Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings: 2024 Week 7 Recap

Game story

In Week 7 of the 2024 NFL season on 2024-10-20, the Detroit Lions took care of business against the Minnesota Vikings, pulling away with a 31–29 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 27 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

S. Darnold (Minnesota Vikings) paced the passing game, with -0.46 total EPA, and +13.5% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, J. Goff (Detroit Lions) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +14.92 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-41.6% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Detroit Lions changed the game: (6:00) 5-D.Montgomery left tackle to DET 35 for 5 yards (44-J.Metellus; 24-C.Bynum). FUMBLES (44-J.Metellus), RECOVERED by MIN-0-I.Pace at DET 36. 0-I.Pace for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DET-60-G

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 J. Goff · Detroit Lions · Passing · +14.92 total EPA · 29 snaps · +0.51 EPA/play
2. 2 A.St. Brown · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +10.17 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.27 EPA/play
3. 3 J. Gibbs · Detroit Lions · Rushing · +5.75 total EPA · 15 snaps · +0.38 EPA/play
4. 4 K. Raymond · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +4.98 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.24 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Jefferson · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +4.60 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.58 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Nailor · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +3.11 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.62 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Gibbs · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +2.50 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.62 EPA/play
8. 8 A. Jones · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +2.25 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.75 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Minnesota Vikings — A. Jones (Q1 56:50)
• Detroit Lions — J. Gibbs (Q2 43:51)
• Detroit Lions — A. St (J. Goff pass) (Q2 38:44)
• Detroit Lions — J. Gibbs (Q2 30:29)
• Minnesota Vikings — J. Jefferson (S. Darnold pass) (Q3 25:47)
• Detroit Lions — K. Raymond (J. Goff pass) (Q3 20:50)
• Minnesota Vikings — D. Montgomery (Q4 6:00)

Field goals

• Minnesota Vikings — W. Reichard (Q1 50:39)
• Minnesota Vikings — W. Reichard (Q4 14:28)
• Minnesota Vikings — W. Reichard (Q4 6:09)
• Detroit Lions — J. Bates (Q4 0:19)
• Detroit Lions — J. Bates (Q4 0:15)

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 10–0. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DET 34 (Q1 56:50) — (11:50) 33-A.Jones left tackle for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q1 56:43) — 16-W.Reichard extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-17-R.Wright.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the DET 39 (Q1 50:39) — (5:39) 16-W.Reichard 57 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-17-R.Wright..

The second quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 27–0. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIN 45 (Q2 43:51) — (13:51) 26-J.Gibbs right end for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q2 43:42) — 39-J.Bates extra point is GOOD, Center-49-H.Hatten, Holder-3-J.Fox.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIN 35 (Q2 38:44) — (8:44) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass deep middle to 14-A.St. Brown for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q2 38:39) — 39-J.Bates extra point is GOOD, Center-49-H.Hatten, Holder-3-J.Fox.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIN 8 (Q2 30:29) — (:29) (Shotgun) 26-J.Gibbs up the middle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIN 15 (Q2 30:26) — 39-J.Bates extra point is GOOD, Center-49-H.Hatten, Holder-3-J.Fox..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DET 25 (Q3 25:47) — (10:47) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass deep left to 18-J.Jefferson for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q3 25:42) — 16-W.Reichard extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-17-R.Wright.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIN 21 (Q3 20:50) — (5:50) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short left to 11-K.Raymond for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q3 20:43) — 39-J.Bates extra point is GOOD, Center-49-H.Hatten, Holder-3-J.Fox..

