Vikings vs. Lions 2016 final score: Another 4th quarter comeback for Matthew Stafford and Detroit

The Detroit Lions have trailed in the fourth quarter in every game this season, and Thanksgiving Day against the Minnesota Vikings was no different. Detroit was able to rally in six of ten games prior to Thursday, and this week, the Lions added a seventh fourth quarter comeback win against the Vikings.

With under five minutes remaining and the Lions trailing by three points, Detroit had the ball backed up on its own 20-yard line. A 10-play, 68-yard drive capped by a Matt Prater field goal tied it up for the Lions, 13-13.

It looked like the game might go to overtime, but a timely Darius Slay interception with just 30 seconds left to play gifted the Lions the ball back. Another Prater field goal gave the Lions a seventh successful fourth quarter rally and a 16-13 victory.

Both offenses were sluggish throughout the game, and it showed in the final score.

Until the game-tying drive, the Lions only had 21 yards in the fourth quarter. Stafford finished with 232 yards and one touchdown. The Lions added 94 yards on the ground against a stout Vikings defense.

It didn’t go much better for Minnesota. The Vikings didn’t convert a third down until well into the third quarter. Sam Bradford threw for 224 yards with no touchdowns. Matt Asiata scored the Vikings’ only touchdown on a 5-yard run in the first quarter.

The Lions owned an NFL high mark of six comeback wins coming into Thursday’s game, and now Detroit has seven.

The win also ties Stafford for the highest number of fourth-quarter comeback wins in a single season with seven. He joins Peyton Manning and Eli Manning at the top of those rankings.

The Vikings fall to 6-5, and Minnesota’s playoff hopes are a little dimmer. The Lions strengthened their hold on the NFC North, improving to 7-4.