Jake Bates kicked a 44-yard field goal with 15 seconds left and the Detroit Lions beat Minnesota 31-29 on Sunday, handing the Vikings their first loss in a back-and-forth game befitting of the NFL's strongest division.
Jahmyr Gibbs rushed for 116 yards and two of Detroit's three second-quarter touchdowns. He also helped Jared Goff guide the Lions 48 yards in four plays to get in range for their rookie kicker while forcing the Vikings to burn their timeouts. Bates is 10 for 10 on field goals this season.
Goff went 22 for 25 for 280 yards with two touchdowns and no turnovers in his third straight game with a 140-plus passer rating, joining Aaron Rodgers (2011), Kurt Warner (1999) and Roger Staubach (1971) as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to accomplish the feat.
Gibbs had 150 total yards to spearhead a commanding performance by the Lions (5-1) at the line of scrimmage against the defense that entered the week with a rushing average per play (3.6) allowed that was the second-best in the league.
Ivan Pace Jr. returned David Montgomery's fumble 35 yards for a touchdown with 5:50 remaining to give the Vikings (5-1) a one-point lead after they trailed 21-10 at halftime, but Sam Darnold's crucial 2-point conversion pass sailed past Justin Jefferson.
The Vikings neared midfield on their last-gasp possession, but they were too far away for their own perfect rookie Will Reichard to attempt a field goal. Darnold was sacked to end the game and give the Lions their fourth consecutive victory over the Vikings for their longest streak in the series since 1961-63.
Aaron Jones rushed for 93 yards and a TD for Minnesota despite being listed as questionable with a hamstring injury. Jefferson had 81 yards receiving and a touchdown, and Reichard made three field goals, including a 57-yarder.
Darnold went 22 for 27 for 259 yards, but he spoiled a promising drive in the second quarter when the Vikings needed to regain some rhythm by ignoring a wide-open Jones in the flat off a play-action fake and forcing a throw to Jordan Addison that was intercepted by a diving Brian Branch.
The Lions played a second quarter for the ages. They had three scoring drives that all covered at least 69 yards on the strength of some shrewd play-calling by offensive coordinator Ben Johnson that rendered the chess moves by Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores moot, as Goff beat blitz after blitz.
Injury report
Lions: RB Montgomery (knee) limped off in the first quarter but returned before halftime. RG Kevin Zeitler (groin) was inactive, and his backup Kayode Awosika was flagged twice for holding and once for a false start in the first quarter. One holding call was declined by the Vikings because they sacked Goff on the play.
Vikings: LB Blake Cashman (toe) was inactive.
Up next
The Lions host the Tennessee Titans next Sunday afternoon.
See a full recap of the game below.
Lions beat Vikings, take top spot in NFC North
The Detroit Lions (5-1) are on top the NFC North division after defeating the Minnesota Vikings (5-1) 31-29 Sunday in Minneapolis.
Jake Bates kicks clutch field goal to put Lions ahead
Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates put through a 44-yard field goal to put the team up 31-29 with 15 seconds left in the game.
Vikings defense scores off Montgomery fumble
The Vikings have retaken the lead after a defensive score off a fumble by Lions running back David Montgomery.
Minnesota failed to convert a 2-point conversion attempt.
The Vikings lead 29-28 with just under six minutes left in the game.
Lions hold Vikings to another field goal in the fourth
Vikings kicker Will Reichard kicked his third field goal of the game with under seven minutes to go in the fourth quarter to bring the score to 28-23 in favor of Detroit.
Vikings kicker makes 42-yard field goal
The Lions lead 28-20 with just over 14 minutes to go in the game following a 42-yard field goal by Vikings kicker Will Reichard.
Lions reclaim lead after passing
After a 21-yard touchdown reception by Kalif Raymond and an extra point from Jake Bates, the Detroit Lions lead the Minnesota Vikings 28-17 with under six minutes left in the third quarter.
Receiver Justin Jefferson scores for Vikings
Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson scored a 25-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter.
The Lions still lead the Vikings 21-17 after the extra point from Will Reichard.
Lions lead Vikings 21-10 at the half
Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs scored his second rushing touchdown of the game with less than a minute left in the second quarter to help put the Lions ahead 21-10.
The Vikings will receive the ball at the start of the second half.
Lions take 14-10 lead after 35-yard touchdown pass
The Lions are now in the lead in the second quarter after a 35-yard pass from Jared Goff to receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Jake Bates kicked the extra point and Detroit is leading 14-10 with just under nine minutes left in the second quarter.
Montgomery returns to the game in second quarter
Lions running back David Montgomery is back in the game.
Montgomery was questionable to return after sustaining a knee injury after a rushing play in the first quarter.
Lions RB Gibbs scores on 45-yard run
The Lions are now on the board thanks to a 45-yard touchdown run from running back Jahmyr Gibbs.
After the extra point from kicker Jake Bates, the Lions trail the Vikings 10-7 with just under 14 minutes left in the second quarter.
Lions RB Montgomery questionable to return with knee injury
Lions running back David Montgomery is questionable to return following a knee injury in the first quarter, the team said.
Montgomery was helped off the field towards the end of the first quarter after a rushing play.
Vikings kick field goal, lead 10-0 over Lions
Vikings kicker Will Reichard kicked a 57-yard field goal with less than six minutes left in the first quarter.
The Lions now trail Minnesota 10-0.
Vikings capitalize off fake punt from Lions, lead 7-0
The Lions failed to get a first down with a fake punt, which led to a quick score by the Vikings.
Two plays after the turnover on downs, Aaron Jones scored a 34-yard rushing touchdown. After a successful extra point by kicker WIll Reichard, Minnesota leads 7-0 with under 12 minutes left in the first quarter.
Lions to lean more on DT McNeill with loss of Hutchinson
With the loss of Aidan Hutchinson, the Detroit Lions need defensive tackle Alim McNeill to deliver now more than ever.
On Wednesday, McNeill agreed to a $97 million, four-year contract extension with the Lions. See more about the deal here.