Detroit Lions hold off Minnesota Vikings, 30-20, but suffer multiple key injuries
The Detroit Lions have completed their most successful regular season in 30 years Sunday by defeating the Minnesota Vikings, 30-20.
Now, the NFC North Division champion Lions will get set for the first-ever playoff game at Ford Field next Saturday, Sunday or Monday vs. either the Los Angeles Rams or Green Bay Packers. They'll find that out later Sunday after both teams finish their 4:25 p.m. games. It will be the franchise's first playoff appearance since 2016.
The Lions (12-5) tied the franchise record for wins, albeit in an extra game — the 1991 Lions went 12-4 and then won the franchise's only playoff game since 1957.
Sam LaPorta (2 yards), Jahmyr Gibbs (3 yards), David Montgomery (1-yard) and Amon-Ra St. Brown (70 yards) scored touchdowns for the Lions, sending the Vikings (7-10) to their sixth loss over the final seven games and eliminating them from the postseason.
But LaPorta injured his knee and later, Kalif Raymond did as well. Both were ruled out for the game. St. Brown (ribs) and Brian Branch (wrist) both were banged up but returned to play.
MORE: Detroit Lions NFL playoff history: 5 greatest wins all-time
This story will be updated shortly.
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions hold off Vikings 30-20, but suffer multiple key injuries
