Lions end Vikings' perfect season with 19-15 win
Jared Goff's late touchdown pass to Jameson Williams gave Detroit the edge in a defensive battle where Minnesota's stingy unit failed to hold a lead.
By Lina Lewis ·
Jared Goff threw a seven-yard touchdown pass to Jameson Williams with 4:35 remaining on Sunday, securing a 19-15 victory for the Detroit Lions over the Minnesota Vikings. The result marked the first loss for the Vikings, who had been the NFL's only undefeated team.
The Lions finished the game with a 5-2 record, extending their winning streak to three games. They also claimed their first two division titles in the NFC North. Minnesota drops to 6-1 after losing for the first time since falling at Seattle on November 30, 2025.
Detroit's Jahmyr Gibbs powered the ground game with 153 rushing yards. He scored a touchdown on a 30-yard run that broke multiple tackles in the third quarter. Goff completed 18 of 25 passes for 176 yards, throwing his first interception of the season along with the winning touchdown.
Kyler Murray led the Vikings' offense with 17 of 29 completions for 210 yards. He threw two touchdown passes and one interception while his team managed just 81 rushing yards. The offensive line struggled to create space, forcing Murray into difficult passing situations.
The game started with a scoreless tie that lasted until late in the first quarter. Jake Bates kicked a 25-yard field goal to give Detroit the lead. The score remained tight through the second quarter, where the Vikings took a 7-3 advantage on a one-yard pass to Justin Jefferson. Bates responded with a 37-yard kick late in the half to cut the deficit to 7-6.
In the fourth quarter, Murray connected with T.J. Hockenson on an eight-yard touchdown pass. He added a two-point conversion pass to Jordan Addison, putting Minnesota ahead 15-12. The Vikings' defense, known for its strength, could not preserve the lead against Detroit's final drive.
Injury concerns affected both squads during the contest. Vikings safety Theo Jackson suffered a quad injury. On the Detroit side, linebacker Jack Campbell was carted off with a neck injury and taken to a hospital. Safety Brian Branch and edge rusher DJ Wonnum were evaluated for concussions after a collision in the second quarter and did not return to the field.
