Vikings 37–35 Lions: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 17, 2020

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

K. Cousins (Minnesota Vikings), 59.6% completion, +1.9% CPOE, +0.45 EPA per dropback, +21.17 total passing EPA. M. Stafford (Detroit Lions), 52.6% completion, +0.4% CPOE, +0.19 EPA per dropback, +7.37 total passing EPA.

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

K. Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +21.17 total EPA on Passing plays. across 47 snaps. Their top snap (+5.51 EPA): (:11) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass deep left to 12-C.Beebe for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Quick answer

Winner: Minnesota Vikings
Final score: Minnesota Vikings 37–35 Detroit Lions
Halftime: Minnesota Vikings 21–16 Detroit Lions at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: Kirk Cousins
Top passer: Kirk Cousins
Biggest EPA play: (:11) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass deep left to 12-C.Beebe for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Game date: 2021-01-03

Game summary

The Minnesota Vikings beat the Detroit Lions 37–35 on 2021-01-03. Kirk Cousins posted a game-high +21.17 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 24 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	—	T
Minnesota Vikings	7	14	10	6	0	37
Detroit Lions	6	10	13	6	0	35

Scoring Map

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

MINMinnesota Vikings

MIN 43

DET 28

MIN 20

+1MIN 15

+3MIN 36

DET 40

MIN 26

+1MIN 15

MIN 2

DETDetroit Lions

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

18 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

DETDetroit Lions
Q1 4:53TD
Marcus Jones
Points+6
Yard line
MIN 43
Score
0-6
(4:53) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 11-M.Jones for 43 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
MINMinnesota Vikings
Q1 0:43TD
Alexander Mattison
Points+6
Yard line
DET 28
Score
6-6
(:43) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 25-A.Mattison for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
MINMinnesota Vikings
Q1 0:34XP
Dominic Bailey
Points+1
Yard line
DET 15
Score
7-6
5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.
DETDetroit Lions
Q2 13:24TD
Quintez Cephus
Points+6
Yard line
MIN 20
Score
7-12
(13:24) (No Huddle) 9-M.Stafford pass deep left to 87-Q.Cephus for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
DETDetroit Lions
Q2 13:19XP
Matt Prater
Points+1
Yard line
MIN 15
Score
7-13
5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.
MINMinnesota Vikings
Q2 8:56TD
Ameer Abdullah
Points+6
Yard line
DET 4
Score
13-13
(8:56) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 31-A.Abdullah for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
MINMinnesota Vikings
Q2 8:51XP
Dominic Bailey
Points+1
Yard line
DET 15
Score
14-13
5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.
DETDetroit Lions
Q2 7:18FG
Matt Prater
Points+3
Yard line
MIN 36
Score
14-16
(7:18) 5-M.Prater 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.
MINMinnesota Vikings
Q2 0:11TD
Cooper Beebe
Points+6
Yard line
DET 40
Score
20-16
(:11) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass deep left to 12-C.Beebe for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
MINMinnesota Vikings
Q2 0:04XP
Dominic Bailey
Points+1
Yard line
DET 15
Score
21-16
5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.
DETDetroit Lions
Q3 14:15TD
Marcus Jones
Points+6
Yard line
MIN 26
Score
21-22
(14:15) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 11-M.Jones for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
DETDetroit Lions
Q3 14:09XP
Matt Prater
Points+1
Yard line
MIN 15
Score
21-23
5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.
MINMinnesota Vikings
Q3 11:38TD
Alexander Mattison
Points+6
Yard line
DET 2
Score
27-23
(11:38) 25-A.Mattison right tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
MINMinnesota Vikings
Q3 11:35XP
Dominic Bailey
Points+1
Yard line
DET 15
Score
28-23
5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.
MINMinnesota Vikings
Q3 7:59FG
Dominic Bailey
Points+3
Yard line
DET 4
Score
31-23
(7:59) 5-D.Bailey 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.
DETDetroit Lions
Q3 3:08TD
APA. Peterson
Points+6
Yard line
MIN 2
Score
31-29
(3:08) 70-D.Skipper reported in as eligible. 28-A.Peterson left tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
MINMinnesota Vikings
Q4 10:36TD
Kirk Cousins
Points+6
Yard line
DET 1
Score
37-29
(10:36) 8-K.Cousins up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
DETDetroit Lions
Q4 4:30TD
D'Andre Swift
Points+6
Yard line
MIN 2
Score
37-35
(4:30) (No Huddle) 32-D.Swift up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1Kirk Cousins · Minnesota Vikings · Passing · +21.17 total EPA · 47 snaps · +0.45 EPA/play
2Jordan Jefferson · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +8.58 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.72 EPA/play
3Marcus Jones · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +7.86 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.66 EPA/play
4Matthew Stafford · Detroit Lions · Passing · +7.37 total EPA · 38 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
5Alexander Mattison · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +6.27 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.09 EPA/play
6A. Peterson · Detroit Lions · Rushing · +5.17 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.74 EPA/play
7Cooper Beebe · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +4.76 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.59 EPA/play
8Quintez Cephus · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +3.97 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.99 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

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

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Kirk Cousins — MIN · Passing

Kirk Cousins posted the highest total EPA (+21.17) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Minnesota Vikings. Across 47 counted snaps, they averaged +0.45 EPA per play.

