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Lions vs. Vikings live score, updates, highlights from NFL 'Sunday Night Football' game

Lions vs. Vikings live score, updates, highlights from NFL 'Sunday Night Football' game

The NFC North and the NFC’s No. 1 seed will both come down to one game.

On Sunday night, the Lions and Vikings will meet with a first-round playoff bye on the line. Both Detroit and Minnesota enter the final week of the NFL’s regular season at 14-2, coasting through their respective schedules as two talented teams and potential Super Bowl contenders. Now, they’ll go head-to-head with major playoff implications in Week 18.

The Lions enter “Sunday Night Football” continuing to dominant both sides of the ball despite dealing with a long list of injuries this season. Defensively, among the players Detroit has lost are defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, linebacker Alex Anzalone and cornerback Carlton Davis III. Only making things worse, running back David Montgomery also recently went down with an injury. 

Nothing has slowed the Lions down though, as Dan Campbell has his squad running like a well-oiled machine. Jared Goff (4,398 passing yards, 36 touchdowns, 10 interceptions) has had a career year while leaning on his elite weapons, with the Lions’ only two losses coming in Week 2 against Tampa Bay and Week 15 against Buffalo โ€” now, they’ll look to close out the season with the No. 1 seed.

Standing in Detroit’s way, though, is a Minnesota squad that also just keeps on winning. Sam Darnold wasn’t originally the Vikings’ surefire QB1 with rookie J.J. McCarthy in the mix, but McCarthy’s season ended before it started, allowing Darnold to thrived in Minnesota. The former Jet, Panther and 49er has had a career resurgence, throwing for 4,153 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions so far this season with strong weapons like Justin Jefferson, Aaron Jones and T.J. Hockenson at his disposal. The Vikings’ defense also comes into Week 18 first in the NFL in interceptions (22) and tied for third in sacks (47). 

STREAM: Watch Lions vs. Vikings live with Fubo (free trial)

Minnesota’s two losses were actually back-to-back defeats in Weeks 7 and 8, coming against the Lions and Rams. But the Vikings now have an opportunity to get back at Detroit by stealing the NFC North title and top seed in the conference with a “Sunday Night Football” win.

The winner of Sunday’s game claims the NFC’s No. 1 seed and an automatic first-round bye. The loser will fall to the No. 5 seed, meaning it would travel for a first-round playoff matchup. 

The Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights as the Lions and Vikings face off for their division, and the NFC’s No. 1 seed, on “Sunday Night Football. Follow along below for updates. 

Lions vs. Vikings score

  Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 F
Vikings 0 – – – –
Lions 7 – – – –

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Lions vs. Vikings live updates, results, highlights from NFL ‘Sunday Night Football’

(All times ET)

8:56 p.m. โ€” The Vikings punt, marking the first time all season they’ve punted on their first two possessions, per the NBC broadcast. The Lions have a chance to expand on their early advantage.

8:55 p.m. โ€” Detroit keeps its early momentum going, as Za’Darius Smith sacks Sam Darnold for a loss of 17 yards. It’s a huge setback for the Vikings’ offense on its first play of the drive. 

Lions 7, Vikings 0

8:49 p.m. TOUCHDOWN โ€” There goes Jahmyr Gibbs. Just one play after Campbell took a chance on fourth down, Gibbs breaks free for a 25-yard touchdown. The Lions strike first in the battle for the NFC North title.

8:48 p.m. โ€” Of course, Dan Campbell goes for a 4th & 5, and it pays off. Goff gets a quick pass to Jameson Williams, who’s in stride and uses his speed to pick up 14 yards. The Lions are threatening. 

8:45 p.m. โ€” Detroit is on the move, now into Vikings territory. Jared Goff found Amon-Ra St. Brown for 23 yards, then Sam LaPorta for another eight yards. The Lions are looking to take the first lead tonight.

8:43 p.m. โ€” With the official wild-card round schedule being announced … the loser of this Lions vs. Vikings matchup will travel to face the Rams on Monday, Jan. 13. The winner, of course, gets a bye in the first round.

8:36 p.m. โ€” Both defenses force punts to begin this matchup. Catches from T.J. Hockenson and Justin Jefferson, plus a few short gains from Aaron Jones, had the Vikings’ offense moving. But the Lions, with LB Alex Anzalone back in action, get a stop on 3rd & 9.

8:31 p.m. โ€” Minnesota’s defense gets the job done on its first drive. The Vikings get to Gibbs for a loss of seven yards on another third down, forcing the Lions to punt. Here come Sam Darnold and the Minnesota offense.

8:27 p.m. โ€” On an early third down, Detroit converts with a six-yard catch from Jahmyr Gibbs on a nice move. 

8:24 p.m. โ€” The final game of the NFL’s regular season has kicked off. The Lions’ offense will begin with the football. 

8:12 p.m. โ€” Just under 10 minutes from kickoff between these NFC North rivals, with the division on the line. The Lions are rocking their black uniforms tonight.

8:08 p.m. โ€” This game will solidify the NFC playoff bracket. The winner will claim the No. 1 seed, getting a first-round bye. The loser will claim the No. 5 seed, traveling to face the fourth-seeded Rams in the first round.

7:03 p.m. โ€” And the inactives for Minnesota:

6:58 p.m. โ€” Here’s a look at the Lions’ inactives list tonight. As expected, RB David Montgomery remains sidelined.

Lions vs. Vikings start time

  • Date: Sunday, Jan. 5
  • Time: 8:20 p.m. ET

Sunday’s game between the Lions and Vikings will kick off at 8:20 p.m. ET from Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan.

MORE LIONS-VIKINGS NEWS:

How to watch Lions vs. Vikings

  • TV Channel: NBC
  • Streaming: Peacock, Fubo

Lions vs. Vikings will be broadcast nationally on NBC. “Sunday Night Football” can be streamed on Peacock or with Fubo.

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