Game story
In Week 17 of the 2013 NFL season on 2013-12-29, the Minnesota Vikings took care of business against the Detroit Lions, pulling away with a 14–13 final that came down to the wire.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 13 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
M. Cassel (Minnesota Vikings) paced the passing game, with -8.49 total EPA, and -6.4% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, C. Patterson (Minnesota Vikings) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +4.41 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-17.2% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Minnesota Vikings changed the game: (13:44) 44-M.Asiata up the middle to MIN 24 for 4 yards (99-C.Mosley). FUMBLES (99-C.Mosley), RECOVERED by DET-58-A.Palmer at MIN 29. 58-A.Palmer to MIN 29 for no gain (74-C.Johnson).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q3 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Lions | 0 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 C. Patterson · Minnesota Vikings · Rushing · +4.41 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.20 EPA/play
- 2 N. Burleson · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +3.54 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.51 EPA/play
- 3 G. Jennings · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +2.82 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.47 EPA/play
- 4 R. Bush · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +1.41 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.24 EPA/play
- 5 R. Ellison · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +1.26 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.26 EPA/play
- 6 J. Wright · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +1.25 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
- 7 K. Ogletree · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +0.83 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.08 EPA/play
- 8 J. Bell · Detroit Lions · Rushing · +0.19 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.02 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
C. Patterson — MIN · Rushing
C. Patterson posted the highest total EPA (+4.41) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Minnesota Vikings's efficiency. Across 2 counted snaps, they averaged +2.20 EPA per play.
The signature play (-6.52 EPA) came from Minnesota Vikings: (11:16) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass short left intended for 81-J.Simpson INTERCEPTED by 26-L.Delmas at DET -6. 26-L.Delmas to DET 36 for 42 yards (44-M.Asiata).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Minnesota Vikings — C. Patterson
- Detroit Lions — R. Bush (M. Stafford pass)
- Minnesota Vikings — C. Patterson (M. Cassel pass)
Field goals
- Detroit Lions — D. Akers
- Detroit Lions — D. Akers
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 7–0. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DET 50 (Q1 47:56) — (2:56) 84-C.Patterson right end for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DET-32-D.Carey, Defensive Holding, declined.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q1 47:41) — 3-B.Walsh extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-18-J.Locke..
The third quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 7–0. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIN 19 (Q3 25:36) — (10:36) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 21-R.Bush for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q3 25:27) — 2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin..
The fourth quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 7–6. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the MIN 7 (Q4 14:28) — (14:28) 2-D.Akers 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the MIN 35 (Q4 12:48) — (12:48) 2-D.Akers 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DET 8 (Q4 9:22) — (9:22) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass short left to 84-C.Patterson for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q4 9:19) — 3-B.Walsh extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-18-J.Locke..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q4 13:44) — (13:44) 44-M.Asiata up the middle to MIN 24 for 4 yards (99-C.Mosley). FUMBLES (99-C.Mosley), RECOVERED by DET-58-A.Palmer at MIN 29. 58-A.Palmer to MIN 29 for no gain (74-C.Johnson).
- Minnesota Vikings (Q4 9:22) — (9:22) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass short left to 84-C.Patterson for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q2 41:16) — (11:16) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass short left intended for 81-J.Simpson INTERCEPTED by 26-L.Delmas at DET -6. 26-L.Delmas to DET 36 for 42 yards (44-M.Asiata).
- Detroit Lions (Q4 9:42) — (9:42) 6-S.Martin punts 47 yards to MIN 42, Center-48-D.Muhlbach. 35-M.Sherels pushed ob at DET 8 for 50 yards (29-J.Wendling).
- Detroit Lions (Q4 5:01) — (5:01) 6-S.Martin punts 28 yards to MIN 13, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, fair catch by 35-M.Sherels.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q2 41:16) — (11:16) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass short left intended for 81-J.Simpson INTERCEPTED by 26-L.Delmas at DET -6. 26-L.Delmas to DET 36 for 42 yards (44-M.Asiata).
