Detroit's Offensive Efficiency: The Lions' offense, led by quarterback Jared Goff, displayed impressive coordination and execution. They controlled the pace of the game with well-balanced plays, capitalizing on both the run and the pass.

Published: Jan 06, 2025 at 12:02 AM

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READ: Lions Secure No. 1 Seed in NFC Playoffs with Victory over Vikings

The road to the Super Bowl runs through Detroit. In a pivotal Game 272, a defensive battle ensued, as high-powered offenses on both sides were held in check. However, Jahmyr Gibbs cemented his status as an elite RB1, stepping up in the absence of David Montgomery and delivering a remarkable performance, scoring all four of the game’s touchdowns. With 139 yards on 23 carries and five receptions for 31 yards, Gibbs led the Lions’ offense. Meanwhile, Detroit’s defense came through in the clutch. Bolstered by the return of Alex Anzalone, the injury-depleted unit dominated, especially the pass rush, which kept Sam Darnold under constant pressure. Levi Onwuzurike led the charge with seven pressures. The secondary stifled Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, limiting them to just four catches for 54 yards combined. The expected high-scoring affair turned into a defensive grind, with Detroit emerging victorious to claim the NFC’s top seed.

Darnold and Vikings Offense Struggle
While Sam Darnold had the best season of his career, he faltered in the most crucial game. His performance in the first half was particularly poor, missing six consecutive passes from the Lions' 3-yard line on two drives. As a result, the Vikings only managed six points despite three red-zone appearances. By halftime, Darnold had completed just 9 of 20 passes for 93 yards. Although the Vikings' defense was solid for much of the game, Jahmyr Gibbs proved unstoppable. Darnold finished the game 18 of 41 for 166 yards, struggling under relentless pressure on nearly 49% of his dropbacks. The Vikings now head to Los Angeles to face the Rams in the playoffs next Monday, a team that handed them a controversial loss earlier in the season.

Lions' Bold Fourth-Down Decisions Secure Top Seed
Heading into Week 18, the Lions ranked fourth in the NFL with 29 fourth-down attempts, a testament to coach Dan Campbell's aggressive approach. On Sunday night, Detroit’s ability to convert key fourth downs played a pivotal role in their victory. The Lions were successful on 2 of 4 fourth-down attempts, both of which were crucial. Early in the game, facing a fourth-and-5 at the Vikings' 39-yard line, Jared Goff connected with Jameson Williams for 14 yards. On the next play, Jahmyr Gibbs ran 25 yards for a touchdown. Later, in the third quarter, the Lions converted a fourth-and-2 from the 10-yard line, and Gibbs scored again. This sparked a 21-point run that sealed the win, kept Minnesota from claiming the top seed, and gave Detroit a week of rest. With several key injuries, including the loss of first-round cornerback Terrion Arnold, the Lions will benefit from a much-needed break thanks to Campbell's bold playcalling.

Next Gen Stats Insight for Vikings-Lions (via NFL Pro)
Lions cornerback Amik Robertson had a standout performance against Justin Jefferson, holding the Pro Bowler to just three catches for 54 yards on seven targets. This marked Jefferson’s second-fewest receptions in a game this season.

NFL Research
The Vikings’ 14 wins are tied for the most wins by a team that didn’t secure the No. 1 seed in the NFC since seeding began in 1975. The last two teams in this situation — the 2004 New England Patriots and the 1998 Atlanta Falcons — both advanced to the Super Bowl. The 1986 Chicago Bears also had 14 wins but lost in the Divisional Round.

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