Game story
In Week 18 of the 2024 NFL season on 2025-01-05, the Detroit Lions took care of business against the Minnesota Vikings, pulling away with a 31–9 final that controlled the game from start to finish.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
S. Darnold (Minnesota Vikings) paced the passing game, with -19.97 total EPA, and -17.7% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, J. Gibbs (Detroit Lions) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +5.38 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+17.5% win probability) landed in the third quarter when Minnesota Vikings changed the game: (14:22) 27-C.Akers left tackle to DET 5 for 58 yards (31-K.Joseph).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Vikings | 0 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Detroit Lions | 7 | 6 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 31 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 J. Gibbs · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +5.38 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.08 EPA/play
- 2 A.St. Brown · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +4.71 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.67 EPA/play
- 3 S. LaPorta · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +4.09 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.58 EPA/play
- 4 C. Akers · Minnesota Vikings · Rushing · +2.80 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.47 EPA/play
- 5 J. Nailor · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +2.03 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.51 EPA/play
- 6 J. Gibbs · Detroit Lions · Rushing · +1.83 total EPA · 23 snaps · +0.08 EPA/play
- 7 J. Goff · Detroit Lions · Passing · +0.77 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.02 EPA/play
- 8 A. Jones · Minnesota Vikings · Rushing · +0.56 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.06 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
J. Gibbs — DET · Receiving
J. Gibbs posted the highest total EPA (+5.38) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Detroit Lions's efficiency. Across 5 counted snaps, they averaged +1.08 EPA per play.
The signature play (-6.79 EPA) came from Detroit Lions: (7:03) 16-J.Goff pass short middle intended for 13-C.Reynolds INTERCEPTED by 0-I.Pace (44-J.Metellus) at DET 13. 0-I.Pace to DET 7 for 6 yards (13-C.Reynolds; 16-J.Goff).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Detroit Lions — J. Gibbs
- Detroit Lions — J. Gibbs (J. Goff pass)
- Detroit Lions — J. Gibbs
- Detroit Lions — J. Gibbs
Field goals
- Minnesota Vikings — W. Reichard
- Minnesota Vikings — W. Reichard
- Detroit Lions — J. Bates
- Detroit Lions — unlisted player
- Minnesota Vikings — W. Reichard
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 7–0. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIN 25 (Q1 46:49) — (1:49) 26-J.Gibbs up the middle for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q1 46:43) — 39-J.Bates extra point is GOOD, Center-49-H.Hatten, Holder-3-J.Fox..
The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 6–6. Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the DET 7 (Q2 36:38) — (6:38) 16-W.Reichard 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-17-R.Wright.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the DET 13 (Q2 30:24) — (:24) 16-W.Reichard 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-17-R.Wright.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the MIN 30 (Q2 30:02) — (:02) 39-J.Bates 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-H.Hatten, Holder-3-J.Fox.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal (Q2 30:00) — END QUARTER 2.
The third quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 7–3. Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the DET 33 (Q3 25:00) — (10:00) 16-W.Reichard 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-17-R.Wright.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIN 10 (Q3 17:33) — (2:33) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short middle to 26-J.Gibbs for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q3 17:30) — 39-J.Bates extra point is GOOD, Center-49-H.Hatten, Holder-3-J.Fox..
The fourth quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 14–0. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIN 13 (Q4 13:12) — (13:12) 26-J.Gibbs left end for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q4 13:06) — 39-J.Bates extra point is GOOD, Center-49-H.Hatten, Holder-3-J.Fox.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIN 4 (Q4 5:20) — (5:20) (Shotgun) 26-J.Gibbs left tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q4 5:14) — 39-J.Bates extra point is GOOD, Center-49-H.Hatten, Holder-3-J.Fox..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q3 29:22) — (14:22) 27-C.Akers left tackle to DET 5 for 58 yards (31-K.Joseph).
- Minnesota Vikings (Q3 27:06) — (12:06) (Shotgun) 14-S.Darnold pass incomplete short right to 3-J.Addison (0-T.Arnold).
- Detroit Lions (Q2 37:03) — (7:03) 16-J.Goff pass short middle intended for 13-C.Reynolds INTERCEPTED by 0-I.Pace (44-J.Metellus) at DET 13. 0-I.Pace to DET 7 for 6 yards (13-C.Reynolds; 16-J.Goff).
- Detroit Lions (Q1 47:25) — (2:25) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short middle to 9-Ja.Williams pushed ob at MIN 25 for 14 yards (2-S.Gilmore) [44-J.Metellus].
- Detroit Lions (Q3 17:33) — (2:33) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short middle to 26-J.Gibbs for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Detroit Lions (Q2 37:03) — (7:03) 16-J.Goff pass short middle intended for 13-C.Reynolds INTERCEPTED by 0-I.Pace (44-J.Metellus) at DET 13. 0-I.Pace to DET 7 for 6 yards (13-C.Reynolds; 16-J.Goff).
- Minnesota Vikings (Q3 29:22) — (14:22) 27-C.Akers left tackle to DET 5 for 58 yards (31-K.Joseph).
