LIVE BLOG: Follow Lions' Week 16 Matchup Against Vikings
History awaits for the Detroit Lions if they can knock off the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
A win will mean the team's first division title since 1993. However, the Vikings are still in contention and won't go down quietly. The Vikings are the reigning NFC North champions and are looking to remain in the playoff mix.
Under the leadership of Brian Flores, the Vikings defense has been surging in recent weeks. Currently, the unit ranks fifth in run defense while also boasting an explosive pass rush led by Danielle Hunter, who has 15 1/2 sacks.
Flores' experience and prowess as a defensive play-caller makes life difficult for opposing quarterbacks. Jared Goff has struggled in his meetings with Flores, going 0-2 in two career meetings, one of which was in the Super Bowl while Flores was with the Patriots.
“They’ve given a lot of quarterbacks trouble with the nature of how they play defense and what he calls and how they disguise,” Campbell said. “Between max coverage, max pressure, a look that — one look can give you three different things. That’s what they do well. So, certainly, having an answer for those things is one. Two is Goff’s not the same player he was then, either. I mean, he’s just not. So, doesn’t mean he’s going to be perfect, but he’s different. He’s a different quarterback. He’s got answers, he’s going to have answers for this game and he looks comfortable."
Follow along all throughout Sunday's game for live updates from the Lions-Vikings matchup.
4:16 p.m. -- FINAL: Lions 30, Vikings 24. The Lions have won the NFC North for the first time since 1993.
4:15 p.m. -- Ifeatu Melifonwu intercepts Nick Mullens' pass. The Lions take over with :49 second left.
4:14 p.m. -- Nick Mullens connects with Justin Jefferson for a 27-yard gain to convert the third-and-long.
4:13 p.m. -- Romeo Okwara forces a fumble. The Vikings recover but now face a third-and-27.
4:09 p.m. -- Two-minute warning. The Vikings have a first-and-10 from their own 33-yard line.
4:07 p.m. -- The Lions are forced to punt after their drive stalls. The Vikings have the ball at their own 11-yard line with no timeouts and 2:23 remaining.
3:59 p.m. -- An illegal contact penalty against the Vikings keeps the Lions drive alive.
3:57 p.m. -- Lions safety Kerby Joseph is in concussion protocol.
3:53 p.m. -- Greg Joseph hits a 26-yard field goal. The Lions lead the Vikings, 30-24, with 5:19 remaining in the game.
3:41 p.m. -- The Lions are unable to capitalize on the turnover and are forced to punt. Minnesota takes over at its own 16-yard line with 7:31 remaining.
3:36 p.m. -- Kerby Joseph picks off Nick Mullens for the second time today. The Lions take over at their own 35-yard line with 9:52 remaining.
3:30 p.m. -- Jahmyr Gibbs runs three yards for a touchdown. The Lions lead the Vikings, 30-21, with 11:07 remaining in the game.
3:19 p.m. -- END Q3: Lions 23, Vikings 21.
3:12 p.m. -- The Lions force a punt, as Vikings fullback C.J. Ham is tackled short of the line to gain on third down. Detroit takes over at its own 17-yard line.
3:09 p.m. -- Josh Paschal is questionable to return with a hand injury.
3:05 p.m. -- Jared Goff hits Amon-Ra St. Brown for a 1-yard touchdown. The extra point is blocked, so the Lions lead the Vikings 23-21 with 4:38 remaining in the third quarter.
3:04 p.m. -- Jared Goff converts a fourth-and-1 with a two-yard run. He gives the Lions a first-and-goal.
3:01 p.m. -- Jahmyr Gibbs converts a fourth-and-1 with an 18-yard run.
2:58 p.m. -- Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson has been ruled out with a knee injury.
2:55 p.m. -- Lions' defensive lineman Josh Paschal is being carted to the locker room.
2:50 p.m. -- Nick Mullens hits K.J. Osborn for a 6-yard touchdown. The Vikings lead the Lions, 21-17, with 11:56 remaining in the third quarter.
2:47 p.m. -- The Vikings will get the ball first in the second half.
2:34 p.m. -- END Q2: Lions 17, Vikings 14.
2:29 p.m. -- Nick Mullens hits Justin Jefferson for a 26-yard touchdown. The Lions lead the Vikings 17-14 with :29 remaining in the first half.
2:20 p.m. -- Jahmyr Gibbs runs 14 yards for a touchdown. Michael Badgley hits the extra point, and the Lions lead the Vikings 17-7 with 1:48 remaining in the first half.
2:15 p.m. -- At the two-minute warning, the Lions have a 10-7 lead and the ball at Minnesota's 20-yard line.
2:13 p.m. -- Kerby Joseph intercepts Nick Mullens' pass, returning it 22 yards to Minnesota's 33-yard line.
2:09 p.m. -- Kindle Vildor is called for illegal contact, negating a sack by Alex Anzalone.
2:05 p.m. -- Michael Badgley converts a 37-yard field goal to give the Lions a 10-7 lead with 5:05 remaining in the first half.
2:03 p.m. -- After review, the fumble is overturned to an incomplete pass. The Lions have a fourth-and-6 from Minnesota's 18-yard line.
2:02 p.m. -- Jared Goff is sacked and fumbles the ball. Minnesota's Cam Bynum recovers and returns it for a score. The play is under review.
2:01 p.m. -- The Lions use their first time out prior to a third-and-6 from Minnesota's 18-yard line.
1:55 p.m. -- Pat Jones is called for roughing the passer, giving the Lions a first-and-10 at Minnesota's 46-yard line.
1:48 p.m. -- The Vikings are forced to punt after going three-and-out. Brian Branch brought pressure on third down, forcing an incompletion. The Lions take over at their own 22-yard line.
1:42 p.m. -- The Lions are unable to capitalize on the takeaway, as Minnesota forces a three-and-out.
1:38 p.m. -- END Q1: Lions 7, Vikings 7.
1:37 p.m. -- Brian Branch intercepts Nick Mullens' pass on fourth-and-3. The Lions take over on their own 20-yard line with :16 remaining in the first quarter.
1:36 p.m. -- Ifeatu Melifonwu sacks Nick Mullens and forces a fumble, recovered by John Cominsky. The call is overturned, however, giving the Vikings the ball back.
1:31 p.m. -- Jahmyr Gibbs fumbles, recovered by Minnesota's Ivan Pace. The Vikings take over at the Lions' 48-yard line.
1:25 p.m. -- Ty Chandler runs for a 2-yard touchdown. The Vikings tie the game, 7-7, with 2:51 remaining.
1:24 p.m. -- Brian Branch is called for defensive holding, negating a third-down incompletion, giving Minnesota a first-and-goal.
1:14 p.m. -- David Montgomery scores a 1-yard touchdown, capping off a 14-play, 75-yard drive lasting 7:47. Michael Badgley makes the extra point and the Lions lead the Vikings, 7-0.
1:10 p.m. -- The Lions are in the red zone, as they have converted each of their third down attempts on their opening drive. Currently, they have a first-and-10 at Minnesota's 16-yard line.
1:01 p.m. -- The Lions won the toss and will take the football first.
