The Vikings entered the NFL as an expansion team during the1961 season and were assigned to theWestern Division, becoming divisional rivals with the Lions. Following theAFL-NFL merger in 1970, both teams transitioned to theNFC Central, which was later renamed the NFC North after the NFL's realignment in 2002. While the two teams initially maintained a closely contested rivalry, the Vikings dominated in the 1970s, taking a big lead over the Lions.
The Vikings have outperformed the Lions since the inception of their rivalry and the most one-sided decades occurred during the 1970s and 2000s, where the Vikings went 35–5 against the Lions. Based on winning percentage, it is one of the most lopsided divisional rivalries in the NFL.
The Vikings lead the overall series, 80–45–2. The two teams have not met in theplayoffs.[1]
The Lions were founded in1930 as thePortsmouth Spartans, located inPortsmouth,Ohio.[10][11] Due to financial troubles, the team was purchased byGeorge A. Richards, who relocated them toDetroit for the1934 season and renamed them as the Detroit Lions.[10] The team won its first championship in1935, but it would subsequently endure decades of mediocrity, failing to qualify for the playoffs since then.[12] By the1952 season, the Lions experienced a turnaround in their fortunes, being led by Hall-of-Fame quarterbackBobby Layne and head coachesBuddy Parker andGeorge Wilson. During the 1950s, the Lions appeared in four NFL championship games, winning in three of them.[13] During that same timeframe, the Lions were placed in the NFL National Conference following theAAFC–NFL merger, which would be renamed to the Western Conference in the1953 season.[14][15] The early 1960s saw the Lions win three consecutivePlayoff Bowl, a post-season exhibition game to determine third place.[12]
TheLions andVikings inaugural meeting between one another occurred onNovember 19, 1961 in Minnesota, which saw the Vikings score the first 10 points in the first quarter before being shut out by the Lions on route to a 37–10 Lions blowout win.[17] On December 10, they would meet again in Detroit for the first time, where the Lions won 13–7, completing a sweep of the inaugural season series against the Vikings.[18]
The Lions won their next three games against the Vikings, increasing their winning streak to five, one of their longest.[1] It wasn't until the1963 season that theVikings defeated theLions for the first time, winning 34–31 on November 24 in Minnesota.[19]
In the1964 season on October 11 in Minnesota, a miscommunication led to both theLions andVikings starting the game in identical white jerseys, marking the first and only time of two teams wearing the same color in a NFL game. At the start of the second quarter, the Vikings changed into their purple jerseys. The Lions would win the game 24–20.[20]
Later that season on November 22 in Detroit, Lions' KWayne Walker kicked a 37-yard field goal under less than a minute left to lead to the first tie result between the two teams.[21]
In the1967 season, the NFL divided its teams into two eight-team conferences split into two divisions each. Consequently, the Lions and Vikings were placed in the Western Conference and theNFC Central, alongside theChicago Bears andGreen Bay Packers, thereby continuing their divisional rivalry.[25]
Later that season on November 12 in Minnesota, theLions fumbled 11 times in a 10–10 tie against theVikings, setting an NFL record.[26]
1968–1985: Bud Grant era, Vikings dominate
Vikings HCBud Grant was dominant against the Lions, compiling a 26–8–1 record in their matchups. This record included a thirteen-game winning streak and a home record of 15–2–1.
