Game 272
It happened
Game 272
They did it. I am about to say something that has never been said. The Detroit Lions are the Number One seed and have earned a first-round bye. Like Coach Campbell said in the Week 17 locker room video, there will be a time to reflect on the season and all the accomplishments. But not today…
Teetering the line between confident and pessimistic. Sam Darnold played his worst game of the season. He missed a couple of touchdowns that could have given the Vikings a 21-10 team and who is to say they are not able to ride that lead out in the second half. The Detroit Lions offense in the first half, did not look great either. The Lions had one touchdown drive and a field goal drive at the end of the first half aided by Vikings Kicker Will Reichard kicking the ball out of bounds. The Minnesota Vikings did not play their game against the Detroit Lions, they played the Lions game. Aggressive fourth down decision making instead of taking points. The Lions held them to six points on four trips to the redzone, all without committing a turnover. The most conservative of coaches would have kicked field goals and would have accumulated points. We know that is not the Detroit Lions, that not how they play. The Vikings looked like they were cosplaying the Detroit Lions.
Alex Anzalone being back in the lineup changed how the defense looked. They had their signal called back and were able to play much more nickel than base packages, everyone seemed to fit right back in where they belong. I hate to say Alex was the straw that stirs the drink, but they played a lot better in a game that meant everything than the meaningless game against the San Francisco 49ers. A game that I thought was their worst defensive performance of the year. Specifically, the linebackers, they were very susceptible to play-action from Brock Purdy, and their heavy man coverage. Against the Vikings it was a night and day difference. Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn ramped up the pressure and Cover 1 Cover 0 looks. They generated pressures but only generated two sacks of Sam Darnold. They were able to work some great stunts, and Al-Quadin Muhammad was instrumental in the pass rush on his snaps. The story of the defense can not be told without Amik Robertson, a man who has been battling Justin Jefferson since their youth back in Louisiana. He held the four-time pro bowler to two catches for 66 yards. In years past Jefferson averaged 218 yards against the Detroit Lions and after watching him in person there is no doubt in my mind that he is the best Receiver in the NFL. Darnold had multiple overthrows that should have been touchdowns to Jefferson, but we will not complain about the win. Amik earned a well-deserved game ball from both NBC and Dan Campbell.
The Story of this game in the second half was, “The Detroit People Movers” The offensive line wore down on the Minnesota Vikings defense. They played Detroit Lions football. They were able to run the ball effectively in the second half. Normally the Lions do creative things with Penei Sewell, but this game was straight forward, they attempted to get him out in space a couple times but the story in the trenches was Frank Ragnow and Harrison Phillips. He was able to take him on one on one most reps allowing the guards to double team either side of the ball on run plays and reach the second level to block either Josh Metellus or Ivan Pace Jr. The Detroit People Movers combined with Jahmyr Gibbs speed and vision won the Detroit Lions the game. Jahmyr was magnificent. The play I will highlight is the Texas route he ran on 4th and 2 with 2:32 left in the third quarter. The game at this point was a 10-9 Detroit Lions lead, and this play he cooked Andrew Van Ginkel in coverage to go into the endzone untouched. Changing the momentum of the game. He capped his record setting night with his fourth touchdown 12 minutes later in the game to put the Lions up 31-9. His fourth touchdown of the night and 20th on the season. This run looked like a David Montgomery rush, getting beyond the line meeting a defender refusing to go down and allowed his offensive line to push him into the endzone. Keeping his feet churning so much high school coaches around the country will be showing this as an example to never give up on the play. Jahmyr Gibbs set the Franchise record for most touchdowns scored in a season at 20 and Joined Barry sanders as the only players in franchise history to score four touchdowns in a single game. It was a special night for Jahmyr, when you are doing things, Barry did that is a special accomplishment. I am so glad he is the franchise record holder now.
What is next for the Lions is a first-round bye, not playing on wildcard weekend is something we as Detroit fans are used to but not for this reason. It will be fun to watch the NFC Playoffs and Ideally the best matchup for the Lions in the divisional round would be the Washington Commanders. Jayden Daniels is incredible, and he will win the rookie of the year, this is the best matchup for the Lions possible opponents for the Lions are Rams, Vikings, Commanders, and Packers. Ideally, I would like to avoid the Division opponents this postseason, and the Rams and the Bucs but the road to the Super Bowl will not be easy. We will have a clearer idea of who the Lions will be playing in the Divisional round Sunday night and if it goes chalk and it comes down to the Monday Night Wild Card Game. Either team will have a short week and must travel to Detroit for that game. The Lions will be taking on the lowest remaining seed in the Divisional round. If the Packers defeat the eagles, we will be playing them. A divisional round of Lions vs Commanders and Eagles verses Vikings or Rams sounds great to me.