- Detroit Lions (Q1 47:25) — (2:25) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short middle to 9-Ja.Williams pushed ob at MIN 25 for 14 yards (2-S.Gilmore) [44-J.Metellus].
- Minnesota Vikings (Q3 15:28) — (:28) 16-W.Reichard 51 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-17-R.Wright.
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) · 48 dropbacks · 37.5% completion · -17.7% CPOE · -0.42 EPA/play · -19.97 total EPA
- J.Goff (Detroit Lions) · 36 dropbacks · 75.0% completion · +10.0% CPOE · +0.02 EPA/play · +0.77 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Minnesota Vikings | Detroit Lions |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.250 | +0.036 |
| Offensive success rate | 36.2% | 51.2% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.416 | +0.021 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.210 | -0.074 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.036 | +0.250 |
| Defensive success rate | 48.8% | 63.7% |
By the numbers
Detroit Lions held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.04 vs -0.25), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Detroit Lions: 11 drives, +3.02 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
- Minnesota Vikings: 11 drives, -19.98 total EPA, 3 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. Gibbs (Detroit Lions) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- S. Darnold (MIN) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
- 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.
- Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 46:49 · MIN 25 · Score 0-6
(1:49) 26-J.Gibbs up the middle for 25 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q1 46:43 · MIN 15 · Score 0-7
39-J.Bates extra point is GOOD, Center-49-H.Hatten, Holder-3-J.Fox. - Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q2 36:38 · DET 7 · Score 3-7
(6:38) 16-W.Reichard 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-17-R.Wright. - Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q2 30:24 · DET 13 · Score 6-7
(:24) 16-W.Reichard 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-17-R.Wright. - Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q2 30:02 · MIN 30 · Score 6-10
(:02) 39-J.Bates 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-H.Hatten, Holder-3-J.Fox. - Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q2 30:00 · Score 6-10
END QUARTER 2 - Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q3 25:00 · DET 33 · Score 9-10
(10:00) 16-W.Reichard 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-17-R.Wright. - Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q3 17:33 · MIN 10 · Score 9-16
(2:33) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short middle to 26-J.Gibbs for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q3 17:30 · MIN 15 · Score 9-17
39-J.Bates extra point is GOOD, Center-49-H.Hatten, Holder-3-J.Fox. - Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 13:12 · MIN 13 · Score 9-23
(13:12) 26-J.Gibbs left end for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q4 13:06 · MIN 15 · Score 9-24
39-J.Bates extra point is GOOD, Center-49-H.Hatten, Holder-3-J.Fox. - Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 5:20 · MIN 4 · Score 9-30
(5:20) (Shotgun) 26-J.Gibbs left tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q4 5:14 · MIN 15 · Score 9-31
39-J.Bates extra point is GOOD, Center-49-H.Hatten, Holder-3-J.Fox.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions?
The Detroit Lions beat the Minnesota Vikings 31-9 in Week 18, 2024 on 2025-01-05.
What was the final score of Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions?
The final score was Minnesota Vikings 9, Detroit Lions 31 (MIN 9-31 DET) in Week 18, 2024 on 2025-01-05.
What was the score by quarter in Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions?
Q1: Minnesota Vikings 0, Detroit Lions 7; Q2: Minnesota Vikings 6, Detroit Lions 6; Q3: Minnesota Vikings 3, Detroit Lions 7; Q4: Minnesota Vikings 0, Detroit Lions 14; Final: Minnesota Vikings 9, Detroit Lions 31.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions?
Detroit Lions touchdown — J. Gibbs (Q1 46:49) Detroit Lions touchdown — J. Gibbs (J. Goff pass) (Q3 17:33) Detroit Lions touchdown — J. Gibbs (Q4 13:12) Detroit Lions touchdown — J. Gibbs (Q4 5:20) Minnesota Vikings field goal — W. Reichard (Q2 36:38, 3 pts) Minnesota Vikings field goal — W. Reichard (Q2 30:24, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — J. Bates (Q2 30:02, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — unlisted player (Q2 30:00, 3 pts) Minnesota Vikings field goal — W. Reichard (Q3 25:00, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions?
S. Darnold (Minnesota Vikings), 37.5% completion, -17.7% CPOE, -0.42 EPA per dropback, -19.97 total passing EPA. J. Goff (Detroit Lions), 75.0% completion, +10.0% CPOE, +0.02 EPA per dropback, +0.77 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions?
J. Gibbs (Detroit Lions) led the game in total EPA with +5.38 on receiving plays. across 5 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-6.79 EPA): (7:03) 16-J.Goff pass short middle intended for 13-C.Reynolds INTERCEPTED by 0-I.Pace (44-J.Metellus) at DET 13. 0-I.Pace to DET 7 for 6 yards (13-C.Reynolds; 16-J.Goff).. The biggest win-probability swing was +17.5%.
Season records after this game
Minnesota Vikings
Entered 14-2 Now 14-3 L
Detroit Lions
Entered 14-2 Now 15-2 W
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