In the1968 season, theVikings recorded their first season series sweep against theLions.[27] This would help the Vikings to clinch their first playoff appearance and division title in franchise history.[28]
Following their loss to theVikings in Minnesota in the1969 season,Lions players were forced to bathe in cold water, prompting Lions HCJoe Schmidt to remark that they would give the Vikings "an ice bath" in their next game.[29] However, the Lions would be shut out 27–0 in their first Thanksgiving matchup against the Vikings.[29][30]
That season also saw both teams finishing with double-digit wins and qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in the same year.[33] Despite that, the Vikings swept the Lions, a result that would ultimately lead to them clinching the NFC Central title.[34][35]
From 1968 to 1974, the Vikings went on a 13-game winning streak against the Lions, the longest win streak in the rivalry.[36] The streak included blowout victories, overcoming a 13–0 deficit, and a game-winning block by DBBobby Bryant onErrol Mann's 33-yard field goal attempt in the game's final play.[37][38] The Vikings also took the overall series lead with their win in the1971 season, a lead that they have yet to relinquish.[39]
It was not untilOctober 20, 1974, in Minnesota that theLions defeated theVikings 20–16 to snap their 13-game losing streak.[40][41] Additionally, theLions would also snap their 7-game losing streak at home against theVikings in1975.[42]
In the Detroit meeting in the1976 season, theVikings arrived 5 minutes prior to the scheduled kickoff time, resulting in a half-hour delay for the game to start. The Vikings would be fined 5,000 dollars.[43] Despite the setback, the Vikings held on to a 10–9 victory afterLions Holder Joe Reed mishandled a snap, and Errol Mann's attempt for an extra point was missed following a late touchdown by the Lions.[44]
Later that season in their meeting at Minnesota, Vikings rookie WRSammy Write set a Minnesota single-game receiving record with 210 receiving yards, contributing to the Vikings' victory over the Lions. The record would be surpassed by WRJustin Jefferson in a2022 season game, coincidentally against theLions.[45]
In the1978 season on December 9 in Detroit, theLions put together one of their most dominating wins against theVikings. They beat the Vikings 45–14, their most points scored in a game against the Vikings.[46] Lions QBGary Danielson finished with 5 passing touchdowns, becoming the first Lions quarterback to throw for five touchdowns in a game.[47]
In the1980 season, theLions beat theVikings in Detroit and improved to a 4–0 record, one of their best starts in franchise history.[48] However, the Vikings got their revenge in Minnesota, where they shutout the Lions 34–0 to record the first shutout in the series. The Vikings defense sacked Gary Danielson seven times and forced eight Lions turnovers.[49] The final score, 34–0, is also the Vikings' largest victory against the Lions with a 34–point differential.[50] Despite a strong start from the Lions and a poor start for the Vikings, both teams finished the season with 9–7 records. However, the Vikings had the better conference record than the Lions, allowing them to clinch the NFC Central, their 11th in 13 years, while also eliminating the Lions from playoff contention.[51]
In the1981 season, theVikings won the first meeting in Minnesota, when KRick Danmeier kicked the game-winning 20-yard field goal with four seconds left.[52] However, in the meeting in Detroit, theLions exacted revenge where they recorded one of their most dominating victories against the Vikings, winning 45–7. They recorded their largest victory over the Vikings with a 38–point differential and tied their most points scored in a game against the Vikings since the 1978 game.[46][53]
Due to the1982 NFL Players strike, the game scheduled in Minnesota was canceled, making this the only season in which theLions andVikings did not face each other at least twice in the regular season.[54]
Despite losing the first meeting in1983, theLions won the second matchup against theVikings, a victory that helped them clinch the NFC Central Division title, their first division championship since the1957 season.[55][56] Meanwhile, the Vikings, who started the season 6–2, missed the playoffs after finishing 2–6 in their final eight games.[57]
In the1984 season on October 21 at Minnesota,Lions RBBilly Sims suffered a catastrophic injury to his right knee. During the game, he became the franchise's all-time leading rusher with 5,106 yards, a record later surpassed by Barry Sanders.[58][59] The injury ultimately ended Sims' career, as he never played again and officially retired in 1986.[58]
The1985 season markedBud Grant’s final year as head coach of the Vikings. He finished his career with a 26–8–1 record against the Lions, which included a thirteen-game winning streak, the longest in the rivalry, and a 15–2–1 record at home.[60][61]
1986–1990: Vikings continue their dominance
Even after Bud Grant's departure, the Vikings continued to make playoff appearances and maintained a strong record against the Lions.[62] This was particularly evident during the1988 season. In their November 6 matchup in Minnesota, theVikings defeated theLions 44–17, their most points scored in a game against the Lions.[63][64] Later that season, during their Thanksgiving Day game in Detroit, the Vikings shut out the Lions 23–0. The Lions managed only 60 total yards in the game, setting a franchise record for the fewest total yards in a single game. They also finished with 3 first downs, tying a franchise record. Meanwhile, the Vikings tied a franchise record for the fewest yards allowed in a game and set a franchise record for fewest first downs allowed with 3.[65] By the end of the decade, the Vikings had a 7-game winning streak over the Lions.[62]
1991–1999: Lions and Vikings compete for playoffs
In their first matchup of the1991 season, Lions running backBarry Sanders (pictured) rushed for a touchdown with 43 seconds remaining, completing a comeback from a 20–3 fourth-quarter deficit to secure the win. In their second meeting, Sanders rushed for 220 yards and four touchdowns, both franchise records, as he led the Lions to their first season sweep of the Vikings since the1962 season.
