Dec 5, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) passes the ball during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Jaguars and Jared Goff cap off the regular season with a victory over the Vikings.
January 7: The playoff-bound Detroit Lions defeated the visiting Minnesota Vikings 30-20 on Sunday after Jared Goff completed 320 yards and two touchdowns through passing, including a 70-yard pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown.
After a contentious loss to Dallas on December 30, the NFC North champion Lions (12-5) recovered behind seven receptions for 144 yards from St. Brown.
After making another catch late in the half, Sam LaPorta hurt his knee after catching a 2-yard touchdown pass.
For the most touchdown receptions by a rookie tight end in a single season, LaPorta set a record in the NFL. LaPorta finished the regular season with 86 receptions, including five for the game. With 81 catches in 1988, Keith Jackson held the previous record.
The Vikings (7-10) were officially out of the postseason picture after Nick Mullens completed 396 yards of passing for two touchdowns and two interceptions. For 192 yards and a touchdown, Justin Jefferson hauled in 12 passes.
The Lions seized a 13–6 lead at the half.
The first touchdown for the Lions came from a 42-yard punt return by Kalif Raymond. To cap off a 52-yard drive, Goff found LaPorta for a 2-yard touchdown pass.
Goff’s 41-yard pass to Raymond set up Jahmyr Gibbs’ 3-yard run, which resulted in the next touchdown for the Lions. A missed extra-point attempt by Michael Badgley.
Minnesota took the lead thanks to a 39-yard field goal by Greg Joseph. Joseph made a 43-yard field goal to close out the half.
Halfway through the third quarter, Detroit increased their lead to 20-6. David Montgomery’s one-yard plunge to seal the drive came after Goff’s 20-yard pass to Donovan Peoples-Jones on fourth down.
With 20 seconds remaining in the third quarter, Mullens’ 38-yard scoring pass to Jefferson brought Minnesota within seven points once more.
15 seconds into the fourth quarter, Goff found St. Brown, who zigzagged through the defense for a 70-yard touchdown, giving the Lions those points back.
With 13:22 left, Mullens responded for the Vikings with a 42-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Addison.
With 8:14 remaining, Badgley made a 39-yard field goal to make it 30–20. Cameron Sutton and C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s interceptions sealed the Lions’ victory.
