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NFL · Week 16 · December 24, 2023 · 12 min read

Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings: 2023 Week 16 Recap

Lions defeat Vikings 30–24 in Week 16

Jared Goff led Fantasy Impact as Lions prevailed in a 30–24 Week 16 finish.

Detroit Lions 30 11–4 Winner
Final 30–24
Minnesota Vikings 24 7–8
Winner
Detroit Lions
Final score
30–24
Halftime
Detroit Lions 23–14 Minnesota Vikings
Top passer
Jared Goff
FantasyHQ MVP
Jared Goff
Game date
December 24, 2023

Top fantasy performers · Lions

  • Jared Goff
    Jared Goff 30/43 · 246 YDS · 2 TD +14.9 Fantasy Impact
  • A.St.Brown +6.3 Fantasy Impact
  • Joshua Williams
    Joshua Williams 5 REC · 43 YDS +3.6 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Vikings

  • Jordan Jefferson
    Jordan Jefferson 6 REC · 141 YDS · 1 TD +7.8 Fantasy Impact
  • Nick Mullens
    Nick Mullens 22/43 · 374 YDS · 2 TD +6.9 Fantasy Impact
  • K.J. Osborn
    K.J. Osborn 5 REC · 95 YDS · 1 TD +6.9 Fantasy Impact
View Lions vs Vikings box score View all 2023 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Detroit Lions
Final score
Detroit Lions 30–24 Minnesota Vikings
Halftime
Detroit Lions 23–14 Minnesota Vikings at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
Jared Goff
Top passer
Jared Goff
Biggest EPA play
(2:12) 26-J.Gibbs left end to DET 49 for 13 yards (24-C.Bynum). FUMBLES (24-C.Bynum), touc…
Game date
2023-12-24

Game summary

The Detroit Lions beat the Minnesota Vikings 30–24 on 2023-12-24. Jared Goff posted a game-high +14.89 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 23 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
Detroit Lions71667030
Minnesota Vikings7773024

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

DETDetroit Lions
MINMinnesota Vikings

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

15 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. DETDetroit Lions
    Q1 7:17TD
    D.J. Montgomery

    Points+6

    Yard line
    MIN 1
    Score
    6-0

    (7:17) 70-D.Skipper reported in as eligible. 5-D.Montgomery right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

  2. DETDetroit Lions
    Q1 7:13XP
    Michael Badgley

    Points+1

    Yard line
    MIN 15
    Score
    7-0

    17-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.

  3. MINMinnesota Vikings
    Q1 2:53TD
    Ty Chandler

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DET 2
    Score
    7-6

    (2:53) (Shotgun) 32-T.Chandler right guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  4. MINMinnesota Vikings
    Q1 2:51XP
    Greg Joseph

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DET 15
    Score
    7-7

    1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.

  5. DETDetroit Lions
    Q2 5:08FG
    Michael Badgley

    Points+3

    Yard line
    MIN 18
    Score
    10-7

    (5:08) 17-M.Badgley 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.

  6. DETDetroit Lions
    Q2 1:54TD
    Jahmyr Gibbs

    Points+6

    Yard line
    MIN 14
    Score
    16-7

    (1:54) 26-J.Gibbs right end for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  7. DETDetroit Lions
    Q2 1:48TD
    Michael Badgley

    Points+7

    Yard line
    MIN 15
    Score
    17-7

    17-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.

  8. MINMinnesota Vikings
    Q2 0:37TD
    Jordan Jefferson

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DET 26
    Score
    17-13

    (:37) (Shotgun) 12-N.Mullens pass deep right to 18-J.Jefferson for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  9. MINMinnesota Vikings
    Q2 0:29XP
    Greg Joseph

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DET 15
    Score
    17-14

    1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.

  10. MINMinnesota Vikings
    Q3 12:01TD
    K.J. Osborn

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DET 6
    Score
    17-20

    (12:01) (Shotgun) 12-N.Mullens pass short right to 17-K.Osborn for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  11. MINMinnesota Vikings
    Q3 11:56XP
    Greg Joseph

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DET 15
    Score
    17-21

    1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.

