Scott Clark
Jan 07, 2024 - 11:10

Playoff-bound Lions lose record-breaking rookie Sam LaPorta to knee injury in 30-20 win over Vikings

Detroit Lions close out regular season with 30-20 win over Minnesota Vikings, matching franchise record for wins and hosting playoff game.

The Detroit Lions closed out the regular season with a 30-20 win over the Minnesota Vikings, matching a franchise record for wins and securing a playoff spot. Sam LaPorta, who set an NFL record for receptions by a rookie tight end with 86, had a 2-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter but later left the game with a knee injury. The Lions are hopeful that he will be healthy enough to help them in the playoffs, as they will host a playoff game for the first time since 1993.

Despite the fact that the Lions could only improve their playoff seeding from No. 3 to No. 2 in the NFC with a win, coach Dan Campbell chose to play all his starters. They needed the Cowboys to lose at Washington for that to happen. Minnesota was eliminated from playoff contention, losing four straight games and six of seven in a season affected by Kirk Cousins' torn Achilles tendon.

Jared Goff, who completed 23 of 32 passes for 320 yards without a turnover, threw his second TD pass on a 70-yard toss to Amon-Ra St. Brown in the fourth. He also set the Lions up for Michael Badgley's 39-yard field goal that gave them a 30-20 lead with 8:14 left. Nick Mullens threw interceptions to Cam Sutton and C.J. Gardner-Johnson late in the fourth, ending Minnesota's comeback hopes. He finished 30 of 44 for 396 yards.

Justin Jefferson had an impressive game for the Vikings, with a career-high-matching 12 catches for a season-high 192 yards and a score. He joined Wes Chandler (1982) and Jim Benton (1945) as the only players in league history to have 1,000 yards receiving in 10 or fewer games.

The Vikings missed the playoffs for the third time in four years, while the Lions will host a playoff game at Ford Field for the first time since 1993, aiming to win a postseason game for the first time since 1992.