Jared Goff threw a go-ahead, 7-yard touchdown pass to Jameson Williams with 4:35 left as the Detroit Lions beat the Minnesota Vikings 19-15 on Sunday, handing the NFL's last undefeated team its first loss.
The Lions, now 5-2, won their third straight game including their first two division contests in the tight NFC North. The Vikings fell to 6-1, losing for the first time since Nov. 30, 2025, at Seattle.
The Vikings entered the game with the league's stingiest defense but could not hold onto a late lead. Detroit running back Jahmyr Gibbs ran for 153 yards, including a 30-yard, tackle-breaking touchdown in the third quarter. Kyler Murray was 17 of 29 for 210 yards with two touchdowns and an interception for Minnesota, leading an offense that managed just 81 yards rushing.
The Lions broke a scoreless tie late in the first quarter on Jake Bates' 25-yard field goal. The Vikings went ahead 7-3 early in the second when Murray lofted a 1-yard pass to the left side of the end zone that Justin Jefferson snagged with his left hand. Lions cornerback D.J. Reed cut in front of Jordan Addison for a diving interception late in the second quarter.
Detroit converted a fourth-and-1 from its 47 on its last drive of the first half, and Bates later made a 37-yard field goal to make it 7-6. Early in the third quarter, Bates' 46-yard kick hit the left upright. The Vikings had a chance to extend their lead from the Detroit 25, but coach Kevin O'Connell went for it on fourth-and-5 and Murray threw incomplete. Murray later threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to T.J. Hockenson and a 2-point conversion pass to Jordan Addison for a 15-12 lead midway through the fourth quarter, but the defense could not hold the lead.
Injuries: Vikings safety Theo Jackson suffered a quad injury. Lions linebacker Jack Campbell was placed on a backboard and carted off the field in the fourth quarter before being taken to a hospital with a neck injury. Safety Brian Branch and edge DJ Wonnum were evaluated for concussions after colliding late in the second quarter and did not return.
The Vikings host the Bills on Monday, Nov. 9. The Lions are at Miami on Sunday.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The Vikings entered the game as the NFL's only undefeated team; this loss reshapes the NFC North and playoff standings.
- Jahmyr Gibbs' 153-yard performance offers the Lions a strong running game as they push for the division title.
- The loss of key defenders to injury could test Detroit's depth over the coming weeks.
Background
The Vikings were riding the NFL's longest active winning streak into this divisional matchup. The Lions, having lost their early-season momentum in previous years, were looking to prove their NFC North lead was legitimate. The game was a pivotal early-season contest that could determine the trajectory of the division race.
What to Watch
- The health status of Lions defenders Jack Campbell, Brian Branch and DJ Wonnum, particularly Campbell's neck injury.
- Whether Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray can improve his team's offensive output against the Bills next week.
- Whether the Lions can sustain their momentum on the road against Miami.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
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- SupportedThe Lions beat the Vikings 19-15 on Sunday.Chicago Sun-Times: “Jared Goff threw a go-ahead, 7-yard touchdown pass to Jameson Williams with 4:35 left and the Detroit Lions beat the Minnesota Vikings 19-15 on Sunday”
- SupportedThe Vikings suffered their first loss of the season, ending the NFL’s last undefeated team’s run.Chicago Sun-Times: “handing the NFL's last undefeated team its first loss.”
- SupportedGoff threw a go-ahead, 7-yard touchdown pass to Williams with 4:35 left.Chicago Sun-Times: “Jared Goff threw a go-ahead, 7-yard touchdown pass to Jameson Williams with 4:35 left”
- SupportedThe Lions earned their third straight win.Chicago Sun-Times: “The Lions (5-2) have won three straight”
- SupportedThe Lions were 5-2 and the Vikings were 6-1 after the game.Chicago Sun-Times: “The Lions (5-2) have won three straight”
- SupportedThe Vikings lost for the first time since Nov. 30, 2025, at Seattle.Chicago Sun-Times: “they lost for the first time since Nov. 30, 2025, at Seattle.”
- SupportedJahmyr Gibbs ran for 153 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown in the third quarter.Chicago Sun-Times: “Detroit's Jahmyr Gibbs ran for 153 yards, including a 30-yard, tackle-breaking touchdown in the third quarter.”
- SupportedKyler Murray completed 17 of 29 passes for 210 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.Chicago Sun-Times: “Kyler Murray was 17 of 29 for 210 yards with two touchdown and an interception”
- SupportedMinnesota’s offense managed 81 yards rushing.Chicago Sun-Times: “leading an offensively challenged team that had just 81 yards rushing.”
- SupportedJack Campbell was placed on a backboard, carted off in the fourth quarter and taken to a hospital with a neck injury.Chicago Sun-Times: “Linebacker Jack Campbell was placed on a backboard, carted off the field in the fourth quarter and taken to a hospital with a neck injury.”
- SupportedTheo Jackson suffered a quad injury during the game.Chicago Sun-Times: “Safety Theo Jackson (quad) was injured during the game.”
- SupportedBrian Branch and DJ Wonnum were evaluated for concussions after colliding late in the second quarter and did not return.Chicago Sun-Times: “Safety Brian Branch and edge DJ Wonnum were evaluated for concussions after colliding late in the second quarter and didn't return.”