Lions secure NFC's No. 1 seed as massive matchup with Vikings turns into rout

Detroit is going to be the No. 1 seed in the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. It's one of the oldest teams in the NFL — operating since 1930 — and has been plagued by poor luck for decades, with just two playoff wins since 1991. Now, after a full season of looking like the best — or one of the handful of the best teams in the league — they look like the team to beat

Minnesota's bid for a division title is going out with a whimper. Sam Darnold looked like an MVP candidate to begin the season. Tonight, the Lions defense has been spectacular. The line on Darnold tonight: 18-of-41, 166 yards, no TD passes, and the Vikings are 3-of-13 on 3rd down and 0-for-3 on 4th down.

Barring a spectacular turnaround, the road to the Super Bowl is going through Detroit in the NFC. Jahmyr Gibbs: 23 carries, 139 yards, three rushing touchdowns, five catches, 31 yards, one receiving touchdown.

It's 31-9 with 5:14 to go in the game.

Forty-seven yards on this run. The Lions are looking the part of the best team in the NFL.

The swarming Lions defense deserves every accolade they're getting tonight. The Vikings have less than 250 yards of total offense.

It's a first down, but the Lions defense is in control. Twelve players on the defense are on IR, but they're completely shutting down the Vikings, who have one of the more explosive passing attacks in the NFL with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.

This third TD might have been the best of the bunch, on a 13-yard run. Two tight ends and a fullback, and the Detroit offense has taken over after Gibbs' 19th touchdown of the season. Lions lead 24-9 with 13:06 to go in the 4th quarter.

Lions receivers are running wide open here in the second half now. St. Brown and Williams have added receptions on the drive into the red zone. The Lions' offense is roaring over their last two drives.

Jahmyr Gibbs has 22 touches for 88 yards and two touchdowns on an already big night, and he's picking up steam as the Lions look to close the deal on the Vikings for the NFC North title and the No. 1 seed.

The red zone failures are looming LARGE for the Vikings, who are in danger of sinking, with the Lions now taking over with excellent field position.

The Lions' linebacker with excellent defense and a pass breakup that was intended for for T.J. Hockensen, and it'll bring up a 4th down.

Goff hits Jahmyr Gibbs on the option route and Gibbs sets a new single-season franchise record for touchdowns with his 18th of the year and the Lions are up 17-9.

Four first downs on this drive for the Lions, who are in the red zone looking to add to their lead. This drive also had a 2nd and 19 that the Lions were able to recover from.

An intentional grounding penalty backed the Vikings up, and they got stuck behind the sticks before getting three after the bad Goff turnover. The Detroit defensive line is still dominating the game, but Minnesota is holding its own on defense as well and chipping away slowly.

More defensive injuries as DB Terrion Arnold was just carted off the sideline and taken to the locker room after eing unable to put any weight on one leg. Also, defensive lineman Pat O'Connor is dealing with a calf injury.

It's an arm punt from Goff, but on first down? The Lions went for broke in sudden change, but this is a terrible turnover by the Lions, and the Vikings will take over at their own 46.

The Vikings have now run 11 plays inside the 5-yard-line and have three points from those three drives. Aaron Glenn and the Lions' defense are putting on a short yardage masterclass in this game.

He made a catch on his first play of the second half to get it to 3rd and Goal at the 2.

Aaron Jones is still in the locker room after halftime and Cam Akers has been in the lineup, and he just made good on his playing time with this huge run to get the Vikings back in the red zone.

The drive stays alive at the 37-yard-line, but the Vikings have not looked sharp at all coming out of the locker room

A big mistake on the kickoff results in a 10-6 Lions lead at halftime. Minnesota's three red zone trips — including seven goal-to-go snaps — have resulted in just six points, while the Lions haven't been able to get into full gear on offense.

The Lions save their timeout and are in Vikings territory at the 41.

Detroit will take over with 20 seconds left and a timeout, and starting from the 40-yard-line.

This time it’s Reichard from 31 yards to cut the Detroit lead to 7-6. There are 20 seconds left in the first half and the Vikings are set to receive the second-half kickoff.

They've only gotten the one field goal, and they could use come points out of this drive.

After a Sam Darnold scramble to make it a 3rd-and more manageable, he found Nailor who slithered into Lions territory — and perhaps field goal range. The gain was 18 to the Detroit 36 at the two-minute warning. The Vikings have all three timeouts.

The teams were largely expected to light up the scoreboard, and while there's still time for both offenses to get going, it's just 7-3 with 4th down stops on both sides here in the first half.

Vikings tipped a pass after the Lions went play action and Jonathan Bullard got the tip. Vikings take over at their own 41.

Will Reichard makes the field goal, but Minnesota has to be thinking it should have more. The Vikings' last seven offensive snaps have come inside the 10-yard-line, and they've protected Sam Darnold against some Lions blitzing, but some plaster man coverage — and couple of high Darnold throws — have saved Detroit, which now leads 7-3 with 6:35 left in the half.

Josh Metellus got the tip and Ivan Pace Jr. snags the pick and the Vikings start a drive with 1st and goal.

Jared Goff nearly sacked in the end zone, but was able to get it in the area of an eligible receiver. Perhaps a questionable call, but Jahmyr Gibbs was in the area. The Lions were able to pick up the 3rd and 5 to at least give themselves some room.

The pass was too tall for Jefferson from Darnold, and Detroit gets a stop. This round of the chess match between Aaron Glenn and Kevin O'Connell goes to the Detroit defensive coordinator.

Lions to take over at their own 3-yard-line with 10:10 to go in the first half.

The Vikings' offensive line has been excellent in the early going, and was great on this play to get Minnesota a first down.

Minnesota quickly cleans up to force a punt, and the Vikings will take over around the 50-yard-line, looking to even up the score early in the second quarter.

That’s a quick three-and-out, and it's looking like the Lions are swarming on defense to close the first quarter with a 7-0 lead.

Minnesota will now have 2nd and 27 in the shadow of their own goal posts.

Great patience by Sonic with his 17th touchdown — tying the single-season Lions record — and the Lions are on the board first with a 7-0 lead.

Jared Goff stands in against a 0-blitz and Jameson Williams marches Detroit to the 25.

A catch and run of 23 yards to get Detroit on the move on its second drive has the Lions across midfield for the first time.

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The Vikings and Lions trade punts on their first drives. Minnesota had a false start on a 2nd and 4 that backed them up and hurt the momentum of the drive, and after a return to the 22, the Lions' offense will have a second crack at it.

The first-year Viking make the play on a 3rd down to move the sticks for the second first down of their opening drive.

The Vikings entered Week 18 12th in total offense and 9th in scoring offense. They're likely to need to put some points up to keep up with the Lions, who come into Week 18 leading the NFL in scoring at 33.3 points per game.

This second one was a 3rd and 8 and Jonathan Greenard wasn't fooled by a draw play and wrapped up Gibbs in the backfield for a loss forcing the punt. Vikings take over just short of their own 15.

After motioning out of the backfield, he beats Blake Cashman in man coverage and spins away for a first down after getting to a quick third down on the opening series.