MINNEAPOLIS — The Detroit Lions are going to the NFL playoffs by the hair on their mane.
The Lions on Sunday defeated the Minnesota Vikings, 30-24 , to win their first-ever NFC North title and first division crown since 1993 . They will host a playoff game for the first time at Ford Field, likely in the second week of January, ending their six-year playoff drought.
Rookie sensation Jahmyr Gibbs rushed for two touchdowns, and the defense intercepted Vikings reserve quarterback Nick Mullens four times, with safety Ifeatu Melifonwu securing the game-winner at the goal line on a badly underthrown ball with 49 seconds left at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The Lions (11-4) can take control of the NFC's No. 2 seed Saturday night with a win at the Dallas Cowboys , who are 7-0 at home. The Lions are 6-2 on the road.
This story will be updated shortly.
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com . Follow him @davebirkett .
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions take NFC North with nail-biting 30-24 win at Vikings
