Detroit, MI
Detroit Lions wrapped up regular season with a win after beating Vikings
Sam LaPorta had a 2-yard touchdown catch midway through the first quarter but later limped off the field with a knee injury, an ominous development for the NFC North champion Detroit Lions as they closed out the regular season with a 30-20 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
Detroit (12-5) matched a franchise record for wins and will host a playoff game for the first time since the 1993 season when it played at the Pontiac Silverdome.
The Lions will spend the upcoming week hoping LaPorta, who set an NFL record for receptions by a rookie tight end with 86, is healthy enough to help them earn a second playoff victory since winning the 1957 league title.
Detroit coach Dan Campbell opted to play all his starters even though the best the Lions could hope for was to improve their playoff seeding from No. 3 to No. 2 in the NFC. They needed the Cowboys to lose at Washington later Sunday for that to happen.
Minnesota (7-10) was eliminated from playoff contention, losing four straight games and six of seven in a season stunted by Kirk Cousins’ torn Achilles tendon and the team’s inability to replace him.
Nick Mullens, one of three quarterbacks to start for the Vikings’ over their final five games, lofted a 38-yard touchdown pass to Justin Jefferson in the final minute of the third quarter and had a 42-yard pass to Jordan Addison for another score on his next possession to keep Minnesota within a touchdown.
Jared Goff, who completed 23 of 32 passes for 320 yards without a turnover, threw his second TD pass on a 70-yard toss to Amon-Ra St. Brown in the fourth. He also set the Lions up for Michael Badgley’s 39-yard field goal that gave them a 30-20 lead with 8:14 left.
Mullens threw interceptions to Cam Sutton and C.J. Gardner-Johnson late in the fourth, ending Minnesota’s comeback hopes. He finished 30 of 44 for 396 yards.
As usual, Jefferson did his part for the Vikings.
He had a career-high-matching 12 catches for a season-high 192 yards and a score. Jefferson, who missed seven games with a hamstring injury, joined Wes Chandler (1982) and Jim Benton (1945) as the only players in league history to have 1,000 yards receiving in 10 or fewer games.
INJURY REPORT
Vikings: OG Ed Ingram (shoulder) was not cleared to play after being listed as questionable, joining OT Brian O’Neill (ankle) and with CBs Mekhi Blackmon (shoulder) and Byron Murphy (knee) on the inactive list.
Lions: LaPorta’s injury looms large. Return specialist Kalif Ray was also ruled out during the game with a knee injury.
UP NEXT
Vikings: Missed the playoffs for third time in four years, failing to earn consecutive postseason bids for the first time since the 2008 and 2009 seasons.
Lions: Host a playoff game at Ford Field for the first time, aiming to win postseason game for the first time since beating Dallas on Jan. 5, 1992.
Watch Steve Yzerman, Todd McLellan thoughts on 2025-26 Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman and coach Todd McLellan on April 23, 2026 in Detroit.
There was a little moment of levity at the end of the press conference held by general manager Steve Yzerman and coach Todd McLellan to discuss the 2025-26 Detroit Red Wings.
They had just wrapped up about 45 minutes of answering reporters’ questions on Thursday, April 23 when a last, lighthearted one was lobbed at McLellan. He’d been fidgeting with his notebook, and was asked if reporters could see it. “You won’t be able to read it,” McLellan said, smiling.
“It’s not worth looking at,” Yzerman said, laughing. “I’ve seen it all year.”
Ultimately, the notes on this season’s squad could be summed up by three words: iot good enough. That’s as a group. Individually, some players fared well in their final grades – Alex DeBrincat, for one, aced things with the way he competed and produced.
Here, then, are the final grades for the men who finished the season with the Red Wings.
F Mason Appleton: D
Stats: 6 goals, 8 assists, minus-4 rating in 65 games.
Contract: $2.9 million average annual value through 2026-27.
Buzz: Was supposed bring an edge and a bit of scoring, but made next to no impact in the second half, with just three points from the start of January.
