Vikings vs. Lions live score updates: NFL regular season Week 7

Follow along as the Vikings and Lions battle for the top spot in the NFC on Sunday.

Oct 20, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) warms up before the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. / Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

This is a big one, folks. The 5-0 Vikings and 4-1 Lions are all set to battle for the top spot in the NFC North and the conference as a whole in today's huge rivalry showdown at U.S. Bank Stadium. The hype has been building all week, the teams have their game plans ready, and now it'll come down to who executes better and makes the correct adjustments.

The good news for the Vikings on the injury front is that RB Aaron Jones (hamstring) will play. He was listed as questionable but is going to give it a go after practicing on Thursday and Friday. DT Harrison Phillips and OLB Pat Jones II, who were also questionable, are active as well. The bad news is that the Vikings will be without LB Blake Cashman and won't yet get the season debut of TE T.J. Hockenson.

For the Lions, starting RG Kevin Zeitler is out, so Maple Grove high school alumni Kayode Awosika will get the start in his home state. CB Carlton Davis is active for Detroit. Star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson, who fractured his tibia and fibula last week, is out for the season.

This should be a fascinating game between the top two teams in the NFL in point differential through six weeks. Both groups are star-studded, deep, and well-coached. The Lions are built around an elite offense, but their defense is solid too, even without Hutchinson. The Vikings have been led by the league's most dominant defense, but their offense can be very dangerous when Sam Darnold is playing well. They happen to have the best wide receiver in the league, Justin Jefferson, who has absolutely torched the Lions in his career.

Follow along below for live updates throughout the game.

Final score: Lions 31, Vikings 29

Read the recap here.

Live updates

Fourth quarter

Lions 31, Vikings 29

0:15 — Jake Bates gives the Lions a two-point lead with a late field goal.

Vikings 29, Lions 28

5:50 — Oh my goodness. Josh Metellus just forced a fumble and Ivan Pace Jr. scooped it up and took it to the house to give the Vikings the lead. What a game this has turned out to be. The two-point try was no good, however.

Lions 28, Vikings 23

6:04 — The Vikings have to settle for another field goal after Darnold is sacked on third down. They got a big 51-yard throw from Darnold to Jordan Addison, but now they need another stop.

10:10 — The Vikings finally got a stop, thanks to a Jonathan Greenard sack. They've got the ball back but are deep in their own territory.

Lions 28, Vikings 20

14:24 — The Vikings are back within one score on another Will Reichard field goal, but a sack threw off their drive when they were on the doorstep of the red zone. They desperately need someone on defense to make a play.

Third quarter

Lions 28, Vikings 17

5:43 — The Vikings' defense cannot buy a stop right now. Jared Goff just hit a wide-open Kalif Raymond for a touchdown, the Lions' fourth consecutive TD drive. It's back to a multi-score deficit.

Lions 21, Vikings 17

10:42 — There's a much-needed response from the Vikings. Sam Darnold hits Justin Jefferson for a 25-yard touchdown on third down and Minnesota is right back in the mix.

Second quarter

Lions 21, Vikings 10

0:26 — The Lions won the second quarter 21-0 to take a multi-score lead. Jahmyr Gibbs just ran for another touchdown. Jared Goff is 12 for 12. The Vikings' defense is getting gashed.

5:47 — This has been a rough quarter for the Vikings. Sam Darnold just threw a bad interception to Brian Branch.

Lions 14, Vikings 10

8:39 — For the first time since the opening quarter of the season, the Vikings are losing. A Jared Goff touchdown pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown puts the Lions in front.

Vikings 10, Lions 7

13:42 — The Lions have punched back via a 45-yard Jahmyr Gibbs touchdown run. Let the heavyweight fight get underway.

First quarter

3:58 — The Lions have gone three drives without a first down. They just punted again because their backup RG committed a false start on 4th and 1.

Vikings 10, Lions 0

5:34 — The Vikings extend their lead on a 57-yard bomb from rookie Will Reichard, who still hasn't missed a kick in the NFL. They're off to another great start.

Vikings 7, Lions 0

11:43 — My goodness, what a start for the Vikings. The Lions tried a fake punt in their own territory and got stuffed. Two plays later, Aaron Jones darted 34 yards to the end zone untouched.