  12. DETDetroit Lions
    Q3 4:41TD
    ASA. St

    Points+6

    Yard line
    MIN 1
    Score
    23-21

    (4:41) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short middle to 14-A.St. Brown for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

  13. DETDetroit Lions
    Q4 11:09TD
    Jahmyr Gibbs

    Points+6

    Yard line
    MIN 3
    Score
    29-21

    (11:09) 26-J.Gibbs right guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  14. DETDetroit Lions
    Q4 11:07XP
    Michael Badgley

    Points+1

    Yard line
    MIN 15
    Score
    30-21

    17-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.

  15. MINMinnesota Vikings
    Q4 5:22FG
    Greg Joseph

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DET 8
    Score
    30-24

    (5:22) 1-G.Joseph 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1Jared GoffJared Goff · Detroit Lions · Passing · +14.89 total EPA · 43 snaps · +0.35 EPA/play
  2. 2Jordan JeffersonJordan Jefferson · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +7.76 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.78 EPA/play
  3. 3Nick MullensNick Mullens · Minnesota Vikings · Passing · +6.86 total EPA · 43 snaps · +0.16 EPA/play
  4. 4K.J. OsbornK.J. Osborn · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +6.86 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.98 EPA/play
  5. 5A. St.Brown · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +6.27 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.45 EPA/play
  6. 6Joshua WilliamsJoshua Williams · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +3.63 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.60 EPA/play
  7. 7T.J. HockensonT.J. Hockenson · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +3.17 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.79 EPA/play
  8. 8Sam LaPortaSam LaPorta · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +3.14 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.05 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

Jared Goff

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Jared Goff — DET · Passing

Jared Goff posted the highest total EPA (+14.89) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Detroit Lions. Across 43 counted snaps, they averaged +0.35 EPA per play.

Jared Goff's top snap (+2.78 EPA): (1:55) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass deep left to 14-A.St. Brown to DET 48 for 25 yards (24-C.Bynum).

Biggest single play (-4.99 EPA): Jahmyr Gibbs — (2:12) 26-J.Gibbs left end to DET 49 for 13 yards (24-C.Bynum). FUMBLES (24-C.Bynum), touched at MIN 49, RECOVERED by MIN-40-I.Pace at MIN 46. 40-I.Pace to DET 48 for 6 yards (14-A.St. Brown; 87-S.LaP

Quarterback report card

Jared Goff led all passers in efficiency for Detroit Lions, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

  • Jared GoffJared Goff (Detroit Lions) · 43 dropbacks · 69.8% completion · +1.6% CPOE · +0.35 EPA/play · +14.89 total EPA
  • Nick MullensNick Mullens (Minnesota Vikings) · 43 dropbacks · 51.2% completion · +6.2% CPOE · +0.16 EPA/play · +6.86 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatDetroit LionsMinnesota Vikings
Offensive EPA/play+0.112+0.015
Offensive success rate44.0%39.1%
Pass EPA/play+0.346+0.160
Rush EPA/play-0.021-0.344
Defensive EPA/play-0.015-0.112
Defensive success rate60.9%56.0%

Drive & efficiency notes

Despite the final score, Detroit Lions generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.11 vs +0.01), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Detroit Lions: +0.11 EPA/play (82nd percentile vs. 2023 team-game averages)
  • Minnesota Vikings: +0.01 EPA/play (59th percentile vs. 2023 team-game averages)
  • Detroit Lions: 11 drives, +11.23 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
  • Minnesota Vikings: 10 drives, +1.06 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

  • D.J. MontgomeryDetroit Lions — D.J. Montgomery (Q1 7:17)
  • Ty ChandlerMinnesota Vikings — Ty Chandler (Q1 2:53)
  • Jahmyr GibbsDetroit Lions — Jahmyr Gibbs (Q2 1:54)
  • Jordan JeffersonMinnesota Vikings — Jordan Jefferson (Nick Mullens pass) (Q2 0:37)
  • K.J. OsbornMinnesota Vikings — K.J. Osborn (Nick Mullens pass) (Q3 12:01)
  • Detroit Lions — A. St (Jared Goff pass) (Q3 4:41)
  • Jahmyr GibbsDetroit Lions — Jahmyr Gibbs (Q4 11:09)