D Jacob Bernard-Docker: C
Stats: 1 goal, 4 assists, even rating in 63 games.
Contract: $1.6 million AAV through 2027-28.
Buzz: Serviceable third-pairing defenseman.
D Ben Chiarot: B
Stats: 5 goals, 10 assists, minus-9 in 82 games.
Contract: $3.85 million AAV through 2028-29.
The buzz: Generally gives a hard effort, and plays with an edge.
F J.T. Compher: D
Stats: 11 goals, 17 assists, minus-13 in 82 games.
Contract: $5.1 million AAV through 2027-28.
Buzz: Not good enough to play in the top six, doesn’t contribute enough in the bottom six.
F Andrew Copp: C+
Stats: 9 goals, 34 assists, plus-3 in 79 games.
Contract: $5.625 million AAV through 2026-27.
Buzz: Found a role centering the second line but needs to be more consistent.
F Alex DeBrincat: A
Stats: 41 goals, 44 assists, plus-8 in 82 games.
Contract: $7.875 million AAV through 2026-27.
Buzz: Shows up every shift, always plays competitive hockey and the most consistent scoring threat on the team.
D Simon Edvinsson: B+
Stats: 9 goals, 16 assists, plus-12 in 72 games.
Contract: Restricted free agent.
Buzz: Big and rangy and works hard, but really needs to work on taking fewer penalties, because he had some doozies.
D Justin Faulk: B
Stats: 5 goals, 3 assists, minus-5 in 17 games with Wings.
Contract: $6.5 million AAV through 2026-27.
Buzz: Came in at the trade deadline and immediately improved the top-four defense corps at both ends of the ice.
F Emmitt Finnie: B+
Stats: 13 goals, 17 assists, minus-10 in 82 games.
Contract: $821,667 AAV through 2027-28.
Buzz: The rookie overall did well, though there were times during the season the former seventh-round pick faded. Much more suited to playing on a third line than on the first.
G John Gibson: A-
Stats: 29-22-4 with a 2.72 goals-against average and .901 save percentage in 57 games.
Contract: $6.4 million AAV through 2027-28.
Buzz: Let’s be clear – since he found his groove at Thanksgiving, Gibson was the reason the Wings looked like they were going to make the playoffs. He bailed out his teammates time and again, only slipping a bit towards the end.
D Travis Hamonic: D
Stats: 2 assists, minus-11 in 26 games.
Contract: Unrestricted free agent.
Buzz: Spent most of his time as a healthy scratch.
D Albert Johansson: C+
Stats: 3 goals, 8 assists, minus-18 in 82 games.
Contract: $1.125 million AAV through 2026-27.
Buzz: Could be harder against opponents considering he does not see top matchups.
F Patrick Kane: B+
Stats: 16 goals, 41 assists, minus-1 in 67 games.
Contract: Unrestricted free agent.
Buzz: The 37-year-old was the team’s second-leading scorer with 25 points the last 26 games (behind DeBrincat’s 28). A clutch performer whose biggest issue is staying healthy, but at around $3 million, he’s well worth the investment.
F Marco Kasper: C-
Stats: 9 goals, 10 assists, minus-20 in 81 games.
Contract: $886,666 AAV through 2026-27.
Buzz: There was a slight uptick in his second-half play, but all in all, a disappointing sophomore season from a player the Wings hope can develop into a solid two-way center.
F Dylan Larkin: B+
Stats: 34 goals, 33 assists, plus-3 in 74 games.
Contract: $8.7 million AAV through 2030-31.
Buzz: Dealt with injuries down the stretch, but his work ethic never faltered. For those who don’t think he’s a No. 1 center, name 32 who are better.
F Carter Mazur: C+
Stats: No points, minus-3 in eight games.
Contract: Restricted free agent.
Buzz: Brought energy, but was put in a tough position when he was asked to help a team flailing after his call-up in late March.
F David Perron: D
Stats: 3 goals, minus-9 in 16 games with the Wings.
Contract: Unrestricted free agent.
