions 16–13 Lions 22–16(OT) Vikings 71–38–2 Vikings open U.S. Bank Stadium. Game in Detroit took place on Thanksgiving. 2017 Tie 1–1 Vikings 30–23 Lions 14–7 Vikings 72–39–2 Game in Detroit took place on Thanksgiving. Road team splits the season series for the first time since the 1993 season. 2018 Vikings 2–0 Vikings 27–9 Vikings 24–9 Vikings 74–39–2 2019 Vikings 2–0 Vikings 42–30 Vikings 20–7 Vikings 76–39–2
2020s (Lions, 5–4) Season Season series at Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings Overall series Notes 2020 Vikings 2–0 Vikings 37–35 Vikings 34–20 Vikings 78–39–2 2021 Tie 1–1 Lions 29–27 Vikings 19–17 Vikings 79–40–2 Vikings win on a game-winning field goal to extend their winning streak to eight (2017–2021). In Detroit, Lions' QB Jared Goff throws a touchdown pass to WR Amon-Ra St. Brown on the game's final play to record their first win of the season and their first win in over a year, breaking a 15-game winless streak. 2022 Tie 1–1 Lions 34–23 Vikings 28–24 Vikings 80–41–2 2023 Lions 2–0 Lions 30–20 Lions 30–24 Vikings 80–43–2 In Minneapolis, Lions clinch their first NFC North title and first division title since the 1993 season with their win. 2024 Lions 1–0 January 5 Lions 31–29 Vikings 80–44–2
Summary of results Season Season series at Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings Notes Regular season Vikings 80–44–2 Vikings 36–26–1 Vikings 44–18–1

See also

• List of NFL rivalries
• NFC North
• Little Brown Jug (college football trophy)

External links

• NFL.com All-Time Team vs. Team Results
• mcubed.net's Lions-Vikings Series History 1966-present

Further reading

• 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.