- Minnesota Vikings (Q4 13:44) — (13:44) 44-M.Asiata up the middle to MIN 24 for 4 yards (99-C.Mosley). FUMBLES (99-C.Mosley), RECOVERED by DET-58-A.Palmer at MIN 29. 58-A.Palmer to MIN 29 for no gain (74-C.Johnson).
- Minnesota Vikings (Q1 47:56) — (2:56) 84-C.Patterson right end for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DET-32-D.Carey, Defensive Holding, declined.
- Detroit Lions (Q3 25:36) — (10:36) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 21-R.Bush for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Quarterback report card
M.Cassel led all passers in efficiency for Minnesota Vikings, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- M.Cassel (Minnesota Vikings) · 38 dropbacks · 52.6% completion · -6.4% CPOE · -0.22 EPA/play · -8.49 total EPA
- M.Stafford (Detroit Lions) · 38 dropbacks · 57.9% completion · -3.3% CPOE · -0.13 EPA/play · -4.93 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Detroit Lions | Minnesota Vikings |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.082 | -0.117 |
| Offensive success rate | 40.0% | 45.3% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.130 | -0.223 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.142 | +0.145 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.117 | +0.082 |
| Defensive success rate | 54.7% | 60.0% |
By the numbers
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Detroit Lions -0.08, Minnesota Vikings -0.12) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
- Detroit Lions: 11 drives, -6.18 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Minnesota Vikings: 11 drives, -8.79 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Minnesota Vikings leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
- C. Patterson (Minnesota Vikings) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- M. Cassel (MIN) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
- M. Stafford (DET) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q1 47:56 · DET 50 · Score 0-6
(2:56) 84-C.Patterson right end for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DET-32-D.Carey, Defensive Holding, declined. - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 47:41 · DET 2 · Score 0-7
3-B.Walsh extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-18-J.Locke. - Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q3 25:36 · MIN 19 · Score 6-7
(10:36) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 21-R.Bush for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q3 25:27 · MIN 2 · Score 7-7
2-D.Akers extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin. - Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q4 14:28 · MIN 7 · Score 10-7
(14:28) 2-D.Akers 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin. - Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q4 12:48 · MIN 35 · Score 13-7
(12:48) 2-D.Akers 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin. - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 9:22 · DET 8 · Score 13-13
(9:22) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass short left to 84-C.Patterson for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q4 9:19 · DET 2 · Score 13-14
3-B.Walsh extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-18-J.Locke.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings?
The Minnesota Vikings beat the Detroit Lions 14-13 in Week 17, 2013 on 2013-12-29.
What was the final score of Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings?
The final score was Detroit Lions 13, Minnesota Vikings 14 (DET 13-14 MIN) in Week 17, 2013 on 2013-12-29.
What was the score by quarter in Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings?
Q1: Detroit Lions 0, Minnesota Vikings 7; Q3: Detroit Lions 7, Minnesota Vikings 0; Q4: Detroit Lions 6, Minnesota Vikings 7; Final: Detroit Lions 13, Minnesota Vikings 14.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings?
Minnesota Vikings touchdown — C. Patterson (Q1 47:56) Detroit Lions touchdown — R. Bush (M. Stafford pass) (Q3 25:36) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — C. Patterson (M. Cassel pass) (Q4 9:22) Detroit Lions field goal — D. Akers (Q4 14:28, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — D. Akers (Q4 12:48, 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?
M. Cassel (Minnesota Vikings), 52.6% completion, -6.4% CPOE, -0.22 EPA per dropback, -8.49 total passing EPA. M. Stafford (Detroit Lions), 57.9% completion, -3.3% CPOE, -0.13 EPA per dropback, -4.93 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings?
C. Patterson (Minnesota Vikings) led the game in total EPA with +4.41 on rushing plays. across 2 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-6.52 EPA): (11:16) (Shotgun) 16-M.Cassel pass short left intended for 81-J.Simpson INTERCEPTED by 26-L.Delmas at DET -6. 26-L.Delmas to DET 36 for 42 yards (44-M.Asiata).. The biggest win-probability swing was -17.2%.
Was Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings a close game?
Yes — the margin was 1 points. Minnesota Vikings won 14-13 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
Detroit Lions
Entered 7-8 Now 7-9 L
Minnesota Vikings
Entered 4-10 Now 5-10 W
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