Buzz: After undergoing sports hernia surgery in January, the trade-deadline acquisition just wasn’t able to bring the energy or scoring the Wings sought from their popular former teammate.
F Michael Rasmussen: D
Stats: 6 goals, 8 assists, minus-10 in 64 games.
Contract: $3.2 million AAV through 2027-28.
Buzz: Doesn’t bring nearly enough to the lineup. Had one point in the 28 games from Jan. 1 to the end of the season.
F Lucas Raymond: B
Stats: 25 goals, 51 assists, plus-1 in 80 games.
Contract: $8.075 million AAV through 2031-32.
Buzz: For a second straight year, he faltered coming out of an international event in February (4 Nations Face-Off in 2025, Olympics in 2026), with just 16 points the last 24 games.
D Axel Sandin-Pellikka: C
Stats: 7 goals, 14 assists, minus-20 in 68 games.
Contract: $918,333 AAV through 2027-28.
Buzz: Tons of talent, but the rookie’s risky maneuvers were anxiety-inducing.
D Moritz Seider: A
Stats: 10 goals, 50 assists, plus-15 in 82 games.
Contract: $8.55 million AAV through 2030-31.
The buzz: An absolute gem who delivers in all facets of the game. Had a career season, stats-wise
F Dominik Shine: C+
Stats: 3 goals, even rating in 18 games.
Contract: $875,000 AAV through 2027-28.
Buzz: Provided energy as a grinder.
G Cam Talbot: C
Stats: 12-9-6 with a 3.19 GAA and .883 save percentage in 34 games.
Contract: Unrestricted free agent.
Buzz: Wasn’t relied on much down the stretch and faced some tough assignments.
F James van Riemsdyk: C
Stats: 15 goals, 16 assists, minus-17 in 72 games.
Contract: Unrestricted free agents.
Buzz: 15 goals for $1 million (his salary in 2025-26) is quite respectable, but there was only one goal after the Olympic break. Plays big and goes to the net, like Tomas Holmstrom could attest, but he can’t be effective in that spot if teammates don’t get the puck there.
Coaching staff: B
Buzz: Todd McLellan and his staff emphasized three things from the start of camp: Be tougher to play against physically, mental toughness and game management. There were signs of improvement and resilience from players, but also signs of not being able to implement those facets when it mattered most – in March and April. McLellan and his staff has done the utmost to hold players accountable, and the failure to reach the playoffs reflects much more on players than McLellan.
Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@freepress.com.
Read more on the Detroit Red Wings and sign up for our Red Wings newsletter.
Her books: “The Franchise: Detroit Red Wings, A Curated History of Hockeytown,” and “On the Clock: Behind the Scenes with the Detroit Red Wings at the NHL Draft,” and “The Big 50: The Men and Moments that made the Detroit Red Wings” are available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Triumph Books. Personalized copies available via her e-mail.
The Detroit Lions’ 2026 NFL draft class is in the books, and the team used seven draft picks to fill needs and add depth throughout the roster. General manager Brad Holmes got to work in the middle of the first round by grabbing their right tackle of the future, and then snagged a high upside edge in the second round. On Day 3, Detroit added more depth at linebacker, corner, slot receiver, and added a couple of defensive linemen.
Here’s a look at the team’s 2026 draft class:
Throughout the offseason, SB Nation will host surveys for NFL fans, sponsored by the folks over at FanDuel Sportsbook, who currently have the Lions listed as +1800 to win this year’s Super Bowl, +850 to win the NFC Championship, and +150 to win the NFC North as the current favorites.
For Pride of Detroit, we are tasked with fielding questions from Lions fans, and with the NFL Draft now in the rearview mirror, our question for this week’s survey is…
How would you grade the Lions’ 2026 NFL Draft?
Please vote in the survey below, share your feedback in the comments, and check back on Monday for the results.
Throughout the year, we ask questions of the most plugged-in Detroit Lions fans and fans across the country. If you want to get these surveys emailed to you weekly, you can sign up here.
