The Detroit Lions clinched their first division title in 30 years with a 30-24 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. Jahmyr Gibbs, who leads the NFL with 10 rushes of 20+ yards, scored two touchdowns, including a 14-yard run. David Montgomery also contributed with a 1-yard TD run. The Lions' defense made critical plays, with rookie DB Brian Branch nearly intercepting a pass and later being flagged for holding. The Lions' offense was powerful, starting with a 14-play, 80-yard drive. Despite a Gibbs fumble at midfield and a Vikings roughing the passer penalty, the Lions maintained control. Nick Mullens of the Vikings threw a 26-yard TD pass to Justin Jefferson and led with over 400 passing yards but was intercepted four times. The Lions made history with two rookies, Gibbs and Sam LaPorta, each having 9+ TDs in a season. The Vikings briefly led 21-17 in the 3rd quarter, but a Goff TD pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown and a blocked extra point shifted the momentum. Gibbs' second TD of the day and a Vikings field goal set the final score. With 11 wins, the Lions have had one of their most successful seasons, and an emotional interview with Jared Goff post-game underscored the significance of the victory.
DIVISION CHAMPS‼️ Detroit, Michigan you’ve waited 30 years for this moment and I’m happy to say WE ARE THE NORTH!! One goal down and many more still ahead but for now we about to celebrate this moment!! #Detroit https://t.co/8nBhmgQNk2
NFL roundup: Lions hang on to beat Vikings for first division title since 1993 https://t.co/YelsTSB6q3
Barry Sanders chimed in, Jared Goff got emotional, and a celebration erupted in the locker room. Inside the Lions' emotions as NFC North champs. https://t.co/B3Rq5memHu
With their first division title since 1993, Jared Goff has high hopes for the Detroit Lions 🦁 #OnePride https://t.co/GoHckkYEak
Lions capture the NFC North with 30-24 win at Vikings for first division title in 30 years. It was a complete team win and afterward Dan Campbell couldn't say the word 'special' often enough. See https://t.co/a415Suqgkn
The #Lions locker room is LIT 🔥 Detroit has won the NFC North for the 1st time since 1993❕ #OnePride | #NFL https://t.co/NxE6rLYIxn
The drought, the streak, the misery, the losing venom- has come to an end. 2023 NFC North Champions. Merry Christmas. I love you all. #OnePride https://t.co/zvknYFPkKX
Tap in. NFC North Champions for the first time in my life. Nothing could kill this high. Lions brought it home and so are we. Take that Al-Qaeda https://t.co/zb66P0PXxu
“IT GETS COLD LIKE MINNESOTA” The Detroit Lions are NFC North champions 🥶 https://t.co/UD33lOT2MX
The @Lions have won 11 games in a season for only the 4th time in team history. #OnePride https://t.co/6kaAnRNAzO
My @nflnetwork 1-on-1 with an emotional Jared Goff after the #Lions — a three-win team two years ago, with a castoff QB — clinched their first division title since 1993. What a moment for Detroit, with bigger goals still ahead. @NFLGameDay https://t.co/fJtzm3aATY
Lions 30, Vikings 24. Lions are division champs for the first time in 30 years. Has anyone pointed this out? Helluva season, and it’s almost literally just getting started.
WHAT A WIN — NFC North champs! No better gift than that! Let’s go @Lions! https://t.co/nbsOQzuIxC
Nick Mullens with the game on the line and Justin Jefferson in the endzone https://t.co/guplyZDGNS
WHAT A WIN — NFC North champs! Let’s go @Lions! https://t.co/nbsOQzuIxC
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO THE LIONS THE NFC NORTH! LET'S GOOOOOOOO! #OnePride #NFLPlayoffs #PostseasonBound #Finally
I was in my 30’s the last time they won a division. They certainly didn’t make it easy but nevertheless how does this sound. @Lions are the NFC North Champs. And that deserves a Crown! https://t.co/ZMLhA3XVvb
DETROIT LIONS FANS RIGHT NOW WITH THE PLAYOFFS CLINCHED: https://t.co/11wBUOGDan
The Lions have won a division championship for the first time in 30 years. Happy for Detroit fans, and for Jared Goff. Great dude who made a lot of fans in LA for how well he treated folks and did a lot of great stuff in the community.