The fourth quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 12–6. Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the DET 24 (Q4 14:28) — (14:28) 16-W.Reichard 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-17-R.Wright.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the DET 30 (Q4 6:09) — (6:09) 16-W.Reichard 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-17-R.Wright.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the MIN 70 (Q4 6:00); Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the MIN 26 (Q4 0:19) — (:19) 39-J.Bates 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-H.Hatten, Holder-3-J.Fox.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the DET 35 (Q4 0:15) — 39-J.Bates kicks 65 yards from DET 35 to end zone, Touchback to the MIN 30..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Detroit Lions (Q4 6:00) — (6:00) 5-D.Montgomery left tackle to DET 35 for 5 yards (44-J.Metellus; 24-C.Bynum). FUMBLES (44-J.Metellus), RECOVERED by MIN-0-I.Pace at DET 36. 0-I.Pace for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DET-60-G [WPA -41.6% · EPA -7.83]
• Detroit Lions (Q4 0:19) — (:19) 39-J.Bates 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-H.Hatten, Holder-3-J.Fox. [WPA +30.4% · EPA +0.71]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q4 0:01) — (:01) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold sacked at MIN 39 for -6 yards (53-T.Nowaske). [WPA -26.1% · EPA -0.19]
• Detroit Lions (Q2 38:44) — (8:44) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass deep middle to 14-A.St. Brown for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +19.6% · EPA +4.59]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q3 25:47) — (10:47) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass deep left to 18-J.Jefferson for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.2% · EPA +3.45]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Detroit Lions (Q4 6:00) — (6:00) 5-D.Montgomery left tackle to DET 35 for 5 yards (44-J.Metellus; 24-C.Bynum). FUMBLES (44-J.Metellus), RECOVERED by MIN-0-I.Pace at DET 36. 0-I.Pace for 36 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on DET-60-G [WPA -41.6% · EPA -7.83]
• Detroit Lions (Q2 38:44) — (8:44) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass deep middle to 14-A.St. Brown for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +19.6% · EPA +4.59]
• Detroit Lions (Q2 43:51) — (13:51) 26-J.Gibbs right end for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +10.7% · EPA +4.03]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q2 35:47) — (5:47) 14-S.Darnold pass short right intended for 3-J.Addison INTERCEPTED by 32-B.Branch at DET 28. 32-B.Branch to DET 28 for no gain (3-J.Addison). [WPA -4.7% · EPA -3.83]

Quarterback report card

S.Darnold led all passers in efficiency for Minnesota Vikings, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• S.Darnold (Minnesota Vikings) · 41 dropbacks · 53.7% completion · +13.5% CPOE · -0.01 EPA/play · -0.46 total EPA
• J.Goff (Detroit Lions) · 29 dropbacks · 75.9% completion · +15.5% CPOE · +0.51 EPA/play · +14.92 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Detroit Lions +0.04, Minnesota Vikings +0.01) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Detroit Lions: 11 drives, +3.34 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Minnesota Vikings: 12 drives, +0.61 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Detroit Lions 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.
• J. Goff (Detroit Lions) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• S. Darnold (MIN) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• J. Goff (DET) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q1 56:50 · DET 34 · Score 0-6
   (11:50) 33-A.Jones left tackle for 34 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 56:43 · DET 15 · Score 0-7
   16-W.Reichard extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-17-R.Wright.
3. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q1 50:39 · DET 39 · Score 0-10
   (5:39) 16-W.Reichard 57 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-17-R.Wright.
4. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 43:51 · MIN 45 · Score 6-10
   (13:51) 26-J.Gibbs right end for 45 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 43:42 · MIN 15 · Score 7-10
   39-J.Bates extra point is GOOD, Center-49-H.Hatten, Holder-3-J.Fox.
6. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 38:44 · MIN 35 · Score 13-10
   (8:44) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass deep middle to 14-A.St. Brown for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 38:39 · MIN 15 · Score 14-10
   39-J.Bates extra point is GOOD, Center-49-H.Hatten, Holder-3-J.Fox.
8. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 30:29 · MIN 8 · Score 20-10
   (:29) (Shotgun) 26-J.Gibbs up the middle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Detroit Lions TD (+7) — Q2 30:26 · MIN 15 · Score 21-10
   39-J.Bates extra point is GOOD, Center-49-H.Hatten, Holder-3-J.Fox.
10. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q3 25:47 · DET 25 · Score 21-16
    (10:47) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass deep left to 18-J.Jefferson for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q3 25:42 · DET 15 · Score 21-17
    16-W.Reichard extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-17-R.Wright.
12. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q3 20:50 · MIN 21 · Score 27-17
    (5:50) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short left to 11-K.Raymond for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q3 20:43 · MIN 15 · Score 28-17
    39-J.Bates extra point is GOOD, Center-49-H.Hatten, Holder-3-J.Fox.
14. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q4 14:28 · DET 24 · Score 28-20
    (14:28) 16-W.Reichard 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-17-R.Wright.
15. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q4 6:09 · DET 30 · Score 28-23
    (6:09) 16-W.Reichard 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-17-R.Wright.
16. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 6:00 · MIN 70 · Score 28-29
    (6:00) 5-D.Montgomery left tackle to DET 35 for 5 yards (44-J.Metellus; 24-C.Bynum). FUMBLES (44-J.Metellus), RECOVERED by MIN-0-I.Pace at DET 36. 0-I.Pace for
17. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q4 0:19 · MIN 26 · Score 31-29
    (:19) 39-J.Bates 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-H.Hatten, Holder-3-J.Fox.
18. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q4 0:15 · DET 35 · Score 31-29
    39-J.Bates kicks 65 yards from DET 35 to end zone, Touchback to the MIN 30.