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NFL · Week 13 · December 5, 2021 · 12 min read

Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions: 2021 Week 13 Recap

Lions defeat Vikings 29–27 in Week 13

Jordan Jefferson led Fantasy Impact as Lions prevailed in a 27–29 Week 13 finish.

Minnesota Vikings 27 5–7
Final 27–29
Detroit Lions 29 1–10 Winner
Winner
Detroit Lions
Final score
27–29
Halftime
Minnesota Vikings 6–20 Detroit Lions
Top passer
Kirk Cousins
FantasyHQ MVP
Jordan Jefferson
Game date
December 5, 2021

Top fantasy performers · Vikings

  • Jordan Jefferson
    Jordan Jefferson 11 REC · 182 YDS · 1 TD +10.8 Fantasy Impact
  • Kirk Cousins
    Kirk Cousins 30/45 · 333 YDS · 2 TD +5.0 Fantasy Impact
  • K.J. Osborn
    K.J. Osborn 4 REC · 47 YDS · 1 TD +4.8 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Lions

  • A.St.Brown +8.2 Fantasy Impact
  • Jared Goff
    Jared Goff 25/44 · 273 YDS · 3 TD +5.0 Fantasy Impact
  • Josh Reynolds
    Josh Reynolds 4 REC · 69 YDS +3.5 Fantasy Impact
View Vikings vs Lions box score View all 2021 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Detroit Lions
Final score
Detroit Lions 29–27 Minnesota Vikings
Halftime
Minnesota Vikings 6–20 Detroit Lions at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
Jordan Jefferson
Top passer
Kirk Cousins
Biggest EPA play
(11:16) 8-K.Cousins sacked at DET 40 for -7 yards (53-C.Harris). FUMBLES (53-C.Harris) [53…
Game date
2021-12-05

Game summary

The Detroit Lions beat the Minnesota Vikings 29–27 on 2021-12-05. Jordan Jefferson posted a game-high +10.83 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 20 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
Minnesota Vikings60912027
Detroit Lions02036029

Scoring Map

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

MINMinnesota Vikings
DETDetroit Lions

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

14 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. MINMinnesota Vikings
    Q1 6:54FG
    Greg Joseph

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DET 23
    Score
    3-0

    (6:54) 1-G.Joseph 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-3-J.Berry.

  2. MINMinnesota Vikings
    Q1 1:03FG
    Greg Joseph

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DET 13
    Score
    6-0

    (1:03) 1-G.Joseph 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-3-J.Berry.

  3. DETDetroit Lions
    Q2 13:54TD
    T.J. Hockenson

    Points+6

    Yard line
    MIN 9
    Score
    6-6

    (13:54) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short middle to 88-T.Hockenson for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  4. DETDetroit Lions
    Q2 13:50XP
    Riley Patterson

    Points+1

    Yard line
    MIN 15
    Score
    6-7

    6-R.Patterson extra point is GOOD, Center-47-S.Daly, Holder-3-J.Fox.

  5. DETDetroit Lions
    Q2 9:51TD
    Brock Wright

    Points+6

    Yard line
    MIN 23
    Score
    6-13

    (9:51) 16-J.Goff pass deep right to 89-B.Wright for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  6. DETDetroit Lions
    Q2 9:45XP
    Riley Patterson

    Points+1

    Yard line
    MIN 15
    Score
    6-14

    6-R.Patterson extra point is GOOD, Center-47-S.Daly, Holder-3-J.Fox.

  7. DETDetroit Lions
    Q2 1:37FG
    Riley Patterson

    Points+3

    Yard line
    MIN 13
    Score
    6-17

    (1:37) 6-R.Patterson 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-S.Daly, Holder-3-J.Fox.

  8. DETDetroit Lions
    Q2 0:10FG
    Riley Patterson

    Points+3

    Yard line
    MIN 23
    Score
    6-20

    (:10) 6-R.Patterson 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-S.Daly, Holder-3-J.Fox.

  9. MINMinnesota Vikings
    Q3 9:30FG
    Greg Joseph

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DET 12
    Score
    9-20

    (9:30) 1-G.Joseph 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-3-J.Berry.

  10. MINMinnesota Vikings
    Q3 6:20TD
    Alexander Mattison

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DET 8
    Score
    15-20

    (6:20) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 25-A.Mattison right end for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  11. DETDetroit Lions
    Q3 2:01FG
    Riley Patterson

    Points+3

    Yard line
    MIN 31
    Score
    15-23

    (2:01) 6-R.Patterson 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-S.Daly, Holder-3-J.Fox.

