DETROIT — Jared Goff threw for 330 yards and three touchdowns, leading the surging Detroit Lions to a 34-23 win over the NFC North-leading Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
The Vikings (10-3) needed a win or tie to clinch the division title. Kirk Cousins threw for 425 yards, including a franchise-record 223 to Justin Jefferson on 11 catches. But Dalvin Cook ran for just 23 yards on 15 carries, and the Vikings couldn’t stop Goff.
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The Lions (6-7) have won five of six, their best stretch since their last postseason appearance in 2016.
The Lions invested a lot to give Goff deep-play threats this season, signing DJ Chark in free agency and trading up to draft Jameson Williams with the 12th pick. The moves finally paid off against the Vikings.
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Goff started the scoring with a 41-yard touchdown pass to Williams, whose first NFL reception was his first catch since injuring his left knee 11 months ago playing for Alabama in the national championship game.
Goff threw a 48-yard, tiebreaking touchdown to Chark, who signed a one-year, $10 million deal after an injury-shortened season with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Chark finished with a season-high six catches and 94 yards.
Goff, who completed 27 of 39 passes, gave the Lions a two-touchdown lead in the third quarter with a 5-yard pass to Josh Reynolds after coach Dan Campbell called a fake punt from his 26.
On another trick play, Goff converted on third-and-7 from the Minnesota 41 with a 9-yard pass to offensive tackle Penei Sewell, who was an eligible receiver sent in motion, to set up Michael Badgley’s field goal with 17 seconds left.
On the opening possession, Cook was stopped on fourth-and-1 near midfield in a preview of what was to come. He also fumbled at the Detroit 6 late in the first half.
Cousins was 30 of 40 with touchdowns to K.J. Osborn and Adam Thielen.
Vikings: Starting FS Harrison Smith (neck), C Garrett Bradbury (back) and OT Christian Darrisaw (concussion) were inactive after being listed as questionable. … The banged-up offensive line took another hit in the fourth quarter when Blake Brandel left with a knee injury. … CB Cameron Dantzler (ankle) returned from a four-game absence on IR and seemed to get beat deep on the Lions touchdown passes in the first half.
Lions: Key backups OLB Derrick Barnes (knee) and OG Evan Brown (ankle) were inactive.
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Vikings: Host the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday.
Lions: Visit the New York Jets on Sunday.
