Lions beat Vikings 19-15 to improve to 5-2
Detroit overcame a shaky start and multiple injuries to defeat division rivals at Ford Field.
By Haruka Ricci ·
The Detroit Lions secured a 19-15 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday at Ford Field. The win moved the Lions' record to 5-2 and avenged two losses to the Vikings in the previous season.
Head coach Dan Campbell entered the game concerned about the Vikings' defensive pressure. He noted that the opponent had the top scoring defense in the NFL. Campbell said the team needed poise and patience to avoid the mistakes that plagued other offenses against that unit.
The Lions' opening drive stalled after a taunting call on Amon-Ra St. Brown. On third down, Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores sent eight rushers, resulting in a sack of quarterback Jared Goff. Goff was sacked three times in the first half.
Detroit opened the scoring with a 25-yard field goal by Jake Bates. A 24-yard touchdown catch by St. Brown was overturned on review. The wide receiver left the game briefly before returning to the sideline.
The Vikings answered with a 74-yard drive led by quarterback Kyler Murray. On the next Detroit possession, Goff threw his first interception of the 2026 season to Vikings cornerback James Pierre. Detroit held Minnesota to a punt on the following drive.
Injuries mounted in the second quarter. Center Cade Mays exited with an ankle injury. Safety Brian Branch and defensive end DJ Wonnum entered concussion protocol. Wonnum was ruled out at halftime. Linebacker Jack Campbell was carted off early in the fourth quarter after a collision with T.J. Hockenson.
The Lions cut the halftime deficit to 7-6 on a 37-yard field goal by Bates. In the third quarter, running back Jahmyr Gibbs ran 30 yards for a touchdown. A failed two-point conversion gave Detroit a 12-7 lead. Rookie linebacker Jimmy Rolder recorded his first career sack on that drive.
Minnesota took the lead in the fourth quarter when Hockenson caught an 8-yard pass from Murray. The Lions responded on a seven-play, 69-yard drive. Jameson Williams caught a 7-yard pass from Goff to win the game. Backup running back Sione Vaki rushed for 65 yards on 11 carries during the final drive.
Source: The Macomb Daily
