Lions–Vikings rivalry
Lions-Vikings rivalry |
Location | Detroit, Minneapolis |
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First meeting | November 19, 1961 Lions 37, Vikings 10 |
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Latest meeting | January 7, 2024 Lions 30, Vikings 20 |
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Next meeting | October 20, 2024 |
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Stadiums | Lions: Ford Field Vikings: U.S. Bank Stadium |
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Meetings total | 125 |
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All-time series | Vikings: 80-43-2 |
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Largest victory | Lions: 45-7 (1981) Vikings: 34-0 (1980) |
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Longest win streak | Lions: 5 (1961-1963) Vikings: 13 (1968-1974) |
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Current win streak | Lions: 3 (2022-present) |
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Super Bowl Championships (0)
Super Bowl Appearances (4)
NFL championships (pre-1970 AFL–NFL merger) (5)
NFL Championships appearances (pre-1970 AFL–NFL merger) (6)
Division Championships (26)
- Lions - 5
- Vikings - 21
- NFL Central (2): 1968, 1969
- NFC Central (14): 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1989, 1992, 1994, 1998, 2000
- NFC North (5): 2008, 2009, 2015, 2017, 2022
Wild Card Berths (13)
- Lions (8) - 1970, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2011, 2014, 2016
- Vikings (9) - 1987, 1988, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2012, 2019
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The Lions–Vikings rivalry is an American football rivalry between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings. It is the most lopsided divisional rivalry in the NFC based on winning percentage.
The Lions and Vikings have played twice annually since the Vikings entered the league's Western Conference in 1961. The two teams moved to the NFC Central after the AFL-NFL merger in 1970, which became the NFC North after the NFL's 2002 realignment. This is the only NFC North rivalry without any head-to-head postseason meetings. Both teams play in indoor stadiums, and both are known for their bad luck.
Since the rivalry's establishment with the Vikings joining the NFL in 1961, Minnesota has largely dominated the series. The most lopsided decades were in the 1970s and 2000s, with the Vikings going 35–5 against the Lions in those two decades. The Vikings lead the series 80–43–2 as of 2023.
2000s: Vikings Dominate the Rivalry
In the 2000s, the Vikings had a commanding 18–2 record against the Lions.
2020s: Lions and Vikings compete for playoffs
In the 2021 offseason, the Lions decided to trade QB Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for QB Jared Goff, a 2021 third-round pick and two first-round picks in 2022 and 2023.
In the 2021 season, the Lions and Vikings experienced slow starts before their encounter in Minneapolis on October 10. Going into the 4th quarter, the Vikings held a 13–6 lead. K Greg Joseph added to the Vikings' score by making another field goal, increasing their lead to 16–6. A failed 4th down attempt by the Lions allowed the Vikings to gain possession on Detroit's 34-yard line. Despite having successfully converted 3 field goals earlier, Joseph missed the 49-yard field goal. The Lions quickly responded by converting a field goal, making it 16–9. The Vikings encountered misfortune as RB Alexander Mattison fumbled the ball, allowing LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin to recover it at Minnesota's 20-yard line with less than 2 minutes remaining. RB D'Andre Swift capitalized on the turnover by scoring a touchdown. Instead of playing it safe and aiming for overtime, HC Dan Campbell decided to go for a two-point conversion. Goff's pass to WR KhaDarel Hodge successfully put the Lions ahead at 17–16. The Vikings got the ball back with 33 seconds left. QB Kirk Cousins completed two deep passes to WR Adam Thielen for 40 yards and one pass to WR Dede Westbrook for 6 yards to set up a 54-yard game-winning field goal try with 3 seconds left. Joseph redeemed himself by successfully making the kick, securing a thrilling 19–17 victory for the Vikings. This win also marked the eighth consecutive victory for the Vikings over the Lions. After suffering consecutive defeats on game-winning field goals (the first one against the Baltimore Ravens), Dan Campbell was visibly emotional during the post-game press conference. He expressed, "When you see your players give all that they have and you lose that way, it's tough. You know, you don't want that for them."
