DETROIT — Missed opportunities in the red zone, misfires on special teams and a major momentum swing helped pull the rug out from the Vikings in the 2024 regular-season finale.

The Vikings fell 31-9 to the Lions, who defended their NFC North crown and den by keeping Minnesota out of the end zone. Detroit won back-to-back division titles for the first time since the 1950s and improved to 2-0 against Minnesota this season.

The Vikings never led, despite having several opportunities to put points on the board, and will be the No. 5 seed with a road game at the Los Angeles Rams on Monday, Jan. 13, to conclude the Wild Card Round of the NFC Playoffs.

Detroit earned the No. 1 seed, as well as a first-round bye and homefield advantage.

The Vikings went 0-for-4 in the red zone, which included an 0-for-3 showing in goal-to-go situations.

Minnesota's first four plays from the Detroit 5-yard line resulted in a 2-yard run and three consecutive incompletions, including one that was too high for Justin Jefferson.

The Vikings quickly had another chance in the second quarter after an interception by Ivan Pace, Jr., after the ball was tipped by Joshua Metellus.

The Vikings attempted three consecutive passes to Jefferson. The first was broken up by Amik Robertson, and the next two were high, including a third-down play when Jefferson was wide open but pressure appeared to affect Sam Darnold's throw, and the ball again was high.

Detroit, conversely, rolled in the red zone, with a perfect 3-for-3 showing that included a 1-for-1 with a goal-to-go.

Here are four more observations presented by Minnesota Eye Consultants, the Proud LASIK Partner of the Minnesota Vikings, followed by a scoring summary:

1. Fourth downs sway momentum

Detroit's track record of going for it on fourth down in the Dan Campbell era is well-established.

Entering Sunday's game, Campbell instructed the offense to stay on the field and attempt to convert on fourth down on 147 occasions since 2021. Detroit succeeded 82 times (55.8%). Both pace the NFL in that time frame.

Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell, who was hired in 2022, had gone for it on fourth down 58 times and converted 32 (55.2%) prior to Sunday's game.

The Lions entered the game with 20 conversions of fourth downs in 2024 and added to that on their first attempt of the night.

Detroit converted two of four fourth downs Sunday night.

Goff was able to deliver a strike to Jameson Williams for a gain of 14 on fourth-and-5 just before taking a huge hit from Joshua Metellus.

The Lions followed the momentum play with a 25-yard touchdown by Jahmyr Gibbs on the next snap.

Gibbs finished with 139 rushing yards and three scores on the ground, as well as a receiving touchdown.

Minnesota's offense went 0-for-3 on fourth downs.

2. Picky, picky (and almost pickier)

In addition to the interception by Pace, Harrison Smith nabbed the 37^th interception of his career.

The safety played deep centerfield and tracked the ball, coming down with it at the Minnesota 46 early in the third quarter.

Minnesota was able to kick a 51-yard field goal at the end of that possession to make it 10-9 with 9:55 left in the third quarter, but Detroit followed with a 13-play, 70-yard touchdown drive that lasted 7:25.

The Vikings next possession resulted in a missed 51-yard field goal.

Minnesota nearly got another chance with its third interception of the night, but Andrew Van Ginkel tipped the ball with his left hand on a quick pass by Detroit. He nearly secured the catch but it bounced off, preventing him from his third interception of the season.

The Vikings recorded at least one takeaway in every game this season, setting a new franchise record of 17 games.

3. Darnold off the mark

Darnold has been so on the mark with his passes but had his most erratic game of 2024.

He finished 18-of-41 passing with 166 yards and a passer rating of 55.5, which was 50 points lower than his season average.

There were drops, but there also were several throws that seemed to be higher than they normally are.

4. Disappointing end of half sequence

The Vikings had clawed back with a 31-yard field goal to make it 7-6 with only 20 seconds remaining in the first half but allowed the Lions to answer.

Minnesota's Will Reichard angled his kickoff toward the goal line, but it was too wayward and landed out of bounds, resulting in Detroit getting the ball at its 40-yard line instead of the 30 had the Vikings tried to blast the ball through the end zone.

Jared Goff found Amon-Ra St. Brown for a gain of 19 in front of the Lions bench, and the play only took five seconds off the clock.

From the Minnesota 41, Goff connected with Kalif Raymond for a gain of 11, getting well within range for Jake Bates, who was true from 48 yards for a 10-6 lead as the first half expired.

Earlier in the game, Bates succeeded in placing a kickoff in the landing zone before the ball bounced into the end zone. Minnesota took a knee, but because the ball had landed in the end zone, the Vikings got the ball at their 20 instead of their 30.

The ensuing possession began with a loss of 17 on a sack.