Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions: 2023 Week 18 Recap

Game story

In Week 18 of the 2023 NFL season on 2024-01-07, the Detroit Lions took care of business against the Minnesota Vikings, pulling away with a 30–20 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

N. Mullens (Minnesota Vikings) paced the passing game, with +3.70 total EPA, and +3.0% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, J. Goff (Detroit Lions) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +12.27 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+11.6% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Detroit Lions changed the game: (15:00) 70-D.Skipper reported in as eligible. 16-J.Goff pass deep left to 14-A.St. Brown for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

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 · +12.27 total EPA · 34 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Jefferson · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +10.78 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.77 EPA/play
3. 3 A.St. Brown · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +6.83 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.68 EPA/play
4. 4 J. Mundt · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +4.78 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.80 EPA/play
5. 5 N. Mullens · Minnesota Vikings · Passing · +3.70 total EPA · 51 snaps · +0.07 EPA/play
6. 6 K. Raymond · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +3.60 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.80 EPA/play
7. 7 D. Peoples-Jones · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +2.85 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.42 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Mitchell · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +2.44 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.44 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

• Detroit Lions — S. LaPorta (J. Goff pass) (Q1 53:10)
• Detroit Lions — J. Gibbs (Q1 47:17)
• Detroit Lions — D. Montgomery (Q3 22:19)
• Minnesota Vikings — J. Jefferson (N. Mullens pass) (Q3 15:26)
• Detroit Lions — A. St (J. Goff pass) (Q4 15:00)
• Minnesota Vikings — J. Addison (N. Mullens pass) (Q4 13:28)

Field goals

• Minnesota Vikings — G. Joseph (Q2 39:24)
• Minnesota Vikings — G. Joseph (Q2 30:02)
• Minnesota Vikings — unlisted player (Q2 30:00)
• Detroit Lions — M. Badgley (Q4 8:18)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 13–0. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIN 2 (Q1 53:10) — (8:10) 16-J.Goff pass short left to 87-S.LaPorta for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q1 53:06) — 17-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIN 3 (Q1 47:17) — (2:17) 26-J.Gibbs right end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

The second quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 9–0. Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the DET 21 (Q2 39:24) — (9:24) 1-G.Joseph 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the DET 25 (Q2 30:02) — (:02) 1-G.Joseph 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal (Q2 30:00) — END QUARTER 2.

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIN 1 (Q3 22:19) — (7:19) 5-D.Montgomery left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q3 22:14) — 17-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DET 38 (Q3 15:26) — (:26) 12-N.Mullens pass deep right to 18-J.Jefferson for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q3 15:20) — 1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright..

The fourth quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 10–7. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIN 70 (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 70-D.Skipper reported in as eligible. 16-J.Goff pass deep left to 14-A.St. Brown for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q4 14:45) — 17-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DET 42 (Q4 13:28) — (13:28) (Shotgun) 12-N.Mullens pass deep left to 3-J.Addison for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN [95-R.Okwara].; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q4 13:22) — 1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the MIN 21 (Q4 8:18) — (8:18) 17-M.Badgley 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox..

Turning points

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

• Detroit Lions (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 70-D.Skipper reported in as eligible. 16-J.Goff pass deep left to 14-A.St. Brown for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +11.6% · EPA +5.52]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q3 15:26) — (:26) 12-N.Mullens pass deep right to 18-J.Jefferson for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +10.6% · EPA +5.77]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q4 3:23) — (3:23) (Shotgun) 12-N.Mullens pass short middle intended for 3-J.Addison INTERCEPTED by 1-C.Sutton (6-I.Melifonwu) [6-I.Melifonwu] at DET 14. 1-C.Sutton to DET 37 for 23 yards (12-N.Mullens). [WPA -7.8% · EPA -4.83]
• Detroit Lions (Q1 55:07) — (10:07) 70-D.Skipper reported in as eligible. 16-J.Goff pass deep left to 14-A.St. Brown pushed ob at MIN 18 for 34 yards (22-H.Smith). [WPA +7.5% · EPA +2.12]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q4 13:28) — (13:28) (Shotgun) 12-N.Mullens pass deep left to 3-J.Addison for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN [95-R.Okwara]. [WPA +6.5% · EPA +3.85]

Impact plays

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

• Minnesota Vikings (Q3 15:26) — (:26) 12-N.Mullens pass deep right to 18-J.Jefferson for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +10.6% · EPA +5.77]
• Detroit Lions (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 70-D.Skipper reported in as eligible. 16-J.Goff pass deep left to 14-A.St. Brown for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +11.6% · EPA +5.52]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q4 3:23) — (3:23) (Shotgun) 12-N.Mullens pass short middle intended for 3-J.Addison INTERCEPTED by 1-C.Sutton (6-I.Melifonwu) [6-I.Melifonwu] at DET 14. 1-C.Sutton to DET 37 for 23 yards (12-N.Mullens). [WPA -7.8% · EPA -4.83]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q4 13:28) — (13:28) (Shotgun) 12-N.Mullens pass deep left to 3-J.Addison for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN [95-R.Okwara]. [WPA +6.5% · EPA +3.85]

Quarterback report card

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

• N.Mullens (Minnesota Vikings) · 51 dropbacks · 58.8% completion · +3.0% CPOE · +0.07 EPA/play · +3.70 total EPA
• J.Goff (Detroit Lions) · 34 dropbacks · 67.6% completion · +3.2% CPOE · +0.36 EPA/play · +12.27 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Detroit Lions held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.10 vs -0.04), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Detroit Lions: 11 drives, +7.36 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Minnesota Vikings: 11 drives, -3.30 total EPA, 4 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.
• J. Goff (Detroit Lions) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• 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. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 53:10 · MIN 2 · Score 0-6
   (8:10) 16-J.Goff pass short left to 87-S.LaPorta for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q1 53:06 · MIN 15 · Score 0-7
   17-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.
3. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 47:17 · MIN 3 · Score 0-13
   (2:17) 26-J.Gibbs right end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q2 39:24 · DET 21 · Score 3-13
   (9:24) 1-G.Joseph 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.
5. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q2 30:02 · DET 25 · Score 6-13
   (:02) 1-G.Joseph 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.
6. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q2 30:00 · Score 6-13
   END QUARTER 2
7. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q3 22:19 · MIN 1 · Score 6-19
   (7:19) 5-D.Montgomery left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q3 22:14 · MIN 15 · Score 6-20
   17-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.
9. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q3 15:26 · DET 38 · Score 12-20
   (:26) 12-N.Mullens pass deep right to 18-J.Jefferson for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q3 15:20 · DET 15 · Score 13-20
    1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.
11. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 15:00 · MIN 70 · Score 13-26
    (15:00) 70-D.Skipper reported in as eligible. 16-J.Goff pass deep left to 14-A.St. Brown for 70 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q4 14:45 · MIN 15 · Score 13-27
    17-M.Badgley extra point is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.
13. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 13:28 · DET 42 · Score 19-27
    (13:28) (Shotgun) 12-N.Mullens pass deep left to 3-J.Addison for 42 yards, TOUCHDOWN [95-R.Okwara].
14. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q4 13:22 · DET 15 · Score 20-27
    1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-14-R.Wright.
15. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q4 8:18 · MIN 21 · Score 20-30
    (8:18) 17-M.Badgley 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-J.McQuaide, Holder-3-J.Fox.