The Lions were still on the hunt for their first win of the season when they clashed again in Detroit on December 5. With a standing of 0–10–1, their most recent victory dated back to December 6, 2020, against the Chicago Bears, slightly over a year ago. The Vikings took a 6–0 lead in the 1st quarter, but the Lions swiftly turned the tables by scoring 20 consecutive points, resulting in a 20–6 lead for them at halftime. The Vikings trimmed the lead to 23–21 by the start of the 4th quarter. With hopes of closing out the game, the Lions took a risk by going for it on 4th-and-one from their own 28-yard line. However, Goff was sacked by LB Blake Lynch and fumbled the ball, which Lynch promptly recovered. The Vikings took advantage of this turnover, with Cousins connecting with WR Justin Jefferson for a touchdown, giving them a 27–23 lead with only 1:50 left on the clock. Without any timeouts, Goff engineered a 75-yard drive into Minnesota territory. In the final play with just 4 seconds left, Goff connected with WR Amon-Ra St. Brown for an 11-yard touchdown pass, securing a 29-27 Lions victory. The Lions not only ended an eight-game losing streak against the Vikings but also celebrated their first win in 364 days.
Game results
Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings season-by-season results
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1960s (Lions, 9–7–2)
Season |
Season series |
at Detroit Lions |
at Minnesota Vikings |
Overall series |
Notes
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1961
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Lions 2–0
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Lions 13–7
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Lions 37–10
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Lions 2–0
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Vikings join NFL as an expansion team.
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1962
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Lions 2–0
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Lions 37–23
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Lions 17–6
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Lions 4–0
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1963
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Tie 1–1
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Lions 28–10
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Vikings 34–31
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Lions 5–1
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1964
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Lions 1–0–1
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Tie 23–23
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Lions 24–20
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Lions 6–1–1
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1965
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Tie 1–1
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Vikings 29–7
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Lions 31–29
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Lions 7–2–1
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1966
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Tie 1–1
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Vikings 28–16
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Lions 32–31
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Lions 8–3–1
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1967
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Lions 1–0–1
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Lions 14–3
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Tie 10–10
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Lions 9–3–2
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1968
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Vikings 2–0
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Vikings 13–6
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Vikings 24–10
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Lions 9–5–2
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1969
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Vikings 2–0
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Vikings 27–0
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Vikings 24–10
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Lions 9–7–2
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Detroit meeting took place on Thanksgiving. Vikings win 1969 NFL Championship, lose Super Bowl IV.
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1970s (Vikings, 17–3)
Season |
Season series |
at Detroit Lions |
at Minnesota Vikings |
Overall series |
Notes
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1970
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Vikings 2–0
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Vikings 30–17
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Vikings 24–20
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Tie 9–9–2
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Both teams placed in the NFC Central after AFL-NFL merger.
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1971
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Vikings 2–0
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Vikings 16–13
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Vikings 29–10
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Vikings 11–9–2
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Vikings take first series lead in the rivalry, a lead that has yet to be relinquished since.
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1972
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Vikings 2–0
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Vikings 34–10
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Vikings 16–13
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Vikings 13–9–2
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1973
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Vikings 2–0
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Vikings 23–9
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Vikings 28–7
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Vikings 15–9–2
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Vikings lose Super Bowl VIII.
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1974
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Tie 1–1
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Vikings 7–6
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Lions 20–16
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Vikings 16–10–2
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Vikings win 13 straight meetings (1968–74). Lions win in Bloomington came as the Lions intercepted a pass in the end zone on the game's final play. Vikings lose Super Bowl IX.
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1975
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Tie 1–1
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Lions 17–10
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Vikings 25–19
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Vikings 17–11–2
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Lions open Pontiac Silverdome.
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1976
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Vikings 2–0
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Vikings 10–9
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Vikings 31–23
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Vikings 19–11–2
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Vikings lose Super Bowl XI.
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1977
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Vikings 2–0
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Vikings 30–21
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Vikings 14–7
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Vikings 21–11–2
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1978
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Tie 1–1
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Lions 45–14
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Vikings 17–7
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Vikings 22–12–2
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1979
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Vikings 2–0
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Vikings 13–10
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Vikings 14–7
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Vikings 24–12–2
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1980s (Vikings, 13–6)
Season |
Season series |
at Detroit Lions |
at Minnesota Vikings |
Overall series |
Notes
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1980
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Tie 1–1
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Lions 27–7
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Vikings 34–0
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Vikings 25–13–2
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1981
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Tie 1–1
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Lions 45–7
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Vikings 26–24
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Vikings 26–14–2
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1982
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Vikings 1–0
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Vikings 34–31
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no game
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Vikings 27–14–2
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Game in Minneapolis cancelled due to players strike reducing the season to 9 games. Vikings move to Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.