Both teams were strong contenders in the 1990s, regularly vying for playoff spots and the NFC Central division title.[66][67]
During the1991 NFL season, theLions hosted theVikings in a memorable matchup in which the Lions overcame a 20–3 fourth quarter deficit. After a Vikings field goal extended their lead to 20–3 with 8:38 remaining, the Lions mounted a dramatic comeback. RBBarry Sanders scored the game-winning touchdown on a 15-yard run, securing a 24–20 victory for Detroit. Sanders finished the game with 116 rushing yards on 25 carries, his fourth consecutive 100-yard performance, and added 9 receptions for 76 receiving yards.[68]
In their next meeting that season, held in Minnesota, the Lions delivered one of their strongest performances against the Vikings. The Lions' defense intercepted QBRich Gannon three times and recorded six sacks.[69] On offense, Barry Sanders had one of the most outstanding games of his career, rushing for 220 yards and four touchdowns as he led the Lions to a 34–14 victory. The 220 rushing yards set a franchise record for the most in a single game by a player, a mark Sanders would later surpass himself in 1994. His four rushing touchdowns also set a franchise record for the most in a single game by a player, a record that still stands. The victory completed a season sweep of the Vikings for the first time since the1962 season, ending a 29-year drought.[70]
TheVikings would get their revenge in1994, holding Sanders to just 16 yards on 12 carries, one of the worst performances of his career, in a 10–3 Minnesota victory.[71]
In their next meeting, theLions dominated the Vikings with a 41–19 victory, securing consecutive winning seasons for the first time since1972–1973. One bright spot for Minnesota came when wide receiverCris Carter set a new NFL record formost receptions in a single season, a record that would be broken the following year byHerman Moore, a Lions player.[72]
In the1995 season matchup in Minnesota,Vikings kickerFuad Reveiz set an NFL record by making his 30th consecutive field goal, surpassing the previous mark of 29 set bySan Diego Chargers'sJohn Carney in the 1992–93 seasons. The Vikings also successfully limited Sanders once again, holding him to just 35 yards on 13 carries.[73]
In their Thanksgiving matchup in Detroit, the two teams played the highest-scoring game in the history of the rivalry. TheLions defeated the Vikings 44–38 in a game that featured ten touchdowns and a combined 919 yards of total offense. Lions quarterbackScott Mitchell threw for 410 yards, setting a franchise record for most passing yards in a single game, a record that would later be broken in 2001.[74][75]
In the1997 season, theLions defeated theVikings 38–15 in Detroit, ending the Vikings’ six-game winning streak.[76] In their rematch in Minnesota, Lions wide receiverHerman Moore caught a 1-yardalley-oop touchdown pass with three seconds remaining on the game's final play to secure a 14–13 victory and a season sweep of the Vikings. The loss marked the beginning of a late-season collapse for Minnesota, who had started the year 8–2 but went on to lose five straight games, beginning with the defeat in Detroit.[67]
In the1999 season,Lions kickerJason Hanson made six field goals, including a 48-yarder with seven seconds remaining, to give the Lions a 25–23 victory over theVikings. Hanson tied the franchise record for most field goals made in a single game, originally set byGaro Yepremian in a 1966 game, also against Minnesota. The Vikings, who had trailed 19–0 at halftime, rallied to take a 23–22 lead onGary Anderson’s 26-yard field goal with 1:40 remaining, but it ultimately wasn’t enough.[77]
In the2000 season in Minnesota, theVikings clinched a playoff berth with their victory over theLions. In the same game, wide receiver Cris Carter became the second player in NFL history to record1,000 career receptions.[78]
2000s: Complete Vikings Dominance
In the 2000s, the Vikings had a commanding 18–2 record against the Lions.
