DETROIT (Interstat) — The Minnesota Vikings built an early three-touchdown lead and then withstood a furious second-half rally from the Detroit Lions, escaping Ford Field with a 27-24 victory on Sunday in a key NFC North matchup.

A crowd of 64,642 watched as the Vikings improved to 4-4, while the Lions fell to 5-3, snapping a two-game winning streak.

The game unfolded in starkly different halves. The Vikings dominated the first quarter, scoring on their first two possessions to seize immediate control. After forcing a Lions punt on the opening drive, Minnesota quarterback J.J. McCarthy needed just five plays to find Justin Jefferson for a 10-yard touchdown pass, capping a 64-yard drive.

The Vikings defense then set the tone, forcing a quick three-and-out. On the ensuing possession, McCarthy engineered another efficient drive, culminating in a 7-yard touchdown pass to tight end T.J. Hockenson. In less than six minutes of game time, the Vikings had built a 14-0 lead, stunning the home crowd.

Detroit responded on their next drive, with quarterback Jared Goff connecting with his favorite target, Sam LaPorta, on a 40-yard touchdown strike to cut the deficit to 14-7. But the Vikings’ early explosion had already established a cushion they would rely on later.

The second quarter saw both teams trade scores. The Lions methodically marched 72 yards on 13 plays, with David Montgomery punching in a 2-yard touchdown run to bring Detroit within a score at 17-14. Minnesota answered with a 50-yard field goal from Will Reichard just before halftime to take a 20-14 lead into the break, but not before McCarthy threw a pair of interceptions, including one to Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold, to keep the Lions within striking distance.

Minnesota extended its lead early in the third quarter. After a drive that featured a key 31-yard connection from McCarthy to Jordan Addison, the quarterback finished it himself, scrambling for a 9-yard touchdown to push the Vikings’ advantage to 27-14.

From there, the Lions’ defense stiffened and their offense began to find a rhythm. Goff, who finished 25 of 37 for 284 yards and two touchdowns, began to methodically move the ball, primarily through the air to Amon-Ra St. Brown and LaPorta. The Lions chipped away at the lead with a 41-yard field goal from Jake Bates late in the third quarter, making it 27-17.

The fourth quarter became a defensive struggle. The Vikings’ offense was stymied by a relentless Detroit pass rush, led by sacks from Aidan Hutchinson, Derrick Barnes, Jack Campbell, Tyler Lacy, and Al-Quadin Muhammad. Minnesota managed only a 20-yard Reichard field goal after a goal-line stand by the Lions’ defense prevented a touchdown, making the score 30-17 with just over three minutes remaining.

That set the stage for a dramatic finish. Goff led the Lions on a rapid 69-yard scoring drive, highlighted by a 34-yard completion to Jameson Williams, who made a spectacular catch along the sideline to set up first-and-goal. Two plays later, Goff found Williams for a 3-yard touchdown pass, pulling Detroit to within 30-24 with 1:55 left on the clock.

The Lions attempted an onside kick, but Minnesota recovered. The Vikings were then able to run out the clock, with McCarthy taking three kneel-downs to seal the victory, handing Detroit its first home loss of the season.

Statistically, the Vikings were led by a balanced rushing attack, with Aaron Jones Sr. gaining 78 yards on just nine carries. McCarthy finished an efficient 14 of 25 for 143 yards with two touchdowns through the air and another on the ground, though his two second-quarter interceptions nearly proved costly.

For the Lions, Goff’s primary targets were St. Brown, who caught nine passes for 97 yards, and LaPorta, who had six receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown. The Lions’ ground game was largely contained, with Montgomery gaining 40 yards and a score.

Defensively, Lions linebacker Jack Campbell was everywhere, recording a game-high nine tackles and a sack. For the Vikings, linebacker Blake Cashman anchored the defense with 14 total tackles.

The result defied pregame projections, as Interstat’s game simulator had projected a Detroit victory by a score of 29-23, and its ELO system gave the Lions a 90.10 percent probability to win. Despite being 8.5-point underdogs, the Vikings managed to secure the upset. The total points of 51 also went under the betting over/under line of 48.5.

The Vikings will look to build on the win when they host the Baltimore Ravens next Sunday. The Lions, meanwhile, will aim to rebound on the road against the Washington Commanders. The two division rivals are scheduled to meet again on Christmas Day in Minneapolis.