The @Lions are your NFC North Division Champs!!! Congrats City of Detroit, soak it up, you deserve it
Last time the Lions won the division, I was only 11 years old. 30 long years later I can finally relive that elusive feeling I’ve been chasing since my youth! THE DETROIT LIONS ARE KING OF THE NORTH! #OnePride
Lions fans after winning the NFC North https://t.co/lcXOZbfJ3v
And congrats to all the Lions fans I’ve interacted with over the years. You deserve this!
This catch by #Vikings WR Justin Jefferson was ABSURD 🤯 https://t.co/AYiMVynZ6y
THE DETROIT LIONS ARE 11-4 AND NFC NORTH CHAMPIONS LFGGGGGGGG and another W on @Solcasinoio 😈😈 https://t.co/x61hfhytZQ
No better holiday gift than an NFC North title 🎁 https://t.co/ldDDuXm6MI
Detroit Lions win the division for the first time since 1993 Jared Goff wasn’t even alive the last time this happened https://t.co/Zl0J2UPaUM
BIG win for the Lions today as they clinch the NFC North. 👏 ✅ DET -2.5 ✅ O 47.5 https://t.co/79GDeeKH8h
🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁 NFC North Champions!!!! #OnePride
A moment 30 years in the making. Congrats, #Lions. Merry Christmas, Detroit. https://t.co/6lYS79ho3V
FINAL: @Lions get their 11th win and clinch the division! #DETvsMIN https://t.co/eBsbbZUwt3
I’ve been waiting 30 F***ing Years for this!!!!!!!! YEAH, BABY!!!!! @Lions #Lions #NFCNorthChamps 🏈🔥
Nick Mullens. YOLO. He, like Kevin O’Connell, wants a big play on every down. You get some, and if you’re not careful, you lose some. That’s a 411-yard, 4-INT game. Lions 30, Vikings 24. FINAL.
Congrats to Lions fans. Super cool. Enjoy it.
Division champs! Let’s go @Lions!
And just like that, the Detroit Lions have won their division for the first time since 1993 Jared Goff was 1 year-old https://t.co/Zl0J2UPaUM
30 years is a LONG time. Congratulations @Lions fans. Hope you all have an incredible night. You deserve it. 💪
Have to feel good for Lions fans. They've earned this one.
Congrats @lions fans Go get your home playoff game tickets. Division winners for the first time in 30 years.
JUSTIN JEFFERSON ON 3RD & 27 ‼️ JETTAS IS UNREAL! (via NFL, FOX) https://t.co/KZoFUpdDqF
The Detroit Lions have won their division for the first time in my lifetime. MERRY CHRISTMAS! https://t.co/jGDNB45fvJ
The 30-year drought is over. It’ll be a very Merry Christmas in Metro Detroit this year because for the first time since 1993 the Detroit Lions have clinched a division title with a, 30-24, win in Minnesota against the Vikings Sunday.
WOW!! Unreal catch by Justin Jefferson on 3rd & 27!!! 🤯 📺: FOX https://t.co/JXHMTiN3LN
One play after the Lions fail to fall on a fumble, 3rd and 27 conversion for the Vikings.
Justin Jefferson recovers Nick Mullens's stripsack on second down and then outjumps two Lions on third-and-27 for 28 yards. Lions could have fallen on the fumble but tried to run with it.
Lions opt not to fall on a fumble to win the game and don't get it. Vikings convert a 3rd-and-27 the next play. Oh boy
JUSTIN JEFFERSON ON 3RD AND 27 HOLY. SHIT. PAY THE MAN https://t.co/7h7KcYRm28
Check out the Justin Jefferson 3rd and 27 catch WOW Almost as good as the one vs. the Bills last year
Gonna attempt to recap the last few plays: Nick Mullens fumble, Lions can't recover, sets up third-and-27. Mullens lobs to Justin Jefferson in double coverage. First down.
Vikings will have to 88 yards with no timeouts and 2:23 on the clock to win. #DETvsMIN
Lions: 30 Vikings: 24 2:36 remaining. @Vikings ball. @Lions clinch the division with a win. 📺: #DETvsMIN on FOX 📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/UIg1XAk0MB
Lions will punt. Vikings will geet the ball back with less than three minutes to go, down six, without any timeouts.
