Lions keep playoff hopes alive with 34-28 win over Vikings

Vikings backup quarterback Joe Webb fumbled deep in Detroit territory in the final seconds as the Detroit Lions survived for a 34-28 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. Linebacker DeAndre Levy appeared to get away with grabbing Webb’s facemask before the fumble.

Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for two touchdowns in the first quarter to give Detroit one of its three-score leads, but the Vikings nearly rallied from a 31-14 halftime deficit.



The Lions (8-5), seeking to make the playoffs for the first time since the 1999 season, were in a tough spot after losing five of seven.

On first-and-goal from the 1 with 9 seconds left, a replay appeared to show Levy grabbing Webb’s facemask, but a flag wasn’t thrown. The ball popped free at the 11 and was batted back toward midfield by Detroit’s Stephen Tulloch. Webb ran it down and tried to pick it up, but the ball came loose again and Cliff Avril finally fell on it at the Minnesota 43 to end the game.

Detroit won at Minnesota, 26-23 in overtime earlier in the seaosn after trailing 20-0 at halftime. This time, Detroit led by 17 after two quarters despite making just five first downs and going 0-for-5 on third down.