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1983
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Tie 1–1
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Lions 13–2
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Vikings 20–17
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Vikings 28–15–2
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Vikings win 7 straight home meetings (1976–83)
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1984
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Tie 1–1
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Vikings 29–28
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Lions 16–14
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Vikings 29–16–2
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1985
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Tie 1–1
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Lions 41–21
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Vikings 16–13
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Vikings 30–17–2
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1986
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Tie 1–1
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Vikings 24–10
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Lions 13–10
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Vikings 31–18–2
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1987
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Vikings 2–0
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Vikings 17–14
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Vikings 34–19
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Vikings 33–18–2
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1988
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Vikings 2–0
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Vikings 23–0
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Vikings 44–17
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Vikings 35–18–2
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Game in Pontiac took place on Thanksgiving.
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1989
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Vikings 2–0
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Vikings 20–7
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Vikings 24–17
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Vikings 37–18–2
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Vikings win 7 straight meetings (1986–89).
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1990s (Tied, 10–10)
Season |
Season series |
at Detroit Lions |
at Minnesota Vikings |
Overall series |
Notes
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1990
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Tie 1–1
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Vikings 17–7
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Lions 34–27
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Vikings 38–19–2
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1991
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Lions 2–0
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Lions 10–6
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Lions 34–14
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Vikings 38–21–2
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Lions' first season sweep since 1962. Barry Sanders rushed for 220 yards and four touchdowns in the game in Minneapolis, which was the first game for the Lions after guard Mike Utley suffered a broken neck one week earlier.
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1992
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Tie 1–1
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Lions 31–17
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Vikings 31–14
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Vikings 39–22–2
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1993
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Tie 1–1
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Vikings 13–0
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Lions 30–27
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Vikings 40–23–2
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1994
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Tie 1–1
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Lions 41–19
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Vikings 10–3
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Vikings 41–24–2
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1995
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Tie 1–1
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Lions 44–38
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Vikings 20–10
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Vikings 42–25–2
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Lions' 44–38 win is the highest scoring game in the rivalry's history (82 points). Game in Pontiac took place on Thanksgiving.
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1996
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Vikings 2–0
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Vikings 24–22
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Vikings 17–13
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Vikings 44–25–2
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1997
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Lions 2–0
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Lions 38–15
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Lions 14–13
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Vikings 44–27–2
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1998
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Vikings 2–0
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Vikings 34–13
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Vikings 29–6
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Vikings 46–27–2
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1999
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Tie 1–1
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Lions 25–23
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Vikings 24–17
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Vikings 47–28–2
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The meeting in Minnesota assured the winner would host their first playoff game, a Lions' victory in this game would've resulted in a rematch the following week in the wild-card round in Detroit.
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2000s (Vikings, 18–2)
Season |
Season series |
at Detroit Lions |
at Minnesota Vikings |
Overall series |
Notes
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2000
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Vikings 2–0
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Vikings 31–24
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Vikings 24–17
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Vikings 49–28–2
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Vikings' WR Randy Moss has 168 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns in the game in Detroit.
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2001
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Tie 1–1
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Lions 27–24
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Vikings 31–26
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Vikings 50–29–2
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2002
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Vikings 2–0
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Vikings 38–36
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Vikings 27–23
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Vikings 52–29–2
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Lions open Ford Field.
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2003
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Vikings 2–0
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Vikings 23–13
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Vikings 24–14
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Vikings 54–29–2
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2004
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Vikings 2–0
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Vikings 28–27
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Vikings 22–19
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Vikings 56–29–2
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2005
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Vikings 2–0
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Vikings 21–16
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Vikings 27–14
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Vikings 58–29–2
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2006
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Vikings 2–0
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Vikings 30–20
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Vikings 26–17
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Vikings 60–29–2
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Vikings win 10 straight meetings (2002–06).
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2007
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Tie 1–1
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Lions 20–17
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Vikings 42–10
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Vikings 61–30–2
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2008
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Vikings 2–0
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Vikings 20–16
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Vikings 12–10
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Vikings 63–30–2
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Lions' QB Dan Orlovsky infamously runs out of the back of his own end zone for a safety in the game in Minneapolis. Lions complete first 0–16 season in NFL history.
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2009
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Vikings 2–0
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Vikings 27–13
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Vikings 27–10
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Vikings 65–30–2
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2010s (Vikings, 11–9)
Season |
Season series |
at Detroit Lions |
at Minnesota Vikings |
Overall series |
Notes
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2010
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Tie 1–1
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Lions 20–13
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Vikings 24–10
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Vikings 66–31–2
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Vikings win 13 straight home meetings.