Field goals

  • Michael BadgleyDetroit Lions — Michael Badgley (Q2 5:08)
  • Greg JosephMinnesota Vikings — Greg Joseph (Q4 5:22)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIN 1 (Q1 7:17) — (7:17) 70-D.Skipper reported in as eligible. 5-D.Montgomery right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q1 7:13) — 17-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DET 2 (Q1 2:53) — (2:53) (Shotgun) 32-T.Chandler right guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q1 2:51) — 1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright..

The second quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 16–7. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the MIN 18 (Q2 5:08) — (5:08) 17-M.Badgley 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIN 14 (Q2 1:54) — (1:54) 26-J.Gibbs right end for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIN 15 (Q2 1:48) — 17-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DET 26 (Q2 0:37) — (:37) (Shotgun) 12-N.Mullens pass deep right to 18-J.Jefferson for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q2 0:29) — 1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright..

The third quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 7–6. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DET 6 (Q3 12:01) — (12:01) (Shotgun) 12-N.Mullens pass short right to 17-K.Osborn for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q3 11:56) — 1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIN 1 (Q3 4:41) — (4:41) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short middle to 14-A.St. Brown for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN..

The fourth quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 7–3. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIN 3 (Q4 11:09) — (11:09) 26-J.Gibbs right guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q4 11:07) — 17-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the DET 8 (Q4 5:22) — (5:22) 1-G.Joseph 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Minnesota Vikings (Q4 0:58) — (:58) (Shotgun) 12-N.Mullens pass deep middle intended for 18-J.Jefferson INTERCEPTED by 6-I.Melifonwu at DET 5. 6-I.Melifonwu to DET 16 for 11 yards (30-C.Ham). [WPA -26.1% · EPA -3.48]
  • Minnesota Vikings (Q3 12:51) — (12:51) 12-N.Mullens pass deep middle to 17-K.Osborn to DET 6 for 47 yards (30-K.Dorsey). [WPA +14.2% · EPA +3.21]
  • Minnesota Vikings (Q4 1:05) — (1:05) (Shotgun) 12-N.Mullens pass deep right to 4-B.Powell ran ob at DET 30 for 26 yards (32-B.Branch). [WPA +12.8% · EPA +2.15]
  • Detroit Lions (Q3 1:55) — (1:55) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass deep left to 14-A.St. Brown to DET 48 for 25 yards (24-C.Bynum). [WPA +12.3% · EPA +2.78]
  • Detroit Lions (Q3 8:28) — (8:28) 26-J.Gibbs left guard to MIN 16 for 18 yards (98-D.Wonnum). [WPA +11.6% · EPA +3.03]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Detroit Lions (Q1 2:12) — (2:12) 26-J.Gibbs left end to DET 49 for 13 yards (24-C.Bynum). FUMBLES (24-C.Bynum), touched at MIN 49, RECOVERED by MIN-40-I.Pace at MIN 46. 40-I.Pace to DET 48 for 6 yards (14-A.St. Brown; 87-S.LaP [WPA -10.6% · EPA -4.99]
  • Minnesota Vikings (Q2 0:37) — (:37) (Shotgun) 12-N.Mullens pass deep right to 18-J.Jefferson for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +10.1% · EPA +3.64]
  • Minnesota Vikings (Q4 6:52) — (6:52) (Shotgun) 12-N.Mullens pass deep left to 18-J.Jefferson to DET 47 for 28 yards (31-K.Joseph). DET-31-K.Joseph was injured during the play. PENALTY on DET-31-K.Joseph, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 [WPA +7.8% · EPA +3.51]
  • Minnesota Vikings (Q4 0:58) — (:58) (Shotgun) 12-N.Mullens pass deep middle intended for 18-J.Jefferson INTERCEPTED by 6-I.Melifonwu at DET 5. 6-I.Melifonwu to DET 16 for 11 yards (30-C.Ham). [WPA -26.1% · EPA -3.48]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 7:17 · MIN 1 · Score 6-0
    (7:17) 70-D.Skipper reported in as eligible. 5-D.Montgomery right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  2. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q1 7:13 · MIN 15 · Score 7-0
    17-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.
  3. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q1 2:53 · DET 2 · Score 7-6
    (2:53) (Shotgun) 32-T.Chandler right guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  4. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 2:51 · DET 15 · Score 7-7
    1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.
  5. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q2 5:08 · MIN 18 · Score 10-7
    (5:08) 17-M.Badgley 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.
  6. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 1:54 · MIN 14 · Score 16-7
    (1:54) 26-J.Gibbs right end for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  7. Detroit Lions TD (+7) — Q2 1:48 · MIN 15 · Score 17-7
    17-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.
  8. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 0:37 · DET 26 · Score 17-13
    (:37) (Shotgun) 12-N.Mullens pass deep right to 18-J.Jefferson for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  9. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q2 0:29 · DET 15 · Score 17-14
    1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.
  10. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q3 12:01 · DET 6 · Score 17-20
    (12:01) (Shotgun) 12-N.Mullens pass short right to 17-K.Osborn for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  11. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q3 11:56 · DET 15 · Score 17-21
    1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.
  12. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q3 4:41 · MIN 1 · Score 23-21
    (4:41) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short middle to 14-A.St. Brown for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  13. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 11:09 · MIN 3 · Score 29-21
    (11:09) 26-J.Gibbs right guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  14. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q4 11:07 · MIN 15 · Score 30-21
    17-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.
  15. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q4 5:22 · DET 8 · Score 30-24
    (5:22) 1-G.Joseph 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.

