J.J. McCarthy was hailed by teammates in a jubilant locker room after leading the Minnesota Vikings to a much-needed, 27-24 win over the Detroit Lions on Sunday.“It was awesome,” McCarthy said, choking up.

The Vikings defense generated a pressure rate of 47.6% and a season-high five sacks in their Week 9 win over the Lions, with 10 different defenders recording at least one pressure. Eric Wilson led the team with six pressures and two sacks on 17 pass rushes. #MINvsDET | #Skol pic.twitter.com/4qFOPjXPnD

The SportsLine Projection Model agrees with two legs of the SGP above, as it backs Lions -8.5 and the Over on 47.5 Detroit covers the spread in 54% of simulations, and the Over hits in 58% of simulations. The model is backing Minnesota on the money line, though, as the Vikings win in 26% of simulations to bring value as +368 underdogs.

The Lions also struggled in the running game. The Vikings give quarterbacks fits with their varied blitz packages, but teams have been able to run against them. David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, though, managed 65 yards on 20 carries with a long of 11 yards.

Detroit Lions guard Christian Mahogany is dealing with an injury in the fourth quarter of the Week 9 game against the Minnesota Vikings. Here are the latest updates.

Detroit’s five-game winning streak against the Vikings was snapped in the process. The Lions entered as heavy favorites, but a sleepy, sloppy showing doomed them for most of the day.

Former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy threw two touchdown passes in his third career start and the Lions struggled to sustain offensive possessions for the third straight game as the Vikings upset the Lions, 27-24, at Ford Field.

Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph wore a Mario costume on the sidelines ahead of the game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025 at Ford Field in Detroit. Joseph was ruled out because on an ongoing knee injury.