2020s: Lions and Vikings compete for playoffs
This section needs to beupdated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(October 2025)
In the 2021 offseason, the Lions decided to trade QBMatthew Stafford to theLos Angeles Rams in exchange for QBJared Goff, a 2021 third-round pick and two first-round picks in 2022 and 2023.[79]
In the2021 season, theLions andVikings experienced slow starts before their encounter in Minneapolis on October 10. Going into the 4th quarter, the Vikings held a 13–6 lead. KGreg 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 RBAlexander Mattison fumbled the ball, allowing LBJalen Reeves-Maybin to recover it at Minnesota's 20-yard line with less than 2 minutes remaining. RBD'Andre Swift capitalized on the turnover by scoring a touchdown. Instead of playing it safe and aiming for overtime, HCDan Campbell decided to go for a two-point conversion. Goff's pass to WRKhaDarel Hodge successfully put the Lions ahead at 17–16. The Vikings got the ball back with 33 seconds left. QBKirk Cousins completed two deep passes to WRAdam Thielen for 40 yards and one pass to WRDede 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.[80] After suffering consecutive defeats on game-winning field goals (the first one against theBaltimore 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."[81][82]
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 theChicago 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 LBBlake Lynch and fumbled the ball, which Lynch promptly recovered. The Vikings took advantage of this turnover, with Cousins connecting with WRJustin 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 WRAmon-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.[83]
Running backAdrian Peterson was selected by theVikings in2007 (left), where he set numerous rushing records and earned theMVP award during the2012 season. He subsequently had a short tenure with the Lions in the2020 season (right).
Season-by-season results
Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings Season-by-Season Results[1]
Vikings join theNational Football League (NFL) as an expansion team. They were placed in theWestern Division, resulting in two meetings annually with the Lions.
In Minnesota, the Lions and Vikings began the game wearing the same white jersey colors due to a miscommunication, the first and only time this happened in NFL history.
In Minnesota, Lions KGaro Yepremian kicked 6 field goals, setting an NFL record (broken byJim Bakken in the1967 season). Following the Lions' loss in Detroit, fans threw snowballs at Lions head coachHarry Gilmer.
As a result of expansion, the two eight-team divisions became two eight-team conferences split into two divisions, with the Lions and Vikings placed in theNFL Central division. In Minnesota, Lions fumbled 11 times, setting an NFL record.
Following their loss in Minnesota, Lions players had to bathe with cold water, prompting Lions HCJoe Schmidt to remark that they would give the Vikings "an ice bath" in their next game. Game in Detroit was played onThanksgiving. Last time the Lions held the overall series record. Vikings win1969 NFL Championship, but loseSuper Bowl IV.
As a result of theAFL–NFL merger, the Lions and Vikings were placed in the newly formedNational Football Conference (NFC) and theNFC Central (later renamed to the NFC North in the2002 season). Both teams make the playoffs in the same season for the first time.
In Detroit, Vikings overcame a 13–0 deficit as they took overall series lead with their win. In Minnesota, Vikings clinched the NFC Central with their win.
Vikings win 13 straight meetings (1968–1974). Lions' win came when DBLem Barney intercepted Vikings' QBFran Tarkenton's pass in the end zone of the game's final play. Last matchup atTiger Stadium. Vikings loseSuper Bowl IX.
In Detroit, Vikings showed up 5 minutes before the scheduled time for the opening kickoff, resulting in a half-hour delay before the game started. Vikings win came after Lions scored a late touchdown but missed the extra point. In Minnesota, Vikings rookie WRSammy White finished with 210 receiving yards, setting a franchise record for most receiving yards in a game by one player. (Broken byJustin Jefferson in2022.) Vikings loseSuper Bowl XI.
