Lions–Vikings rivalry
The Lions–Vikings rivalry is an American football rivalry between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings.[1]
Detroit Lions
Minnesota Vikings
| |
| First meeting | November 19, 1961 Lions 37, Vikings 10 |
|---|---|
| Latest meeting | January 3, 2021 Vikings 37, Lions 35 |
| Statistics | |
| Meetings total | 119 |
| All-time series | Vikings, 78–39–2 |
| Largest victory | Lions, 45–7 (1981) |
| Longest win streak | Vikings, 13 (1968–74) |
| Current win streak | Vikings, 7 (2017–present) |
The Lions and Vikings have played twice annually since the Vikings entered the league’s Western Conference in 1961. The two teams moved to the NFC Central after the AFL-NFL merger in 1970, which became the NFC North after the NFL's 2002 realignment. This is the only NFC North rivalry without any head-to-head postseason meetings. Both teams play in indoor stadiums, and both are known for their bad luck.
Since the rivalry's establishment with the Vikings joining the NFL in 1961, Minnesota has largely dominated the series. The most lopsided decades were in the 1970s and 2000s, with the Vikings going 35–5 against the Lions in those two decades. However, the presence of quarterback Matthew Stafford in Detroit made the Lions a more formidable opponent in the 2010s. The Vikings lead the series 78–39–2 as of 2020.[2]
Game results
| Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings Season-by-Season Results | |
|---|---|
1960s (Lions, 9–7–2)
| |
1970s (Vikings, 17–3)
| |
1980s (Vikings, 13–6)
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1990s (Tie, 10–10)
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2000s (Vikings, 18–2)
| |
2010s (Vikings, 11–9)
| |
2020s (Vikings, 2–0)
| |
Summary of Results
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See also
Other rivalries involving the two teams:
References
- Sanders, Charlie; Paladino, Larry (2005). Charlie Sanders's Tales from the Detroit Lions. ISBN 9781582619101.
- Glover, Ted (2018-12-21). "A brief look at Vikings/Lions history". Daily Norseman. SB Nation. Retrieved 2019-12-24.