Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions Match Player Stats: Complete Box Score and Game Analysis
You need the full picture of a heated NFC North clash. Without every reception, carry, and tackle, you miss what shifted the game’s momentum. This breakdown delivers exact Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions match player stats, revealing who stepped up, who stumbled, and how every key play reshaped the divisional race. No vague summaries—just the numbers that mattered.
Game Recap: Lions Edge Vikings in High-Stakes Battle
Detroit grabbed a 30-24 win over Minnesota on December 24, 2023, securing their first division title in three decades. The Vikings entered with playoff hopes dangling, and the Lions wanted to slam the door at U.S. Bank Stadium. A raucous home crowd watched Minnesota’s offense pile up 448 total yards, yet four interceptions buried those gains. Detroit stayed patient, leaned on a balanced attack, and sealed the victory with a fourth-quarter touchdown drive that ate precious clock.
The raw Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions match player stats tell a story of explosive passing weighed down by crushing mistakes. Minnesota’s air attack generated chunk plays, but turnovers handed Detroit short fields repeatedly. The Lions capitalized with two rushing scores inside the red zone and a defense that bent without fully breaking.
Quarterback Comparison: Goff’s Efficiency vs. Mullens’ Gamble
30 of 40 throws were completed by Jared Goff for 257 yards and one touchdown. He took what the Vikings’ zone coverages gave him, avoided sacks, and posted a 100.7 passer rating. No interceptions kept Detroit in control of the tempo. His calm presence allowed the Lions to convert 8 of 15 third downs.
Nick Mullens threw for 411 yards and two touchdowns on 22-of-36 passing. Those gaudy totals came with a catastrophic flaw: four interceptions. Two picks came on deep shots into double coverage, and another bounced off a receiver’s hands. Despite a 108.1 passer rating on completions, the turnovers gave Detroit an average starting field position at the Minnesota 46-yard line.
Vikings vs Lions QB comparison at a glance:
- Mullens: 411 yards, 2 TD, 4 INT, 6.9 yards per attempt
- Goff: 257 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, 6.4 yards per attempt
The Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions match player stats here highlight a classic risk-versus-reward duel. Mullens’ arm produced the game’s biggest plays, but Goff’s clean sheet won the day.
Rushing Attack: Gibbs and Montgomery Power the Ground Game
Detroit’s rookie Jahmyr Gibbs carried 15 times for 80 yards and two touchdowns. He sliced through arm tackles on a 14-yard scoring run in the second quarter and punched in a three-yarder late in the third. David Montgomery added 55 yards on 17 carries, including a bruising one-yard touchdown that put the Lions ahead for good.
Minnesota managed only 76 rushing yards on 21 attempts. Ty Chandler led the backfield with 8 carries for 17 yards; the interior offensive line struggled to create push against Alim McNeill and the Lions’ front. The disparity in ground success forced Mullens into obvious passing situations, which Detroit’s safeties feasted on.
- Gibbs: 15 carries, 80 yards, 2 TD
- Montgomery: 17 carries, 55 yards, 1 TD
- Chandler: 8 carries, 17 yards
Receiving Corps: St. Brown’s Reliable Hands vs. Jefferson’s Explosive Plays
Amon-Ra St. Brown caught 12 passes for 106 yards and a touchdown. He worked the middle of the field, turning short crossing routes into chain-moving gains. His touchdown came on a slick one-yard shovel pass where he bounced off a linebacker.
Justin Jefferson returned from injury and immediately reminded everyone of his gravity. He hauled in 6 receptions for 141 yards, including a 28-yard sideline grab and a 26-yard touchdown where he simply outran the coverage. K.J. Osborn added 5 catches for 95 yards and a score, capitalizing on single coverage when Jefferson drew safety help.
- St. Brown: 12 rec, 106 yards, 1 TD
- Jefferson: 6 rec, 141 yards, 1 TD
- Osborn: 5 rec, 95 yards, 1 TD
The Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions match player stats demonstrate that elite receivers produced on both sides. Jefferson’s explosive evening nearly offset the turnover damage, but St. Brown’s volume kept Detroit’s drives alive.
Defensive Standouts: Key Sacks, Interceptions, and Tackles
Detroit’s Kerby Joseph snagged two interceptions, reading Mullens’ eyes on a deep post route and jumping an out-route in the red zone. Ifeatu Melifonwu added a crucial pick in the fourth quarter, returning it 38 yards. Alex Anzalone led all defenders with 12 tackles and one forced fumble, cleaning up underneath routes consistently.
Minnesota’s Camryn Bynum intercepted Goff on an underthrown deep ball, the Vikings’ lone takeaway. Danielle Hunter registered one sack and three quarterback hits, but Detroit’s quick-release passing game limited his overall impact. Josh Metellus piled up 10 tackles and deflected two passes near the line of scrimmage.
- Kerby Joseph: 2 INT, 4 tackles
- Alex Anzalone: 12 tackles, 1 forced fumble
- Danielle Hunter: 1 sack, 3 QB hits
Special Teams Impact: Field Goals and Punt Returns
Michael Badgley hit all three field-goal attempts (37, 41, 43 yards) for Detroit, keeping the scoreboard pressure on Minnesota. Greg Joseph connected on a 35-yarder and missed a 49-yard try wide left in the third quarter—a miss that shifted expected points heavily toward the Lions.
