Final2023 Week 18

Ford Field, Detroit, MI

Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions, Week 18 2023

Minnesota Vikings

Away

20

Detroit Lions

HomeWon

30

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Vikings067720
Lions13071030

MIN 20DET 30 Final

  • Passing leader

    Nick Mullens

    MIN · QB

    22.6PPR pts

    30/44, 396 YDS, 2 TD, 2 INT

  • Top fantasy scorer

    Justin Jefferson

    MIN · WR

    36.0PPR pts

    12 REC, 192 YDS, 1 TD

  • Vikings leader

    Jordan Addison

    MIN · WR

    15.7PPR pts

    4 REC, 57 YDS, 1 TD

  • Defensive playmaker

    Cameron Sutton

    DET

    1 INT, 9 TKL

Lions 30, Vikings 20: Detroit beats Minnesota

Detroit led 13–6 at halftime and outscored Minnesota 17–14 after the break to win 30–20. Minnesota outgained the Lions 448–381, but the Lions averaged 6.8 yards per play.

The Vikings went 2-for-13 on third down and committed two turnovers, while the Lions finished without a giveaway.

The two teams meet again in Week 8 of 2026. If you roster anyone from either side, run the start/sit call in Redraft Command and it will weigh your lineup, your opponent and your league scoring, not only the player rankings.

Key advantages

  • +0.4 yards/play DET 6.8 · MIN 6.4
  • +2 turnover margin DET 0 turnovers

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

Got a Viking or Lion on your fantasy team?

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Why the Lions Won

Detroit won the efficiency and turnover battles.

Team stats comparison, Vikings vs Lions
VikingsStatLions
6.4Yards per play6.8
2Turnovers0
Other team stats
448Total yards381
70Plays56
15%Third-down conversion11%
34:59Time of possession25:01

Scoring Summary

The Lions scored four touchdowns and one field goal; the Vikings scored two touchdowns and two field goals.

Scoring plays, Vikings vs Lions
TimeTeamPlayMINDET
1st quarter
8:06DETJared Goff → Sam LaPorta, 2-yard TD Takes leadMichael Badgley XP07
2:12DETJahmyr Gibbs 3-yard TD run Extends lead013
2nd quarter
9:20MINGreg Joseph 39-yard FG313
0:00MINGreg Joseph 43-yard FG613
3rd quarter
7:14DETDavid Montgomery 1-yard TD run Extends leadMichael Badgley XP620
0:20MINNick Mullens → Justin Jefferson, 38-yard TDGreg Joseph XP1320
4th quarter
14:45DETJared Goff → Amon-Ra St. Brown, 70-yard TD Extends leadMichael Badgley XP1327
13:22MINNick Mullens → Jordan Addison, 42-yard TDGreg Joseph XP2027
8:14DETMichael Badgley 39-yard FG Extends lead2030

Fantasy Points: Vikings vs Lions, Week 18 2023

Fantasy leaders

  1. Justin JeffersonMINWR36.0 PTSWR1
  2. Amon-Ra St. BrownDETWR27.4 PTSWR4
  3. Nick MullensMINQB22.6 PTSQB5
  4. Jared GoffDETQB20.8 PTSQB6

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
PlayerFPTSFINCMP/ATTPass YDSTDINTRush ATTRush YDSRush TDRateStart/Sit
Nick MullensMINQB22.6QB530/443962228092.6Start/Sit →
Jared GoffDETQB20.8QB623/3232020———124.5Start/Sit →

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
PlayerFPTSFINPOSRush ATTRush YDSRush TDTGTRECRec YDSRec TDStart/Sit
Justin JeffersonMINWR36.0WR1WR1-12014121921Start/Sit →
Amon-Ra St. BrownDETWR27.4WR4WR———1071441Start/Sit →
Jordan AddisonMINWR15.7WR21WR———84571Start/Sit →
Sam LaPortaDETTE13.9TE3TE———75291Start/Sit →
Ty ChandlerMINRB10.9RB26RB1269032200
Johnny MundtMINTE10.8TE11TE———65580Start/Sit →
David MontgomeryDETRB10.0RB28RB10401————Start/Sit →
Josh ReynoldsDETWR9.4WR40WR———75440
Jahmyr GibbsDETRB9.0RB30RB133011000Start/Sit →
Kalif RaymondDETWR7.0WR53WR———22500Start/Sit →
Josh OliverMINTE5.1TE28TE———32310
Donovan Peoples-JonesDETWR4.5WR69WR———22250
Alexander MattisonMINRB3.9RB47RB72401150
James MitchellDETTE3.4TE35TE———11240
Nick MuseMINTE3.2TE38TE———11220
K.J. OsbornMINWR2.9WR89WR———4290Start/Sit →
Brandon PowellMINWR1.2WR116WR———3120