In Detroit, Lions score their most points in a game against the Vikings. Lions QBGary Danielson finished with 5 passing touchdowns, becoming the first Lions quarterback to throw for five touchdowns in a game.
In Minneosta, Vikings record their largest victory against the Lions with a 34–point differential. Both teams finished with 9–7 records, but the Vikings clinched the NFC Central based on a better conference record, eliminating the Lions from playoff contention.
In Minnesota, Vikings' KRick Danmeier kicked the game-winning field goal with four seconds left. In Detroit, Lions record their largest victory against the Vikings with a 38–point differential and tied their most points scored in a game against the Vikings (1978). Last matchup atMetropolitan Stadium.
In Minnesota, Lions' RBBilly Sims suffered a catastrophic right knee injury after setting the franchise's all-time rushing record (broken byBarry Sanders). The injury ultimately ended Sims' career.
In Minnesota, Vikings KJan Stenerud made a game-winning 28-yard field goal with four seconds remaining. Final season for Vikings HCBud Grant. He finished with a 26–8–1 record against the Lions.
In Minnesota, Vikings score their most points in a game against the Lions. Game in Detroit was played onThanksgiving. Lions finished with 60 total yards, setting a franchise record for the fewest yards in a single game. They also finished with three first downs, tying the franchise record for the fewest in a game. Meanwhile, the Vikings tied a franchise record for the fewest yards allowed in a game and set a new franchise record for the fewest first downs allowed.
In Detroit, Lions overcame a 20–3 fourth quarter deficit. In Minnesota, Lions running backBarry Sanders finished with 220 rushing yards and four touchdowns, setting a franchise record for most rushing yards in a game by a player (broken by him in1994) and a franchise record for most rushing touchdowns in a game by a player. Lions' first season series sweep against the Vikings since the1962 season.
In Minnesota, a pass interference penalty on Vikings CornerbackAnthony Parker gave the Lions another chance to score the game-winning touchdown, which they did with 40 seconds remaining.
In Minnesota, Vikings kickerFuad Reveiz set an NFL record by making his 30th consecutive field goal. Game in Detroit was played onThanksgiving. The game's final score is the highest-scoring game between the two teams (82 points). Lions quarterbackScott Mitchell threw for 410 yards, setting a franchise record for most passing yards in a game (broken byCharlie Batch in2001 season.)
In Minnesota, Lions wide receiverHerman Moore caught analley-oop game-winning touchdown with three seconds left on the game's final play. Both teams finished with 9–7 records, but the Lions clinched the better playoff seed based on their head-to-head sweep.
In Detroit, Lions kickerJason Hanson converted six field goals, including the game-winning 48-yard field goal with seven seconds remaining, to tie the franchise record for most field goals made in a game. Vikings' win clinched them a better playoff seed than the Lions, along with home-field advantage in the Wild Card round. Had the Lions won, the Vikings would have traveled to Detroit for their first playoff matchup against each other.
In Minnesota, Vikings clinched a playoff berth with their win and wide receiverCris Carter became the second player in NFL history to record1,000 career receptions.
Vikings win on a game-winning field goal to extend their winning streak to eight (2017–2021). In Detroit, Lions' QBJared Goff threw a touchdown pass to WRAmon-Ra St. Brown on the game's final play, earning their first win of theseason after an 0–10–1 start and their first victory in over a year, snapping a 15-game winless streak.
Lions' win in Minnesota was the Vikings' only home loss in their2024 season. In Detroit, Lions clinched the NFC North title, the NFC #1 seed, and win all of their division games for the first time in franchise history with their win.
^Barnett, C. Robert (1980)."THE PORTSMOUTH SPARTANS"(PDF).Professional Football Researchers Association.Archived(PDF) from the original on September 21, 2020. RetrievedOctober 9, 2023.
^Shook, Richard (September 21, 1971)."Lions Still Have to Wait".The Beaver County Times. Archived fromthe original on June 13, 2025. RetrievedJune 13, 2025.
^Atkins, Harry (November 24, 1995)."Mitchell leads Lions".McCook Daily Gazette. Associated Press.Archived from the original on September 18, 2025. RetrievedSeptember 18, 2025.
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