During the 2024 NFL regular season, the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings faced each other twice, splitting the series 1–1 with both teams dominating the NFC North.
2024 Matchups
Date Location Winner Score Summary
October 20, 2024 (Week 7) U.S. Bank Stadium (Minneapolis, MN) Detroit Lions 31 – 29 Jake Bates hit a game-winning 44-yard field goal with 0:15 remaining after Detroit erased an early 10-0 deficit.
January 5, 2025 (Week 18) Ford Field (Detroit, MI) Detroit Lions 31 – 9 Detroit closed out the regular season with a dominant home win to finish 15–2 atop the division.
Season Standings Summary
Detroit Lions: 15–2 (NFC North Champions)
Minnesota Vikings: 14–3 (2nd in NFC North)
2024 NFC North Final Standings
Team ......Wins Losses Ties
Detroit Lions 14 3 0
Minna Vikings 12 5 0
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This is the season I've been talking about & my criticism of koc.
That October game was the division statement chance that good coaches pull.out the stops and find a way to win. Unremarkable coaches play to "un lose".
If memory serves. The viking defense stopped Detroit. Forced a late punt. The vikings needed at least 1, maybe 2 1st downs.
Playing to unlose- koc called 2 run plays and a 3rd down short pass. Cozier play calling couldna been created by an author detailing how teams come up short.
And the vikings punted back to Detroit. Gave up the winning fg.
In that situation. If you think a pass will be needed. You throw on 2nd down. 3rd & 7? The vikings tried play action. It's too late. Detroit didn't bite.
On that day. Koc told his QB & his offense. He didn't trust them to get it done. And the defense which had expended their juice forcing a late punt. The witnessed the lions steal back the mojo. A momentum less defense trotted out to play prevent and disallow a game winner fg. That's a tall task not many defenses rise to. 2 in a row prevent the game win fg drive.
Then. 6 weeks later. They play Detroit again. Darnold got the blame. But the entire offense looked like theY cared not. And the following WILD CARD game vs the Rams. Darnold AGAIN Hgets the blame. But I think the story was written in October when KOC played for the punt & a prayer instead of rising up and demanding ownership of the "W" & sole possession of 1ST PLACE IN THE NORTH.
Pvnt Fvcker has worn many hats in Viking history. Pretty much every coach except Burnsie. The hat- the crown atop a throne, a motto adorned ribbon saying- Play it cozy and pray we don't lose.
Self fulfilling prophets.
Vikes don't need new players. They need new motto.