Fantasy Usage

Minnesota Vikings

Snap Share

  1. Justin JeffersonWR68 snaps93%
  2. Jordan AddisonWR68 snaps93%
  3. Johnny MundtTE55 snaps75%
  4. K.J. OsbornWR41 snaps56%
  5. Josh OliverTE39 snaps53%

Target Share43 targets

  1. Justin Jefferson33%, 14 targets
  2. Jordan Addison19%, 8 targets
  3. Johnny Mundt14%, 6 targets
  4. K.J. Osborn9%, 4 targets
  5. Brandon Powell7%, 3 targets
  6. Other19%, 8 targets

Carry Share22 carries

  1. Ty Chandler55%, 12 carries
  2. Alexander Mattison32%, 7 carries
  3. Nick Mullens9%, 2 carries
  4. Justin Jefferson5%, 1 carries

Detroit Lions

Snap Share

  1. Josh ReynoldsWR50 snaps88%
  2. James MitchellTE46 snaps81%
  3. Amon-Ra St. BrownWR41 snaps72%
  4. Jahmyr GibbsRB29 snaps51%
  5. David MontgomeryRB28 snaps49%

Target Share30 targets

  1. Amon-Ra St. Brown33%, 10 targets
  2. Josh Reynolds23%, 7 targets
  3. Sam LaPorta23%, 7 targets
  4. Kalif Raymond7%, 2 targets
  5. Donovan Peoples-Jones7%, 2 targets
  6. Other7%, 2 targets

Carry Share23 carries

  1. Jahmyr Gibbs57%, 13 carries
  2. David Montgomery43%, 10 carries
View full usage tableHide full usage table
Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
PlayerSNAPSSNAP %TGTTGT %CAR
Justin JeffersonMINWR6893%1433%1
Jordan AddisonMINWR6893%819%0
Josh ReynoldsDETWR5088%723%0
James MitchellDETTE4681%13%0
Johnny MundtMINTE5575%614%0
Amon-Ra St. BrownDETWR4172%1033%0
K.J. OsbornMINWR4156%49%0
Josh OliverMINTE3953%37%0
Ty ChandlerMINRB3953%37%12
Jahmyr GibbsDETRB2951%13%13
David MontgomeryDETRB2849%00%10
Sam LaPortaDETTE2340%723%0
Donovan Peoples-JonesDETWR2137%27%0
Alexander MattisonMINRB2332%12%7
Kalif RaymondDETWR1221%27%0
Antoine GreenDETWR1018%00%0
Brandon PowellMINWR912%37%0
Craig ReynoldsDETRB24%00%0
Nick MuseMINTE23%12%0
Lucky JacksonMINWR11%00%0

Fantasy Points vs Expected

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

Usage and expected fantasy points
PlayerPTSxFPvs xFPSnap%UsageRte%Pass attCarCar%TgtTgt%
Justin JeffersonMIN · WR36.024.0+12.093%33% tgt—015%1433%
Nick MullensMIN · QB22.619.7+2.9100%44 att—4429%00%
Amon-Ra St. BrownDET · WR27.416.7+10.772%32% tgt—000%1032%
Jared GoffDET · QB20.813.5+7.3100%32 att—3200%00%
Jordan AddisonMIN · WR15.713.4+2.393%19% tgt—000%819%
Ty ChandlerMIN · RB10.912.4−1.553%55% car—01255%37%
Josh ReynoldsDET · WR9.411.7−2.388%23% tgt—000%723%
Sam LaPortaDET · TE13.911.7+2.240%23% tgt—000%723%
Johnny MundtMIN · TE10.810.0+0.875%14% tgt—000%614%
Jahmyr GibbsDET · RB9.09.6−0.651%57% car—01357%13%
K.J. OsbornMIN · WR2.96.7−3.856%9% tgt—000%49%
David MontgomeryDET · RB10.06.1+3.949%43% car—01043%00%
Alexander MattisonMIN · RB3.96.0−2.132%32% car—0732%12%
Brandon PowellMIN · WR1.25.0−3.812%7% tgt—000%37%
Josh OliverMIN · TE5.15.0+0.153%7% tgt—000%37%
Donovan Peoples-JonesDET · WR4.53.3+1.237%6% tgt—000%26%
Kalif RaymondDET · WR7.03.3+3.721%6% tgt—000%26%
Dan SkipperDET · —1.41.7−0.3—3% tgt—000%13%
James MitchellDET · TE3.41.7+1.781%3% tgt—000%13%
Nick MuseMIN · TE3.21.7+1.53%2% tgt—000%12%

Team totals: Vikings 43 targets and 22 carries; Lions 31 targets and 23 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2023 season: 1.67 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.61 per carry and 0.42 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Nick Mullens

MIN · QB · 22.6 pts on 19.7 expected

30 of 44 passing for 396 yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 interceptions; 2 carries for 8 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 19.7 expected.