Vikings have used their last timeout with 4:12 left. Lions are a first down away from really having a stranglehold on this game. #DETvsMIN
Third-and-7. Goff's pass to Josh Reynolds is incomplete, but the Vikings flagged for an illegal contact penalty. First down, Lions. Vikings down to one timeout with 4:17 to go.
Third-and-7. Goff's pass to Josh Reynolds is complete, but the Vikings flagged for an illegal contact penalty. First down, Lions. Vikings down to one timeout with 4:17 to go.
Vikings settle for 26-yd FG. Lions 30, Vikings 24 with 5:19 left ....
Minnesota adds a field goal. The blocked PAT looming large right now. Lions 30, Vikings 24. 5:19 to go.
Justin Jefferson makes an insane catch while taking a hit and then Nick Mullens hits Johnny Mundt on a trick play up the sidelines.
Jahmyr Gibbs goes untouched to cash his 2+ TD (+700) prop! 😮💨 (via NFL, FOX) https://t.co/FaOtN1QYkq
.@Lions RB @Jahmyr_Gibbs1 is the 3rd rookie in franchise history to produce 1,000+ scrimmage yards and 10 TDs in a season, joining: - @BarrySanders (1989) - Billy Sims (1980) #OnePride #ProBowlVote https://t.co/Wm4z1mOU7r
The Vikings have stopped the Lions twice today on offense -- one turnover and one punt. Otherwise, the Lions have 363 offensive yards and 26 first downs with most of the fourth quarter remaining.
Jahmry Gibbs in for 4-yard TD run. His second TD today. Kick good. Lions 30, Vikings 21. 11:07 left ... Will it be a merry finish for Lions?
Jahmyr Gibbs coming through in the fantasy playoffs https://t.co/L1S74wcq3b
Jahmyr Gibbs scores his 2nd TD of the day ✌️ https://t.co/j69WH3jkFz
Vikings 21 Lions 30 Detroit also leading in time of possession, 32:16 to 16:37, and the Vikings defense is worn down and injured. There's 11:07 left.
Badgley EP is good so the Lions lead 30-21 with 11:07 left in game. #DETvsMIN
Gibbs walks in for his second touchdown of the game and the Lions have made this a two-score game. Lions 30, Vikings 21. 11:07 Q4
Jahmyr Gibbs' second TD of the day ✅ 📺: #DETvsMIN on FOX 📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/UIg1XAk0MB https://t.co/0a5wX7lBIf
Jahmyr Gibbs finds the end zone for another touchdown and the Lions are 11 minutes, 7 seconds from winning the NFC North.
Lions lead 23-21 at the end of the 3rd quarter. Detroit will have 2nd and 6 at Vikings 33-yard line to begin 4th quarter. #DETvsMIN
JAHMYR GIBBS IS GOOD AT FOOTBALL https://t.co/RzjsiQWbND
Badgley EP is blocked. Lions lead 23-21 with 4:38 left in 3rd quarter. #DETvsMIN
Jared Goff finds Amon Ra St. Brown for a touchdown and the Lions retake the lead. Theo Jackson blocks the extra point for the Vikings.
Touchdown, Lions. Goff to Amon-Ra St. Brown. Extra point is blocked. Lions 23, Vikings 21.
Goff to Amon-Ra St. Brown for the TD. #DETvsMIN
Nick Mullens' 47-yard pass to K.J. Osborn traveled 50.2 yards in the air, the longest completion by air distance by a Vikings quarterback this season (and first over 50). 🔹 Target Separation: 0.5 yds 🔹 Completion Probability: 29.3% #DETvsMIN | #Skol https://t.co/fjsQtBfYey
Lions going for it on fourth-and-1 from the Minnesota 7.
Jahmyr Gibbs is just a problem
Jahmyr Gibbs was a diving tackle away from a TD on fourth-and-1. First down, Lions.