Derrick Moore looks like a good pick for Detroit Lions in Round 2
Dave Birkett and Rainer Sabin break down the Detroit Lions’ selection of Derrick Moore in the second round on Friday, April 24, 2026.
The Detroit Lions addressed two of their greatest needs during the first two days of the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller in the first round and Michigan edge defender Derrick Moore in the second.
“We’re all about building from the inside, out,” general manager Brad Holmes said Friday, April 24. “When you get the guys you love and they happen to play the trenches as well, that’s just a little bit of added bonus. We’ll definitely sleep good at night.”
When Holmes and the rest of the Lions’ executives wake up Saturday, they’ll have the opportunity to strengthen other sectors with their six remaining picks. Positions where they could seek reinforcements include safety, defensive tackle, tight end, running back and linebacker.
Here are 10 names to watch on Day 3:
Gracen Halton, Oklahoma DT
Halton was never a full-time starter at Oklahoma. But when he was on the field, he was a disruptive force. Last season, he produced 3½ sacks and 30 pressures – the second-highest total on the Sooners. He was also a reliable run stopper. He could conceivably fill the void left by Roy Lopez, a rotational interior lineman who rejoined the Arizona Cardinals in March.
Kaytron Allen, Penn State RB
Allen is a productive and powerful ball carrier who appeared in 54 games over his college career. During each of his last two seasons at Penn State, he rushed for more than 1,000 yards. He could fit well in new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing’s downhill running scheme. A bonus: He is durable.
Dallen Bentley, Utah TE
A natural athlete, Bentley emerged as a productive contributor for Kyle Whittingham during the new Michigan coach’s final year in Salt Lake City. A better receiver than blocker, Bentley caught 48 passes for 648 yards and six touchdowns in 2025. No drops in 76 targets last season offer proof that Bentley has reliable hands.
Keionte Scott, Miami CB/S
Scott’s age may be a turnoff, considering he will turn 25 in August. But his physical style and position flexibility could pique the Lions’ interest. Last season, Scott produced five sacks – the second-highest total by any defensive back in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Eli Heidenreich, Navy RB
The Lions like players with versatile skill sets. When they drafted Jahmyr Gibbs in 2023, they saw him more as an all-around talent than a traditional running back. While Heidenreich is not nearly as gifted as Gibbs, he fits a similar profile as an all-purpose player who functions well as a runner and pass-catcher.
Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh LB
Louis sparks intrigue because he operates like a defensive Swiss Army knife. He possesses the skills of a safety, which give him an edge at linebacker. With NFL teams employing more nickel formations, Louis could provide the Lions more flexibility to adjust their tactics. Widely projected as a Day 2 pick, Louis is still on the board.
Rayshaun Benny, Michigan DT
After the Lions traded up to draft Moore in the second round Friday, could the Lions take another member of Michigan’s 2025 defense this weekend? Benny could be one they target, given that he is a powerful player with a track record as a reliable run-stuffer. With Lopez and DJ Reader no longer on the roster, the Lions could use more beef on the interior and Benny – a Detroit native – could provide value as a solid depth piece.
Pat Coogan, Indiana, C
The Lions solidified the middle of their offensive line during free agency, signing Cade Mays. But it wouldn’t hurt to add more depth at center. Coogan could be a good option in the late rounds. While he is not the best athlete, he is cerebral and technically sound.
VJ Payne, Kansas State S
The 6-foot-3, 206-pound Payne, who was a team captain at Kansas State, has an intriguing physical profile that could interest the Lions. He would help buttress a position that is a bit of a question with starters Kerby Joseph (knee) and Brian Branch (Achilles) working their way back from season-ending injuries in 2025.
Harold Perkins Jr., LSU LB
The Lions seek out players with elite athletic traits. Perkins has them. He also possesses positional versatility, having played as an inside linebacker and edge rusher. Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, an LSU alum, could find creative ways to utilize Perkins’ skillset.
Contact Rainer Sabin at rsabin@freepress.com.
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