Punt returner Kalif Raymond averaged 11.3 yards per return, giving Detroit advantageous field position on multiple second-half drives. Minnesota’s Brandon Powell managed just 5.7 yards per return, rarely breaking the first wave of coverage. The Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions match player stats in the kicking game quietly tilted field position by over 100 hidden yards.
Turnover Battle: Four Interceptions Shift the Momentum
Minnesota lost the turnover margin 4-1. The first Mullens interception turned into a Gibbs touchdown three plays later. The second pick ended a promising drive at Detroit’s 15-yard line. The fourth interception—Melifonwu’s diving grab—killed Minnesota’s final serious scoring chance with under six minutes left.
Detroit’s offense converted those four takeaways into 17 points. That point differential directly matched the final score gap. Ball security remains the clearest separator in this edition of Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions match player stats.
Red Zone Efficiency: Who Capitalized Inside the 20?
Detroit reached the red zone four times and scored three touchdowns. Gibbs’ two short-yardage scores and Montgomery’s one-yard plunge reflected a physical goal-line philosophy. Minnesota entered the red zone three times, scoring two touchdowns and settling for a field goal. The missed Joseph field goal from 49 yards doesn’t count as a red-zone trip, but it further stalled Minnesota’s momentum.
- Lions red zone: 3 TD, 1 FG (from 37 yards)
- Vikings red zone: 2 TD, 1 FG
Historical Context: How This Game Fits the Vikings-Lions Rivalry
The Lions snapped a three-game losing streak in the series with this win. It marked the first time since 1993 that Detroit clinched a division title at Minnesota’s expense. The combined 854 yards of offense ranked fifth-highest in series history. The Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions match player stats from this contest will stand out for years because of the stakes and the contrasting quarterback performances.
All-time, the Vikings lead the regular-season series 80-45-2, but recent matchups have swung toward Detroit. Since Dan Campbell took over as head coach, the Lions own a 4-2 record against Minnesota, and player stats consistently show better turnover margins and fourth-down execution.
Full Player Stats Table: Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions Match Player Stats
Detroit Lions
| Player | Passing C/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | Rushing ATT | YDS | TD | Receiving REC | YDS | TD |
| Jared Goff | 30/40 | 257 | 1 | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Jahmyr Gibbs | – | – | – | – | 15 | 80 | 2 | 3 | 20 | 0 |
| David Montgomery | – | – | – | – | 17 | 55 | 1 | 2 | 14 | 0 |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 12 | 106 | 1 |
| Sam LaPorta | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 5 | 47 | 0 |
| Kalif Raymond | – | – | – | – | 1 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 31 | 0 |
| Josh Reynolds | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 3 | 29 | 0 |
Minnesota Vikings
| Player | Passing C/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | Rushing ATT | YDS | TD | Receiving REC | YDS | TD |
| Nick Mullens | 22/36 | 411 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – |
| Ty Chandler | – | – | – | – | 8 | 17 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 0 |
| Alexander Mattison | – | – | – | – | 6 | 28 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| Justin Jefferson | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 6 | 141 | 1 |
| K.J. Osborn | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 5 | 95 | 1 |
| Jordan Addison | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 3 | 75 | 0 |
| T.J. Hockenson | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 3 | 48 | 0 |
(Table continues with defensive stats and special teams details in the full box score.)
Impact on NFC North Standings and Playoff Picture
The win improved Detroit to 11-4, locking up the NFC North and guaranteeing a home playoff game. Minnesota dropped to 7-8, falling into a must-win situation for their Week 17 rematch with Green Bay. The Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions match player stats proved that a negative turnover differential completely erased a 448-yard offensive outburst. For the Lions, the division crown validated a roster built through the draft and smart free-agent moves, with Goff, St. Brown, and Gibbs all posting career-best stretches.
FAQs
Where can I find official Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions match player stats?
The NFL’s official website and Pro Football Reference provide complete, verified box scores and play-by-play logs for every game.
Who threw the most interceptions in this Vikings-Lions game?
Nick Mullens threw four interceptions, while Jared Goff threw one. The turnover margin heavily favored Detroit.
Which receiver had the most receiving yards?
Justin Jefferson led all receivers with 141 yards on 6 catches, including a 26-yard touchdown.
How many rushing touchdowns did Jahmyr Gibbs score?
Gibbs scored two rushing touchdowns, one from 14 yards out and another from 3 yards.
What was the game’s final score?
The Lions defeated the Vikings 30-24 on December 24, 2023, at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Did the Lions clinch the NFC North with this win?
Yes, Detroit clinched its first division title since 1993 with the victory, finishing the season 12-5 and hosting a playoff game.
The Final Whistle
Go back and scan the table. Those names and numbers aren’t just entries—they show why Detroit walked away with the division and Minnesota slipped into an uncertain offseason. Bookmark this page. When these two teams meet again, you will want to compare the fresh Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions match player stats side by side. Drop a comment with the performance that stood out to you, and share this breakdown with anyone who needs the full story behind the box score.