  • Detroit Lions earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
  • One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
  • Jared Goff (Detroit Lions) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
  • Nick Mullens (MIN) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).

Frequently asked questions

Who won Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings on 2023-12-24?

The Detroit Lions beat the Minnesota Vikings 30-24 in Week 16, 2023.

What was the score by quarter in Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings?

Q1: Detroit Lions 7, Minnesota Vikings 7; Q2: Detroit Lions 16, Minnesota Vikings 7; Q3: Detroit Lions 6, Minnesota Vikings 7; Q4: Detroit Lions 7, Minnesota Vikings 3; Final: Detroit Lions 30, Minnesota Vikings 24.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings?

Detroit Lions touchdown — D. Montgomery (Q1 7:17) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — T. Chandler (Q1 2:53) Detroit Lions touchdown — J. Gibbs (Q2 1:54) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — J. Jefferson (N. Mullens pass) (Q2 0:37) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — K. Osborn (N. Mullens pass) (Q3 12:01) Detroit Lions touchdown — A. St (J. Goff pass) (Q3 4:41) Detroit Lions touchdown — J. Gibbs (Q4 11:09) Detroit Lions field goal — M. Badgley (Q2 5:08, 3 pts) Minnesota Vikings field goal — G. Joseph (Q4 5:22, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings?

Jared Goff (Detroit Lions), 69.8% completion, +1.6% CPOE, +0.35 EPA per dropback, +14.89 total passing EPA. Nick Mullens (Minnesota Vikings), 51.2% completion, +6.2% CPOE, +0.16 EPA per dropback, +6.86 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings?

Jared Goff (Detroit Lions) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +14.89 total EPA on Passing plays. across 43 snaps. Their top snap (+2.78 EPA): (1:55) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass deep left to 14-A.St. Brown to DET 48 for 25 yards (24-C.Bynum)..

Was Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings a close game?

Yes — the margin was 6 points. Detroit Lions won 30-24 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.

Season records after this game

Detroit Lions

Entered 10-4 Now 11-4 W

Minnesota Vikings

Entered 7-7 Now 7-8 L

FantasyHQ · fantasyhq.co

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