Kirk Cousins's top snap (+5.51 EPA): (:11) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass deep left to 12-C.Beebe for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Quarterback report card

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

Kirk Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) · 47 dropbacks · 59.6% completion · +1.9% CPOE · +0.45 EPA/play · +21.17 total EPA
Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions) · 38 dropbacks · 52.6% completion · +0.4% CPOE · +0.19 EPA/play · +7.37 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	Minnesota Vikings	Detroit Lions
Offensive EPA/play	+0.185	+0.198
Offensive success rate	51.5%	45.2%
Pass EPA/play	+0.450	+0.194
Rush EPA/play	+0.100	+0.316
Defensive EPA/play	-0.198	-0.185
Defensive success rate	54.8%	48.5%

Drive & efficiency notes

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Minnesota Vikings +0.18, Detroit Lions +0.20) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

Minnesota Vikings: +0.18 EPA/play (85th percentile vs. 2020 team-game averages)
Detroit Lions: +0.20 EPA/play (88th percentile vs. 2020 team-game averages)

Detroit Lions: 10 drives, +14.49 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
Minnesota Vikings: 11 drives, +18.27 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

Detroit Lions — Marcus Jones (Matthew Stafford pass) (Q1 4:53)
Minnesota Vikings — Alexander Mattison (Kirk Cousins pass) (Q1 0:43)
Detroit Lions — Quintez Cephus (Matthew Stafford pass) (Q2 13:24)
Minnesota Vikings — Ameer Abdullah (Kirk Cousins pass) (Q2 8:56)
Minnesota Vikings — Cooper Beebe (Kirk Cousins pass) (Q2 0:11)
Detroit Lions — Marcus Jones (Matthew Stafford pass) (Q3 14:15)
Minnesota Vikings — Alexander Mattison (Q3 11:38)
Detroit Lions — A. Peterson (Q3 3:08)
Minnesota Vikings — Kirk Cousins (Q4 10:36)
Detroit Lions — D'Andre Swift (Q4 4:30)

Field goals

Detroit Lions — Matt Prater (Q2 7:18)
Minnesota Vikings — Dominic Bailey (Q3 7:59)

Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 7–6. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIN 43 (Q1 4:53) — (4:53) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 11-M.Jones for 43 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DET 28 (Q1 0:43) — (:43) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 25-A.Mattison for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q1 0:34) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-2-B.Colquitt..

The second quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 14–10. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIN 20 (Q2 13:24) — (13:24) (No Huddle) 9-M.Stafford pass deep left to 87-Q.Cephus for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q2 13:19) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DET 4 (Q2 8:56) — (8:56) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 31-A.Abdullah for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q2 8:51) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the MIN 36 (Q2 7:18) — (7:18) 5-M.Prater 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DET 40 (Q2 0:11) — (:11) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass deep left to 12-C.Beebe for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q2 0:04) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-2-B.Colquitt..

The third quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 13–10. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIN 26 (Q3 14:15) — (14:15) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 11-M.Jones for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q3 14:09) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DET 2 (Q3 11:38) — (11:38) 25-A.Mattison right tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q3 11:35) — 5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the DET 4 (Q3 7:59) — (7:59) 5-D.Bailey 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIN 2 (Q3 3:08) — (3:08) 70-D.Skipper reported in as eligible. 28-A.Peterson left tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 6–6. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DET 1 (Q4 10:36) — (10:36) 8-K.Cousins up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIN 2 (Q4 4:30) — (4:30) (No Huddle) 32-D.Swift up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

Minnesota Vikings (Q3 12:51) — (12:51) 8-K.Cousins pass short middle to 18-J.Jefferson to DET 14 for 38 yards (51-J.Tavai) [95-R.Okwara]. PENALTY on DET-95-R.Okwara, Roughing the Passer, 7 yards, enforced at DET 14. [WPA +14.3% · EPA +3.52]
Minnesota Vikings (Q1 0:43) — (:43) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 25-A.Mattison for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.3% · EPA +4.87]
Minnesota Vikings (Q2 0:11) — (:11) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass deep left to 12-C.Beebe for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.7% · EPA +5.51]
Minnesota Vikings (Q2 2:58) — (2:58) 5-D.Bailey 46 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-2-B.Colquitt. [WPA -13.6% · EPA -3.63]
Detroit Lions (Q4 4:30) — (4:30) (No Huddle) 32-D.Swift up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.3% · EPA +0.75]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