  12. MINMinnesota Vikings
    Q4 12:02TD
    K.J. Osborn

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DET 5
    Score
    21-23

    (12:02) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short middle to 17-K.Osborn for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on DET-53-C.Harris, Roughing the Passer, 1 yard, enforced between downs.

  13. MINMinnesota Vikings
    Q4 1:54TD
    Jordan Jefferson

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DET 3
    Score
    27-23

    (1:54) 8-K.Cousins pass short middle to 18-J.Jefferson for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  14. DETDetroit Lions
    Q4 0:04TD
    ASA. St

    Points+6

    Yard line
    MIN 11
    Score
    27-29

    (:04) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short left to 14-A.St. Brown for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1Jordan JeffersonJordan Jefferson · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +10.83 total EPA · 15 snaps · +0.72 EPA/play
  2. 2A. St.Brown · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +8.24 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.69 EPA/play
  3. 3Jared GoffJared Goff · Detroit Lions · Passing · +5.04 total EPA · 44 snaps · +0.11 EPA/play
  4. 4Kirk CousinsKirk Cousins · Minnesota Vikings · Passing · +5.03 total EPA · 45 snaps · +0.11 EPA/play
  5. 5K.J. OsbornK.J. Osborn · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +4.85 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.69 EPA/play
  6. 6Josh ReynoldsJosh Reynolds · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +3.51 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.50 EPA/play
  7. 7Brock WrightBrock Wright · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +2.02 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.67 EPA/play
  8. 8C.J. HamC.J. Ham · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +1.93 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.93 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

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

Jordan Jefferson

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Jordan Jefferson — MIN · Receiving

Jordan Jefferson posted the highest total EPA (+10.83) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Minnesota Vikings. Across 15 counted snaps, they averaged +0.72 EPA per play.

Jordan Jefferson's top snap (+3.23 EPA): (7:49) 8-K.Cousins pass deep middle to 18-J.Jefferson to DET 19 for 48 yards (39-J.Jacobs) [52-J.Lemonier].

Biggest single play (-5.68 EPA): Kirk Cousins — (11:16) 8-K.Cousins sacked at DET 40 for -7 yards (53-C.Harris). FUMBLES (53-C.Harris) [53-C.Harris], RECOVERED by DET-99-J.Okwara at DET 38. 99-J.Okwara to DET 44 for 6 yards (75-B.O'Neill, 56-G.Brad

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 CousinsKirk Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) · 45 dropbacks · 66.7% completion · +6.9% CPOE · +0.11 EPA/play · +5.03 total EPA
  • Jared GoffJared Goff (Detroit Lions) · 44 dropbacks · 56.8% completion · -3.4% CPOE · +0.11 EPA/play · +5.04 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatMinnesota VikingsDetroit Lions
Offensive EPA/play+0.009-0.010
Offensive success rate44.0%46.2%
Pass EPA/play+0.100+0.115
Rush EPA/play-0.117-0.329
Defensive EPA/play+0.010-0.009
Defensive success rate53.8%56.0%

Drive & efficiency notes

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

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Minnesota Vikings: +0.01 EPA/play (52nd percentile vs. 2021 team-game averages)
  • Detroit Lions: -0.01 EPA/play (48th percentile vs. 2021 team-game averages)
  • Detroit Lions: 12 drives, -0.91 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
  • Minnesota Vikings: 12 drives, +0.81 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

  • T.J. HockensonDetroit Lions — T.J. Hockenson (Jared Goff pass) (Q2 13:54)
  • Brock WrightDetroit Lions — Brock Wright (Jared Goff pass) (Q2 9:51)
  • Alexander MattisonMinnesota Vikings — Alexander Mattison (Q3 6:20)
  • K.J. OsbornMinnesota Vikings — K.J. Osborn (Kirk Cousins pass) (Q4 12:02)
  • Jordan JeffersonMinnesota Vikings — Jordan Jefferson (Kirk Cousins pass) (Q4 1:54)
  • Detroit Lions — A. St (Jared Goff pass) (Q4 0:04)

Field goals

  • Greg JosephMinnesota Vikings — Greg Joseph (Q1 6:54)
  • Greg JosephMinnesota Vikings — Greg Joseph (Q1 1:03)
  • Riley PattersonDetroit Lions — Riley Patterson (Q2 1:37)
  • Riley PattersonDetroit Lions — Riley Patterson (Q2 0:10)
  • Greg JosephMinnesota Vikings — Greg Joseph (Q3 9:30)
  • Riley PattersonDetroit Lions — Riley Patterson (Q3 2:01)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 6–0. Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the DET 23 (Q1 6:54) — (6:54) 1-G.Joseph 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-3-J.Berry.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the DET 13 (Q1 1:03) — (1:03) 1-G.Joseph 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-3-J.Berry..

