Lions vs. Vikings score: Jared Goff torches Minnesota to claim fifth win in six games, remain in playoff race

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The Vikings have been in close games all year, but the only reason they finished Week 14 within two scores of their opponent was because they played catch-up for most of the day. Entering Sunday's matchup with the Lions owning a five-game advantage in the win column, Minnesota had no answer for its rival on the defensive side of the ball. Surrendering three touchdown passes to a red-hot Jared Goff, Kevin O'Connell's squad fell 34-23, giving Detroit its fifth win in six games, not to mention added momentum in the NFC playoff race.

Vikings receiver Jalen Reagor guaranteed a win before the NFC North showdown got underway, and his fellow pass catchers, Justin Jefferson (franchise-record 223 yards) and T.J. Hockenson (six catches) did their part to aid a late comeback attempt. Kirk Cousins played a part in that as well, rifling a number of pinpoint throws down the stretch. But the Lions also disrupted Minnesota's offense up front, with Aidan Hutchinson headlining a persistent pass rush that got to Cousins four different times.

The real X-factor was the defensive performances. Whereas Detroit won with its front four, keeping Cousins on his toes and all but rendering Dalvin Cook (15 carries, 23 yards) a nonfactor, the Vikings were an absolute sieve on the back end. The Lions didn't establish much of a ground game on Sunday, but they never needed to, moving the chains and reaching the end zone with great efficiency. D.J. Chark and Jameson Williams both hauled in deep scores, while Amon-Ra St. Brown and Josh Reynolds also stayed busy on key downs as reliable targets for Goff, allowing Detroit to pile up 464 total yards.

Dan Campbell's Lions, who went 7 of 15 on third downs, also got key special teams plays to seal the win, including a 41-yard run on a fake punt and a last-minute field goal from Michael Badgley. Now 6-7, Detroit prevented the Vikings from clinching the NFC North with the win, while keeping itself in the wild card race behind teams like the Commanders, Giants and Seahawks.

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Greg Joseph hits a 41-yard field goal to cut the Vikings' deficit by three, but Lions still lead this one 28-16. Kirk Cousins, once again, was under heavy pressure on key downs to end that series. Aidan Hutchinson among those leading the charge.

 
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This, and yet the Lions have had their way with the ball in their hands today:

 
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Look at the effort on the Lions' latest TD:

 
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Incredible effort from Justin Jackson on back-to-back plays for Detroit: first the running back moves the chains, then, on first down in scoring range, he takes a casual carry and turns it into six, outracing and then diving past Cameron Dantzler on the tail end of his run. Lions now lead this 28-13 with under 14 minutes to play. Detroit is alive.

 
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Adam Thielen comes alive on fourth-and-short, breaking free on a pick route, aided by T.J. Hockenson who was split out wide, and snagging the easy TD grab to pull the Vikings within one score. Kevin O'Connell dials up a two-point try immediately afterward, and they go right back to Thielen, who this time gets buried short of the end zone. So it's 21-13, Detroit.

 
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Kirk Cousins is still finding Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson when it matters; those two always deliver. The trouble is, the rushing game is still nonexistent, and Detroit's front four is getting quite a bit of push. Cousins has had to fire several bullets off his back foot in the face of pressure.

 
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Brilliant execution on special teams helped set up the Lions' latest scoring drive:

 
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Lions fever:

 
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Jared Goff is making it look easy against this Vikings defense. Wow. Detroit now comfortably ahead by two scores after Goff hits Josh Reynolds on a slant for the TD, immediately after zipping one to Amon-Ra St. Brown on third-and-long.

 
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Lions have only possessed the ball for just over 11 minutes, compared to over 20 for the Vikings. But they have found the explosive plays. Not a whole lot of ground game for either side. Jared Goff, not Kirk Cousins, has simply hit his deep shots (or had worthwhile shots to take) so far.

 
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Michael Badgley can't connect on the 47-yard field goal try, so the Lions fail to capitalize on their takeaway. Their lead remains one touchdown with halftime around the corner. 14-7, Detroit.

 
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Wow! After a lengthy break as Dan Campbell argued with officials over a potential penalty on Minnesota, the Vikings keep the ball for first-and-goal, pitch it to Dalvin Cook, who patiently waits in the backfield before getting swallowed and then coughing up the rock. Detroit recovers with a chance to extend its lead ahead of halftime!

 
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Justin Jefferson's stride might be unmatched in the NFL. So apparent on his key-down catches. He can separate so quickly because of the way he moves. Up to six catches for 76 yards in the first half, with Minnesota looking to even the score before the break. Now inside the red zone.

 
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Kirk Cousins to Justin Jefferson on an absolute bullet to save the Vikings' drive. Detroit has been particularly feisty on "D" today and nearly forced another punt, setting up a third-and-long, but Minnesota's top weapon comes through. Vikings still trying to get Dalvin Cook going, too. Besides his TD run, he's been bottled up.

 
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D.J. Chark outraces the Vikings to put Detroit ahead:

 
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And then Jared Goff unloads a beautiful bomb to D.J. Chark for the next Lions TD! Wow. What a throw. Detroit on top, 14-7.

 
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Justin Jefferson makes a nice sideline grab on third-and-short, and initially crosses the sticks, then rolls out of bounds in front of the first down. Kevin O'Connell throws the challenge flag after refs call it fourth down. The call sticks, and it's Lions ball. Still a 7-7 ballgame, but if you're Detroit, you have to be happy about your defense's performance thus far.

 
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Jared Goff might be one of the most underrated QBs in the NFL right now, in terms of 2022 production. He's inflated some of his numbers playing catch-up, but he's also looked really comfortable for long stretches of the year. Detroit has an interesting decision to make under center after this season, if he continues on the trajectory.

 
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Jameson Williams, welcome to the NFL. The Alabama product is absolutely wide open, uncovered, in the Vikings' secondary as the Lions strike first. Jared Goff couldn't have found an easier target.

 
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