4th and 1 at Minnesota 34. Lions offense on the field. #DETvsMIN
Phew. Vikings just pulled off the double-dip, scoring to end the first half and then again to start the second. Nick Mullens' 47-yard throw to Osborn sets up their 6-yard TD connection. Mullens has 259 yards on 14 pass completions. Vikings 21, Lions 17. 11:56 Q3.
Vikings add extra point and now lead Lions 21-17 with 11:56 left in 3rd quarter. #DETvsMIN
Nick Mullens' last seven throws 22yd to Jefferson Incomplete 29yd to Jefferson 26yd TD to Jefferson 24yd to Hockenson 47yd to Osborn 6yd TD to Osborn Vikings lead 21-17
Mullens goes deep to KJ Osborn for 47 yards! 📺: #DETvsMIN on FOX 📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/UIg1XAk0MB https://t.co/2ncWFLZVny
Nick Mullens to KJ Osborn. Touchdown. Vikings take the lead. What a way to come out of the locker room after halftime.
Mullens to Osborn for the TD. #DETvsMIN
Mullens throws a bomb to K.J. Osborn who beat Khalil Dorsey and Vikings at Lions 6-yard line. #DETvsMIN
The Lions are two quarters away from their first NFC North title 🤯 They lead the Vikings 17-14 at the half. https://t.co/3uJk1YDaT1
Nick Mullens & Justin Jefferson (26-yd TD) 📽️ 🔹 Time to Throw: 5.17 seconds 🔹 Sideline Distance: 1.6 yds 🔹 Completion Probability: 21.3%* *Vikings' most improbable completion this season; Mullens is responsible for the top 3 most improbable #DETvsMIN | #Skol https://t.co/vmcB9mLEPN
At the half, Lions 17, Vikings 14. Goff 15-21, 132 yards. Montgomery and Giffs with TDs. Ifeatu Melifonwu with 2 sacks. Joseph and Branch each have 1 INT. Branch also has sack.
Justin Jefferson's big plays keep Vikings in it, but Lions take halftime lead. https://t.co/g0l7g1tsUK
What a play. Throw by Mullens, catch by Jefferson. Wow. 17-14 Lions, but hell of an drive by Minnesota at the end of the half
You Only Live Once. Nick Mullens just decided to feed Justin Jefferson on that drive. Ends with a 26-yard touchdown pass. Jefferson up to 85 yards on 4 catches. Lions 17, Vikings 14. 0:29 Q2. https://t.co/5ON8TkTA0R
You could hear the crowd hold its breath as Nick Mullens released that throw to Jefferson in the end zone. Touchdown. Mullens to Jefferson x3 for 22 yards, 29 yards and then a 26-yard touchdown. Gets the Vikings back on the board with 29 seconds before halftime 17-14, Lions
Mullens to Jefferson for the TD. #DETvsMIN
Jahmyr Gibbs scores his 9th TD of the season to go with 9 for Sam LaPorta. Lions are the first team ever w/ 2 rookies to have 9+ TDs in same season
FEED JAHMYR GIBBS 🗣️https://t.co/ljdn9qwxHZ
Jahmyr Gibbs told me earlier this week his preseason goal was 12 TDs. Rookie didn't get his first till Week 7, but "I can still get that done," he said. Just scored his ninth of the season to put the Lions up 17-7 late in the first half. https://t.co/hKuon4Nbgq
Jahmyr Gibbs bounces it outside for the TOUCHDOWN! 💨 (via NFL, FOX) https://t.co/IKbxzd7wGM
Jahmyr Gibbs making it look easy and it's 17-7 @Lions! 🦁 https://t.co/lm3wUyVb0N
Jahmyr Gibbs somehow finds endzone in 14-yard TD run. Lions 17, Vikings 7 with 1:48 left in half. It's 8th rushing TD for Gibbs .
Jahmyr Gibbs bounces outside for the TD! 📺: #DETvsMIN on FOX 📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/UIg1XAk0MB https://t.co/MkLgF5vneM
Hell of a run from Jahmyr Gibbs and the Lions are up 17-7.
Badgley EP is good and Lions lead 17-7 with 1:48 left in 1st half. #DETvsMIN
Jahmyr Gibbs is so fucking cool
Touchdown, Jahmyr Gibbs. Broke a tackle and bounced it to the outside. His acceleration is nuts. Lions 17, Vikings 7.