Start/Sit: Nick Mullens →

Jared Goff Ran hot

DET · QB · 20.8 pts on 13.5 expected

23 of 32 passing for 320 yards, 2 touchdowns.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 13.5 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Jared Goff →

Justin Jefferson Ran hot

MIN · WR · 36.0 pts on 24.0 expected

14 targets (33% of the team's), 12 catches for 192 yards and 1 touchdown; 1 carry (5% of the team's) for -12 yards.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 24.0 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Justin Jefferson →

Jordan Addison

MIN · WR · 15.7 pts on 13.4 expected

8 targets (19% of the team's), 4 catches for 57 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 13.4 expected.

Start/Sit: Jordan Addison →

Amon-Ra St. Brown Ran hot

DET · WR · 27.4 pts on 16.7 expected

10 targets (32% of the team's), 7 catches for 144 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 16.7 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Amon-Ra St. Brown →

Josh Reynolds

DET · WR · 9.4 pts on 11.7 expected

7 targets (23% of the team's), 5 catches for 44 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 11.7 expected.

Ty Chandler

MIN · RB · 10.9 pts on 12.4 expected

3 targets (7% of the team's), 2 catches for 20 yards; 12 carries (55% of the team's) for 69 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 12.4 expected.

Johnny Mundt

MIN · TE · 10.8 pts on 10.0 expected

6 targets (14% of the team's), 5 catches for 58 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 10.0 expected.

Start/Sit: Johnny Mundt →

Stock Up, Stock Down

Minnesota Vikings

  • Stock up: Ty Chandler led the backfield with 53% of the snaps after trailing Alexander Mattison before this game.
  • Stock up: Johnny Mundt played 75% of the snaps, up from a 17% season average.
  • Stock down: Alexander Mattison lost the backfield lead: 32% of the snaps to Ty Chandler's 53%.

Detroit Lions

  • Stock up: Josh Reynolds played 88% of the snaps, up from a 70% season average.
  • Stock up: James Mitchell played 81% of the snaps, up from a 12% season average.
  • Stock down: Amon-Ra St. Brown played 72% of the snaps, down from a 91% season average.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2023 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Vikings defense and Lions defense
Points allowed toVikings DLions D
QBs17.019.4
RBs19.414.6
WRs37.439.7
TEs11.513.4

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

Detroit opened at 50% win probability and passed 98% in the fourth quarter on the way to the win.

Lions win probability

Lions win probability by game minuteLions started at 50%, stood at 77% at halftime and finished at 100%, across 9 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. +21Goff → LaPorta, 2-yd TD50% → 71%Q1 8:06
  2. +14Gibbs 3-yd TD run72% → 86%Q1 2:12
  3. +15Montgomery 1-yd TD run80% → 96%Q3 7:14
  4. −13Mullens → Jefferson, 38-yd TD98% → 85%Q3 0:20
  5. +13Goff → Brown, 70-yd TD85% → 98%Q4 14:45

Swing in Lions win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Vikings vs Lions
Minnesota VikingsMeasureDetroit Lions
70Plays56
69%Pass rate59%
7.5Yds / dropback9.4
4.0Yds / carry3.0
2/13Third downs1/9

Efficiency edge Detroit ran 14 fewer plays but gained 1.9 more yards per dropback.

  • Top targets
  • MIN Jefferson 33% · Addison 19% · Mundt 14%
  • DET Brown 32% · Reynolds 23% · LaPorta 23%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Vikings vs Lions
ResultMINDET
Touchdowns24
Field goals21
Punts45
Turnovers20
Turnovers on downs10

DET turnover edge: +2

  • The Lions opened the scoring on their second possession, a 4-play, 52-yard drive that ended in a touchdown.
  • The Lions scored touchdowns on two of their first three drives, then drained the clock with two second-half drives of four to six minutes.
All 22 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
DETQ1 15:00340:55Punt
MINQ1 14:056283:58Punt
DETQ1 10:074522:01Touchdown
MINQ1 8:063-22:01Punt
DETQ1 6:058643:53Touchdown
MINQ1 2:1214597:52Field goal
DETQ2 9:205172:49Punt
MINQ2 6:317353:56Punt
DETQ2 2:356171:23Punt
MINQ2 1:127571:12Field goal
MINQ3 15:008463:31Downs
DETQ3 11:299714:15Touchdown
MINQ3 7:143-42:07Punt
DETQ3 5:07381:30Punt
MINQ3 3:376803:17Touchdown
DETQ3 0:202750:35Touchdown
MINQ4 14:453751:23Touchdown
DETQ4 13:2210545:08Field goal
MINQ4 8:1412495:03Interception
DETQ4 3:11350:24Punt
MINQ4 2:47350:39Interception
DETQ4 2:084262:08End of game
About these numbers

Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Vikings vs Lions Head-to-Head

The Vikings and Lions first met in 1961 and have played 129 times since. They have been NFC North rivals since 1970.

