The Detroit Lions clinched their first division title in 30 years, utilizing two speeding touchdowns from Jahmyr Gibbs and 106 receiving yards and a third-quarter go-ahead rating by Amon-Ra St. Brown to overhaul the injury-ravaged Minnesota Vikings 30-24 on Sunday.
Ifeatu Melifonwu picked off Nick Mullens on the 5-yard line with 49 seconds left for Detroit’s fourth interception of the sport, an off-target move to an open Justin Jefferson three performs after his leaping seize in double protection on third-and-27 stored the last-minute drive alive.
Justin Jefferson surprises Kirk Cousins with new chain on reside TV
Jared Goff handed for 257 yards with no turnover and David Montgomery had a speeding landing for the Lions (11-4) in one other prolific efficiency by one of many NFL‘s most potent offenses. Detroit secured a house playoff sport for the primary time in 22 seasons at Ford Area, the place an NFC North champions banner will quickly cling. The final one was for successful the NFC Central in 1993.
Mullens threw for 2 scores, a diving 26-yard catch by Jefferson with 29 seconds left within the first half and a 6-yard toss to Ok.J. Osborn that gave the Vikings a 21-17 lead early within the third quarter one play after a 47-yard heave to Osborn. However just like the week earlier than in an extra time loss at Cincinnati, the turnovers weighed closely on the end result. Kerby Joseph‘s first of two picks gave the Lions the ball on the Minnesota 33 within the second quarter, they usually reached the tip zone in three performs.
Goff was sharp in a redemptive sport for him towards Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, whose schemes had given him loads of bother in earlier matchups with New England and Miami when Goff was with the Los Angeles Rams, together with Tremendous Bowl 53.
Justin Jefferson again dwelling
Jefferson performed at dwelling for the primary time since Oct. 8, when he damage his hamstring and missed seven video games, however the Vikings have had their depth examined greater than ever. Extensive receiver Jordan Addison (ankle, second quarter), tight finish T.J. Hockenson (knee, third quarter), cornerback Mekhi Blackmon (shoulder, third quarter) and edge rusher D.J. Wonnum (knee, fourth quarter) left with accidents.
The Vikings wore all-white uniforms as a part of their annual winter-themed promotion, which fell on a 54-degrees-and-rainy afternoon exterior U.S. Financial institution Stadium. That made the yellow flags on the sector stand out much more, notably throughout a pivotal sequence within the second quarter.
One play after he sacked Goff for an 11-yard loss, Patrick Jones was referred to as for a doubtful roughing-the-passer penalty that made the Vikings furious. The gang howled when Blackmon took a hand to the facemask that wasn’t referred to as.
Then afterward that very same drive, when Jordan Hicks hit Goff as he tried to let a move go, the ball tumbled out and Cam Bynum scooped it up for what would have been an 82-yard landing return. The decision was overturned to an incompletion, and the Lions continued on for a subject aim.
FOR THE RECORD
Jefferson (5,648 in 58 video games) handed Michael Thomas (5,512 in 63 video games) for essentially the most receiving yards in a participant’s first 4 seasons in historical past.
St. Brown (2022, 2023) joined Herman Moore (1995, 1996, 1997) as the one gamers in Lions historical past with a number of seasons of 100-plus receptions.
The Lions reached 11 wins for the primary time in 9 years. Their 20 victories because the begin of the 2022 seasons are essentially the most in franchise historical past in a two-year span.
INJURY REPORT
Lions: Joseph walked off woozily within the fourth quarter after an pointless roughness penalty on Jefferson throughout a 28-yard reception. Joseph tried to return in two performs later, however the officers despatched him again to the sideline. … Backup Josh Paschal (hand) was damage within the third quarter. … LB Derrick Barnes (shoulder), CB Jerry Jacobs (hamstring) and backup TE Brock Wright (groin) have been held out with accidents.
Vikings: Blackmon began rather than CB Byron Murphy (knee), who was damage within the earlier sport. … Backup WR Jalen Nailor (concussion) missed his second straight sport. … RB Alexander Mattison (ankle) and Hicks (shin) returned to the lineup from accidents.
UP NEXT
Lions: Go to Dallas subsequent Saturday evening.
Vikings: Host Inexperienced Bay subsequent Sunday evening.