The second quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 20–0. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIN 9 (Q2 13:54) — (13:54) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short middle to 88-T.Hockenson for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q2 13:50) — 6-R.Patterson extra point is GOOD, Center-47-S.Daly, Holder-3-J.Fox.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIN 23 (Q2 9:51) — (9:51) 16-J.Goff pass deep right to 89-B.Wright for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q2 9:45) — 6-R.Patterson extra point is GOOD, Center-47-S.Daly, Holder-3-J.Fox.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the MIN 13 (Q2 1:37) — (1:37) 6-R.Patterson 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-S.Daly, Holder-3-J.Fox.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the MIN 23 (Q2 0:10) — (:10) 6-R.Patterson 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-S.Daly, Holder-3-J.Fox..

The third quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 9–3. Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the DET 12 (Q3 9:30) — (9:30) 1-G.Joseph 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-3-J.Berry.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DET 8 (Q3 6:20) — (6:20) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 25-A.Mattison right end for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the MIN 31 (Q3 2:01) — (2:01) 6-R.Patterson 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-S.Daly, Holder-3-J.Fox..

The fourth quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 12–6. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DET 5 (Q4 12:02); Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the DET 3 (Q4 1:54) — (1:54) 8-K.Cousins pass short middle to 18-J.Jefferson for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the MIN 11 (Q4 0:04) — (:04) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short left to 14-A.St. Brown for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Detroit Lions (Q4 0:04) — (:04) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short left to 14-A.St. Brown for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +64.0% · EPA +4.32]
  • Detroit Lions (Q4 4:08) — (4:08) 16-J.Goff sacked at DET 21 for -7 yards (48-B.Lynch). FUMBLES (48-B.Lynch) [79-K.Willekes], RECOVERED by MIN-48-B.Lynch at DET 19. [WPA -33.7% · EPA -3.86]
  • Minnesota Vikings (Q2 11:16) — (11:16) 8-K.Cousins sacked at DET 40 for -7 yards (53-C.Harris). FUMBLES (53-C.Harris) [53-C.Harris], RECOVERED by DET-99-J.Okwara at DET 38. 99-J.Okwara to DET 44 for 6 yards (75-B.O'Neill, 56-G.Brad [WPA -19.2% · EPA -5.68]
  • Detroit Lions (Q4 8:41) — (8:41) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short middle intended for 88-T.Hockenson INTERCEPTED by 27-C.Dantzler at MIN 31. 27-C.Dantzler to MIN 31 for no gain (88-T.Hockenson). [WPA -17.0% · EPA -4.34]
  • Minnesota Vikings (Q4 1:54) — (1:54) 8-K.Cousins pass short middle to 18-J.Jefferson for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +16.4% · EPA +2.84]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Minnesota Vikings (Q2 11:16) — (11:16) 8-K.Cousins sacked at DET 40 for -7 yards (53-C.Harris). FUMBLES (53-C.Harris) [53-C.Harris], RECOVERED by DET-99-J.Okwara at DET 38. 99-J.Okwara to DET 44 for 6 yards (75-B.O'Neill, 56-G.Brad [WPA -19.2% · EPA -5.68]
  • Detroit Lions (Q4 8:41) — (8:41) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short middle intended for 88-T.Hockenson INTERCEPTED by 27-C.Dantzler at MIN 31. 27-C.Dantzler to MIN 31 for no gain (88-T.Hockenson). [WPA -17.0% · EPA -4.34]
  • Detroit Lions (Q4 0:04) — (:04) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short left to 14-A.St. Brown for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +64.0% · EPA +4.32]
  • Detroit Lions (Q4 4:08) — (4:08) 16-J.Goff sacked at DET 21 for -7 yards (48-B.Lynch). FUMBLES (48-B.Lynch) [79-K.Willekes], RECOVERED by MIN-48-B.Lynch at DET 19. [WPA -33.7% · EPA -3.86]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q1 6:54 · DET 23 · Score 3-0
    (6:54) 1-G.Joseph 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-3-J.Berry.
  2. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q1 1:03 · DET 13 · Score 6-0
    (1:03) 1-G.Joseph 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-3-J.Berry.
  3. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 13:54 · MIN 9 · Score 6-6
    (13:54) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short middle to 88-T.Hockenson for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  4. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 13:50 · MIN 15 · Score 6-7
    6-R.Patterson extra point is GOOD, Center-47-S.Daly, Holder-3-J.Fox.
  5. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 9:51 · MIN 23 · Score 6-13
    (9:51) 16-J.Goff pass deep right to 89-B.Wright for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  6. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 9:45 · MIN 15 · Score 6-14
    6-R.Patterson extra point is GOOD, Center-47-S.Daly, Holder-3-J.Fox.
  7. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q2 1:37 · MIN 13 · Score 6-17
    (1:37) 6-R.Patterson 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-S.Daly, Holder-3-J.Fox.
  8. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q2 0:10 · MIN 23 · Score 6-20
    (:10) 6-R.Patterson 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-S.Daly, Holder-3-J.Fox.
  9. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q3 9:30 · DET 12 · Score 9-20
    (9:30) 1-G.Joseph 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-3-J.Berry.
  10. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q3 6:20 · DET 8 · Score 15-20
    (6:20) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 25-A.Mattison right end for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  11. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q3 2:01 · MIN 31 · Score 15-23
    (2:01) 6-R.Patterson 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-S.Daly, Holder-3-J.Fox.
  12. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 12:02 · DET 5 · Score 21-23
    (12:02) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short middle to 17-K.Osborn for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on DET-53-C.Harris, Roughing the Passer, 1 yard, enforced between downs.
  13. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 1:54 · DET 3 · Score 27-23
    (1:54) 8-K.Cousins pass short middle to 18-J.Jefferson for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  14. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 0:04 · MIN 11 · Score 27-29
    (:04) (Shotgun) 16-J.Goff pass short left to 14-A.St. Brown for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Key takeaways