All-time series
82–45–2Vikings lead, 129 meetings since 1961
Postseason
0No playoff meetings
Largest Vikings win
34–01980
Largest Lions win
45–71981

Since 2021

6–4 Lions lead

10 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. L = Lions win, V = Vikings win, outlined = this game.

2026 Meetings

  • Week 8 Vikings at Lions Upcoming
  • Week 15 Lions at Vikings Upcoming

Recent Meetings

Season to Date (Through Week 18)

The 2023 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Vikings vs Lions
VikingsStatLions
7-10Record12-5
20.2Points per game27.1
347.8Yards per game394.8
5.5Yards per play5.9
21.3Points allowed per game23.2
333.2Yards allowed per game336.1

Vikings vs Lions Fantasy Outlook for 2026

Two meetings are left on the 2026 schedule: Week 8 in Detroit and Week 15 in Minnesota. Here's how to decide who to play in your league.

Keep Exploring

2023 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Vikings vs Lions Game FAQ

Who won the 2023 Vikings vs Lions Week 18 game?

The Detroit Lions beat the Minnesota Vikings 30–20 in Week 18 of the 2023 season. The game was played at Ford Field in Detroit, MI, on January 7, 2024. See the Lions' 2023 schedule.

What was the final score of Vikings vs Lions?

The final score was Lions 30, Vikings 20. The Lions led 13–6 at halftime, and the second half went Vikings 14, Lions 17.

What happened in the Vikings vs Lions game?

Detroit led 13–6 at halftime and outscored Minnesota 17–14 after the break to win 30–20. Minnesota outgained the Lions 448–381, but the Lions averaged 6.8 yards per play. Justin Jefferson led all players with 12 catches for 192 yards and a touchdown, plus a carry for -12 rushing yards. The Vikings committed 2 turnovers, the Lions none.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Vikings vs Lions?

Justin Jefferson led the game with 36.0 PPR fantasy points, the WR1 of Week 18, on 12 catches for 192 yards and a touchdown, plus a carry for -12 rushing yards. Amon-Ra St. Brown was next with 27.4 (WR4). See Justin Jefferson's 2023 game log.

Who led Vikings vs Lions in passing, rushing and receiving?

Nick Mullens (MIN) led all passers with 30 of 44 for 396 yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Ty Chandler (MIN) led in rushing with 12 carries for 69 yards. Justin Jefferson (MIN) led in receiving with 12 catches for 192 yards and a touchdown.

How many fantasy points did Justin Jefferson score against the Lions?

Justin Jefferson scored 36.0 points in PPR leagues, 30.0 in half-PPR and 24.0 in standard scoring against the Lions in Week 18 of the 2023 season, on 12 catches for 192 yards and a touchdown, plus a carry for -12 rushing yards. He drew 33% of his team's targets.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Vikings vs Lions?

Justin Jefferson outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 36.0 PPR points on 24.0 xFP (+12.0). K.J. Osborn fell furthest short, with 2.9 points on 6.7 xFP (−3.8). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

Who had the highest expected fantasy points in Vikings vs Lions?

Justin Jefferson had the most fantasy opportunity in the game, worth 24.0 expected PPR points (xFP) at league-average rates, and scored 36.0. Expected points measure the volume of a player's pass attempts, carries and targets, not how well he used them.

How did the Lions beat the Vikings?

The Lions beat the Vikings 30–20 because they averaged 6.8 yards per play to 6.4 and won the turnover battle 2–0.

Which team won the turnover battle in Vikings vs Lions?

The Lions won the turnover battle 2–0: the Vikings gave the ball away 2 times and the Lions not at all. The Lions won the game.

What is the all-time Vikings vs Lions record?

The Vikings lead the all-time series 82–45–2 across 129 meetings since 1961.

When did the Vikings and Lions last play before this game?

Before Week 18 of 2023, they last met in the 2023 season on December 24, 2023, when the Lions beat the Vikings 30–24.

What is the Vikings vs Lions record since 2021?

The Lions lead 6–4 across 10 meetings since the 2021 season, including this game.