MINNEAPOLIS – Something had to give Sunday in Minnesota with Detroit's top-ranked scoring offense squaring off against Minnesota's third-ranked scoring defense in an early NFC North showdown between the top two teams in the division.
Detroit's offense stayed hot, but it was kicker Jake Bates who had the biggest moment of his young Lions career connecting on a 44-yard field goal with 15 seconds left to give the Lions a 31-29 come-from-behind win after Detroit gave up the lead late on a costly David Montgomery fumble returned for a touchdown.
Quarterback Jared Goff and the Lions' offense calmly maneuvered their way 44 yards in eight plays to set up Bates with the chance to win it late. Bates is now a perfect 10-for-10 kicking field goals this season.
Minnesota came into the game allowing on average just 15.2 points per game and 67.2 yards rushing. Detroit topped those totals in the first half alone as they led 21-10 at halftime and rushed for 97 yards. Detroit finished the game rushing for 144 yards and had 391 total yards of offense.
Minnesota built an early lead after Detroit tried a fake punt on a 4th & 7 play at their own 34-yard line on their first possession and didn't get it on a Jalen Reeves-Maybin 1-yard run. It took Minnesota just two plays to capitalize with a 34-yard Aaron Jones touchdown run to make 7-0 in the opening minutes of the contest.
Minnesota increased the lead to 10-0 on their next possession on a 57-yard Will Reichard field goal, but then Detroit's offense kicked into gear.
The Lions got on the board early in the second quarter on their third possession of the contest on a 45-yard Jahmyr Gibbs touchdown run off the right side. Gibbs had been so close to breaking a big run in previous weeks but just couldn't make that last man miss. That wasn't the case here as he put an inside move on Vikings safety Camryn Bynum that left him reaching for air. It was the longest run of his young career and his third straight game with a rushing touchdown.
After forcing a punt on Minnesota's next possession, Detroit took their first lead of the contest when Goff found a wide-open Amon-Ra St. Brown streaking down the right seam for a 35-yard score and a 14-10 Lions' lead.
Detroit added to the lead right before the half with Gibbs' second touchdown run of the afternoon, this one from eight yards out. Gibbs finished with 116 rushing yards on just 15 attempts (7.7 avg.).
The Lions opened this game by facing their first double-digit deficit of the season and went into halftime handing Minnesota their first double-digit deficit of the season. The Vikings had trailed for only three minutes and 26 seconds all season coming into the contest.
Minnesota trimmed Detroit's lead to 21-17 on their opening possession of the second half on a 25-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Sam Darnold to wide receiver Justin Jefferson that capped off a nine-play, 80-yard drive.
Detroit responded with their fourth straight touchdown drive finished off with a 21-yard pass from Goff to wide receiver Kalif Raymond to give the Lions a 28-17 lead.
Minnesota chipped closer with 42 and 48-yard field goals in the fourth quarter to trim Detroit's lead to 28-23 with six minutes left.
Trying to milk out the rest of the clock with the lead late, Montgomery had the ball knocked out of his hands by Vikings safety Josh Metellus at the Lions' 35-yard line. It was picked up by linebacker Ivan Pace. Jr. at the Detroit 36-yard line and returned for a touchdown to give the Vikings a 29-28 lead. Minnesota missed the two-point try following the touchdown, which loomed large.
Detroit's defense did their part forcing a late three and out to give the offense a chance at redemption.
Goff then drove the Lions 44 yards on eight plays to set up the Bates game-winner late.
QB Comparison: Goff continues his strong play the last three weeks finishing 22-of-25 passing for 280 yards with two touchdowns, no interceptions and a 140.0 passer rating. He just missed becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to go three straight weeks with a passer rating north of 150.0.
Darnold completed 22 of his 27 passes for 259 yards with one touchdown, one interception and a rating of 103.5. He also rushed for 39 yards on four carries.
Big moment: Second-year defensive back Brian Branch is quickly becoming one the best safeties in football in just his first season at the position after moving over from nickel cornerback this offseason.
The Vikings had a 2nd & 8 at the Detroit 43-yard line with just under six minutes to play in the first half when Darnold tried to fit a ball over Branch and into the arms of wide receiver Jordan Addison at the Lions' 25-yard line. Branch made an incredible leaping interception at the Lions' 28-yard line.
The turnover gave the Lions the ball back up 14-10. Goff and the offense did the rest, going 72 yards in nine plays capped off by Gibbs' second touchdown run and a double-digit lead.
Key stat: 10-for-10
Bates is a perfect 10-for-10 on the season, including the 44-yard game winner Sunday with 15 seconds left.
Injury report: Montgomery was injured on a 3rd & 1 run in the first quarter where he was tackled for no gain. He left for a bit but did return to action in the second quarter.
Up next: vs. Tennessee (1-5), Oct. 27, 1 p.m.