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

  • Detroit Lions earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
  • One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
  • Jordan Jefferson (Minnesota Vikings) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
  • Kirk Cousins (MIN) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).

Frequently asked questions

Who won Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions on 2021-12-05?

The Detroit Lions beat the Minnesota Vikings 29-27 in Week 13, 2021.

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

Q1: Minnesota Vikings 6, Detroit Lions 0; Q2: Minnesota Vikings 0, Detroit Lions 20; Q3: Minnesota Vikings 9, Detroit Lions 3; Q4: Minnesota Vikings 12, Detroit Lions 6; Final: Minnesota Vikings 27, Detroit Lions 29.

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

Detroit Lions touchdown — T. Hockenson (J. Goff pass) (Q2 13:54) Detroit Lions touchdown — B. Wright (J. Goff pass) (Q2 9:51) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — A. Mattison (Q3 6:20) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — K. Osborn (K. Cousins pass) (Q4 12:02) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — J. Jefferson (K. Cousins pass) (Q4 1:54) Detroit Lions touchdown — A. St (J. Goff pass) (Q4 0:04) Minnesota Vikings field goal — G. Joseph (Q1 6:54, 3 pts) Minnesota Vikings field goal — G. Joseph (Q1 1:03, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — R. Patterson (Q2 1:37, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — R. Patterson (Q2 0:10, 3 pts) Minnesota Vikings field goal — G. Joseph (Q3 9:30, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — R. Patterson (Q3 2:01, 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), 66.7% completion, +6.9% CPOE, +0.11 EPA per dropback, +5.03 total passing EPA. Jared Goff (Detroit Lions), 56.8% completion, -3.4% CPOE, +0.11 EPA per dropback, +5.04 total passing EPA.

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

Jordan Jefferson (Minnesota Vikings) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +10.83 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 15 snaps. Their top snap (+3.23 EPA): (7:49) 8-K.Cousins pass deep middle to 18-J.Jefferson to DET 19 for 48 yards (39-J.Jacobs) [52-J.Lemonier]..

Was Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions a close game?

Yes — the margin was 2 points. Detroit Lions won 29-27 in a game that came down to the wire.

Season records after this game

Minnesota Vikings

Entered 5-6 Now 5-7 L

Detroit Lions

Entered 0-10 Now 1-10 W

FantasyHQ · fantasyhq.co

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