Vikings-Lions on ‘Sunday Night Football’: What We Learned from Detroit’s win

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1. The road to the Super Bowl goes through Detroit. In a Game 272 heavyweight showdown, a defensive slugfest broke out, with high-powered offenses on each side stymied. However, Jahmyr Gibbs” data-link=”/players/jahmyr-gibbs/” data-slug=”jahmyr-gibbs”>Jahmyr Gibbs, continuing to prove he’s every bit an elite RB1 with David Montgomery” data-link=”/players/david-montgomery/” data-slug=”david-montgomery”>David Montgomery sidelined, had a star-turning performance, scoring all four of the game’s touchdowns while his defense was tenacious throughout in a hat-and-T-shirt game as anticipated as any before. Gibbs had 139 yards on a workmanlike 23 carries to go with five catches for 31 yards to charge the Lions offense. But Detroit’s D came up clutch in a huge way. Buoyed by the return of Alex Anzalone” data-link=”/players/alex-anzalone/” data-slug=”alex-anzalone”>Alex Anzalone, the injury-ravaged unit shined more so than survived. The Lions’ pass rush, spearheaded by Levi Onwuzurike” data-link=”/players/levi-onwuzurike/” data-slug=”levi-onwuzurike”>Levi Onwuzurike (seven pressures), had Sam Darnold” data-link=”/players/sam-darnold/” data-slug=”sam-darnold”>Sam Darnold running for his life, and the secondary was stellar, limiting Justin Jefferson” data-link=”/players/justin-jefferson/” data-slug=”justin-jefferson”>Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison” data-link=”/players/jordan-addison/” data-slug=”jordan-addison”>Jordan Addison to a combined four catches for 54 yards. This wasn’t the offensive back-and-forth many prognosticated. It was, for much of the night, a defensive battle for the NFC North that felt like it was for the NFC Central back in the day. Gibbs broke loose, however, and the Detroit defense was dominant as the Lions won the night and the NFC’s top seed.
2. Darnold, Vikings offense fall flat. Regardless of Sunday night’s performance, Sam Darnold still put forth the best season of his career. However, he came up small in the biggest game of his career so far. Darnold was woeful in the first half, at one point missing six straight passes from the Lions’ 3-yard line across two drives, forcing Minnesota to come away with three points on two prime scoring opportunities. At the half, the Vikings had been to the red zone three times and had come away with just six points, thanks in most part to Darnold’s ugly 9-of-20 passing line for 93 yards. For much of the game, the Vikings defense was excellent, but Gibbs proved to be inevitable. The same couldn’t be said for Minnesota’s offense. Darnold finished 18 of 41 for 166 yards, a miserable performance that came as he was pressured on a staggering 48.9% of his dropbacks. The Vikings are now leaving for L.A. to open up the playoffs next Monday against a Rams squad that dealt Minnesota a controversial loss at SoFi Stadium on Oct. 24. 
3. Lions use all four downs to get No. 1 seed. Heading into Week 18, the Lions were tied for fourth in the league with 29 fourth-down attempts. It’s somewhat surprising they were not ranked higher considering the narrative of Detroit’s Dan Campbell being all gas, no brakes when it comes to going for it. Sunday night showed just why Fourth-Down Dan is a defining attribute for the Lions — and their success. At game’s end, the Lions were 2 of 4 on fourth down, but both conversions were massive and paved the way for the Lions’ win and week of rest ahead. Facing fourth-and-5 from the Minnesota 39 in a scoreless first quarter, Jared Goff” data-link=”/players/jared-goff/” data-slug=”jared-goff”>Jared Goff hit Jameson Williams” data-link=”/players/jameson-williams/” data-slug=”jameson-williams”>Jameson Williams for 14 yards. On the ensuing play, Jahmyr Gibbs burst through the middle 25 yards to pay dirt. Gibbs’ next touchdown came on fourth-and-2 from the 10-yard line in the third quarter. It began a 21-point run to end the game that knocked the Vikings out of contention for the top seed and will have Detroit staying home to watch Wild Card Weekend. Perhaps no squad in the playoff field could use a week off more than the Lions, who have been ravaged by injuries and saw first-round starting cornerback Terrion Arnold” data-link=”/players/terrion-arnold/” data-slug=”terrion-arnold”>Terrion Arnold carted off with a foot injury. A major reason the Lions can rest up is Campbell’s now-trademark fourth-down aggression. 

Next Gen Stats Insight for Vikings-Lions (via NFL Pro): Lions cornerback Amik Robertson held Justin Jefferson to three catches for 54 yards (Jefferson’s full stats for the game) on seven targets when covering the Pro Bowl receiver. It’s Jefferson’s second-fewest catches in a game this season.

NFL Research: The Vikings’ 14 wins are tied for the most wins by any team to not clinch the No. 1 seed in their conference since seeding began in 1975. Each of the last two teams — the 2004 New England Patriots, and 1998 Atlanta Falcons — to do so advanced to the Super Bowl. The fourth was the 1986 Chicago Bears, who lost in the Divisional Round.