Jahmyr Gibbs is really good.. Vikings 7, Lions 16 w/ a PAT upcoming
Gibbs around the corner and into the end zone for the TD. #DETvsMIN
Lions ball at Vikings 33 with 2:38 left in the half. #DETvsMIN
Nick Mullens with a deep shot, read the whole way and picked off by Kerby Joseph. Much-needed. Lions ball from the Minnesota 33.
Lions Michael Badgley kicks 37-yard FG, his first FG this season. Lions 10, Vikings 7 with 5:05 left in half.
Badgley 37-yard FG is good to give Lions a 10-7 lead with 5:05 left in half. #DETvsMIN
Vikings flagged for roughing the passer on second-and-26, giving the Lions an automatic first down.
Vikings just bailed the Liosn out of a second-and-26 with a late hit on Goff
7-7 here in Minnesota at the end of the 1st quarter. Lions have 2nd and 7 at their 23-yard line to start 2nd. #DETvsMIN
Detroit's Brian Branch dropped an interception that would've been a huge play before the Vikings' first touchdown, then made a diving interception on a deep pass on fourth down and cost the Lions 25 yards of field position compared to just knocking it down.
Vikings go for it on fourth-and-2 from the Detroit 40. Brian Branch gets the interception this time. Lions ball.
After that sack on Mullens, the Vikings put C.J. Ham out there for a third-and-15 rep of pass protection. Then they go for it on 4th-and-2, but Mullens is intercepted by Lions DB Brian Branch
If you're of the opinion that the Vikings need some help to win this game, the Lions are complying. They've dropped an interception on the goal line and now Jahmyr Gibbs has coughed up a fumble at midfield.
Jahmyr Gibbs fumbles and recovered by Vikings LB Ivan Pace Jr. Vikings ball at Lions 48. #DETvsMIN
Brian Branch's near-interception, followed by Vikings 2-yard TD run by Chandler on next snap. Kick good. LIons 7, Vikings 7 with 2:51 left in first
Given an extra set of downs because of penalty, and the break of a dropped interception, the Vikings tie the game on Ty Chandler's 2-yard run. A lot going on there at the goal line. Vikings 7, Lions 7. 2:51 Q1.
Vikings answer right back with Chandler 2-yard TD run. 7-7 with 2:51 left in 1st quarter. #DETvsMIN
Nick Mullens will throw you a few as a defense. Brian Branch just dropped one there. And then the Vikings score on the very next play.
Lions rookie DB Brian Branch flagged for holding Jefferson on third and goal. He then drops a gift of an interception from Nick Mullens.
Vikings run a ton of play-action passing on early downs. Lions have a lot of trouble with it. Minnesota didn't waste any time attacking that weakness on this opening drive.
Lions come out poised and possessed, chew up half of the first quarter. Perfect mix of Montgomery runs and Goff passes, and a great Jameson run after catch. Lions lead Vikes 7-0.
Lions converted third-and-5 third-and-1 third-and-1 the last of which Montgomery took for a 1-yd touchdown on his eighth carry of the opening possession. An early deficit was not on the road map to a Vikings win.
Couldn't ask for a better opening drive from Jared Goff and the Lions: 14 plays, 80 yards, six first downs and a TD. Took 7:47 off the clock and lead 7-0 over the Vikings.
The Lions chew up 7:47 of the first quarter, converting three third downs and scoring on David Montgomery's 1-yard run. Pretty perfect start if you're a Lions fan. Lions 7, Vikings 0. 7:13 Q1
Badgley adds the extra point. That was a 14-play, 75-yard drive taking up 7:47. Lions lead 7-0 with 7:13 left in 1st quarter. #DETvsMIN
David Montgomery gets the scoring going for the @Lions! 📺: #DETvsMIN on FOX 📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/UIg1XAk0MB https://t.co/AFpZivLEcY
David Montgomery plunges into the end zone to cap off a very impressive opening drive for the Lions. Not ideal for the Vikings.
Montgomery into the end zone for the TD. Hell of a first drive for Lions. #DETvsMIN
Jahmyr Gibbs leads the NFL with 10 rushes of 20+ yards 🤯 https://t.co/Jprb2l8wBd