Minnesota Vikings (Q2 0:11) — (:11) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass deep left to 12-C.Beebe for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.7% · EPA +5.51]
Minnesota Vikings (Q1 0:43) — (:43) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 25-A.Mattison for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.3% · EPA +4.87]
Detroit Lions (Q3 9:49) — (9:49) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle intended for 11-M.Jones INTERCEPTED by 22-H.Smith at DET 32. 22-H.Smith to DET 23 for 9 yards (11-M.Jones). [WPA -8.1% · EPA -4.39]
Minnesota Vikings (Q1 9:37) — (9:37) 2-B.Colquitt punts 50 yards to DET 16, Center-42-A.DePaola. 39-J.Agnew to DET 28 for 12 yards (47-H.Nickerson). FUMBLES (47-H.Nickerson), RECOVERED by MIN-42-A.DePaola at DET 42. Penalty on DET [WPA +8.1% · EPA +3.68]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 4:53 · MIN 43 · Score 0-6
(4:53) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 11-M.Jones for 43 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q1 0:43 · DET 28 · Score 6-6
(:43) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 25-A.Mattison for 28 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q1 0:34 · DET 15 · Score 7-6
5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.
Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 13:24 · MIN 20 · Score 7-12
(13:24) (No Huddle) 9-M.Stafford pass deep left to 87-Q.Cephus for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 13:19 · MIN 15 · Score 7-13
5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.
Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 8:56 · DET 4 · Score 13-13
(8:56) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 31-A.Abdullah for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q2 8:51 · DET 15 · Score 14-13
5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.
Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q2 7:18 · MIN 36 · Score 14-16
(7:18) 5-M.Prater 54 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.
Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 0:11 · DET 40 · Score 20-16
(:11) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass deep left to 12-C.Beebe for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q2 0:04 · DET 15 · Score 21-16
5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.
Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q3 14:15 · MIN 26 · Score 21-22
(14:15) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 11-M.Jones for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q3 14:09 · MIN 15 · Score 21-23
5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-3-J.Fox.
Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q3 11:38 · DET 2 · Score 27-23
(11:38) 25-A.Mattison right tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q3 11:35 · DET 15 · Score 28-23
5-D.Bailey extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.
Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q3 7:59 · DET 4 · Score 31-23
(7:59) 5-D.Bailey 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-2-B.Colquitt.
Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q3 3:08 · MIN 2 · Score 31-29
(3:08) 70-D.Skipper reported in as eligible. 28-A.Peterson left tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 10:36 · DET 1 · Score 37-29
(10:36) 8-K.Cousins up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 4:30 · MIN 2 · Score 37-35
(4:30) (No Huddle) 32-D.Swift up the middle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Key takeaways

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

Minnesota Vikings earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
Kirk Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions on 2021-01-03?

The Minnesota Vikings beat the Detroit Lions 37-35 in Week 17, 2020.

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

Q1: Minnesota Vikings 7, Detroit Lions 6; Q2: Minnesota Vikings 14, Detroit Lions 10; Q3: Minnesota Vikings 10, Detroit Lions 13; Q4: Minnesota Vikings 6, Detroit Lions 6; Final: Minnesota Vikings 37, Detroit Lions 35.

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

Detroit Lions touchdown — M. Jones (M. Stafford pass) (Q1 4:53) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — A. Mattison (K. Cousins pass) (Q1 0:43) Detroit Lions touchdown — Q. Cephus (M. Stafford pass) (Q2 13:24) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — A. Abdullah (K. Cousins pass) (Q2 8:56) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — C. Beebe (K. Cousins pass) (Q2 0:11) Detroit Lions touchdown — M. Jones (M. Stafford pass) (Q3 14:15) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — A. Mattison (Q3 11:38) Detroit Lions touchdown — A. Peterson (Q3 3:08) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — K. Cousins (Q4 10:36) Detroit Lions touchdown — D. Swift (Q4 4:30) Detroit Lions field goal — M. Prater (Q2 7:18, 3 pts) Minnesota Vikings field goal — D. Bailey (Q3 7:59, 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?

Kirk Cousins (Minnesota Vikings), 59.6% completion, +1.9% CPOE, +0.45 EPA per dropback, +21.17 total passing EPA. Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions), 52.6% completion, +0.4% CPOE, +0.19 EPA per dropback, +7.37 total passing EPA.

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

Kirk Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +21.17 total EPA on Passing plays. across 47 snaps. Their top snap (+5.51 EPA): (:11) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass deep left to 12-C.Beebe for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Was Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions a close game?

Yes — the margin was 2 points. Minnesota Vikings won 37-35 in a game that came down to the wire.

Season records after this game

Minnesota Vikings

Entered 6-9 Now 7-9 W

Detroit Lions

Entered 5-10 Now 5-11 L

Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions: 2020 Week 17 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Vikings

Top fantasy performers · Lions

Quick answer

Game summary