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2011
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Lions 2–0
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Lions 34–28
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Lions 26–23(OT)
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Vikings 66–33–2
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Lions win in Minneapolis (and sweep the season series) for first time since 1997.
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2012
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Vikings 2–0
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Vikings 20–13
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Vikings 34–24
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Vikings 68–33–2
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2013
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Tie 1–1
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Lions 34–24
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Vikings 14–13
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Vikings 69–34–2
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Game in Minneapolis was the final game played at the Metrodome.
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2014
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Lions 2–0
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Lions 16–14
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Lions 17–3
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Vikings 69–36–2
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Vikings move to TCF Bank Stadium.
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2015
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Vikings 2–0
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Vikings 28–19
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Vikings 26–16
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Vikings 71–36–2
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2016
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Lions 2–0
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Lions 16–13
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Lions 22–16(OT)
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Vikings 71–38–2
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Vikings open U.S. Bank Stadium. Detroit meeting took place on Thanksgiving.
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2017
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Tie 1–1
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Vikings 30–23
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Lions 14–7
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Vikings 72–39–2
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First time since 1993 that the away team won both meetings. Detroit meeting took place on Thanksgiving.
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2018
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Vikings 2–0
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Vikings 27–9
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Vikings 24–9
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Vikings 74–39–2
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2019
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Vikings 2–0
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Vikings 42–30
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Vikings 20–7
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Vikings 76–39–2
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2020s (Tied, 4–4)
Season |
Season series |
at Detroit Lions |
at Minnesota Vikings |
Overall series |
Notes
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2020
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Vikings 2–0
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Vikings 37–35
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Vikings 34–20
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Vikings 78–39–2
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2021
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Tie 1–1
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Lions 29–27
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Vikings 19–17
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Vikings 79–40–2
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In Minneapolis, Vikings win on a game-winning field goal to 8 straight meetings (2017–21). In Detroit, Lions win on a last minute touchdown for their first win in over a year.
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2022
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Tie 1–1
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Lions 34–23
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Vikings 28–24
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Vikings 80–41–2
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2023
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Lions 2–0
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Lions 30–20
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Lions 30–24
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Vikings 80–43–2
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Detroit clinches NFC North title for the first time since 1993 with win at Minneapolis.
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Summary of results
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See also
References
- ^ Sanders, Charlie; Paladino, Larry (2005). Charlie Sanders's Tales from the Detroit Lions. Sports Publishing LLC. ISBN 9781582619101.
- ^ Glover, Ted (2018-12-21). "A brief look at Vikings/Lions history". Daily Norseman. SB Nation. Retrieved 2019-12-24.
- ^ Jackson, Stu (March 18, 2021). "Rams trade Jared Goff, future draft picks to Lions for Matthew Stafford". TheRams.com. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ Reisman, Jeremy (October 10, 2021). "Detroit Lions' unbelievable comeback spoiled, lose 19-17 to Vikings". PrideofDetroit.com. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ Polacek, Scott (October 10, 2021). "Lions' Dan Campbell Gives Emotional Press Conference After Last-Second Vikings Loss". BleacherReport.com. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ Birkett, Dave (October 10, 2021). "Déjà vu for emotional Dan Campbell as Detroit Lions lose on another improbable kick, 19-17". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ "Winless no more: Lions top Vikes 29-27 for 1st W in Week 13". ESPN. December 5, 2021. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
External links
Further reading
- Gordon, Dick (October 2, 1968). "Ex-Lion Hall Awaits 11th Game of Rivalry". The Minneapolis Star. Retrieved February 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Lions and Vikings Renew Bruising Gridiron Rivalry". The Central New Jersey Home News. September 23, 1972. Retrieved February 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- Sylvester, Curt (September 29, 1979). "Vikings, Lions meet—old fire gone". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved February 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- Sylvester, Curt (September 20, 1981). "Playing for blood: Lions–Vikings rivalry shows signs of heating up". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved February 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Lions get chance". Lansing State Journal. December 14, 1981. Retrieved February 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- Goessling, Ben (November 24, 2016). "The hottest NFC North rivalry of 2016? Vikings-Lions? Believe it". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
Detroit Lions |
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Franchise |
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Records |
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Stadiums |
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Culture |
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Lore |
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Rivalries |
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Division championships (9) |
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League championships (4) |
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Current league affiliations |
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Minnesota Vikings |
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Division championships (21) |
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Retired numbers |
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Current league affiliations |
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