The Fate of the NFC North
On Sunday night, the Vikings could not slay the Lions. There had never been a game this season with this high of stakes. The Vikings and the Lions felt like they needed to win this game. Whoever won this game would win the NFC North. The winner would also get the one seed in the playoffs and get a first-round bye. Whoever lost this game would be the five seed in the playoffs and face the Los Angeles Rams next week. This would be a terrible scenario for the Lions as they only narrowly defeated the Rams in Week One, with a final score of 26-20 in overtime. The Lions did not allow that matchup to happen though. They dominated the Vikings by shutting down Justin Jefferson and stopping Sam Darnold in the red zone. Going into the playoffs, the Lions have proven themselves as worthy of the one seed.
First Half
The defense on each side started out very solid. However, the Lions offense eventually started rolling. Jared Goff found Amon-Ra St. Brown for a deep pass down the field. Then, Jahmyr Gibbs used his speed to find the edge of the sideline and then the end zone. This made the score 7-0. As the second quarter began, it looked as though the Vikings would score. They brought the ball down the field after Sam Darnold hit Justin Jefferson on a deep ball. However, once the Vikings got into the red zone, they faced trouble. After multiple incompletions, it was fourth and goal from the Lions’ three-yard line. Sam Darnold threw a throw to Jefferson and he dropped it. Then it was the Lions’ turn on offense, but then Jared Goff threw an interception on an attempted screen pass. The Vikings got the ball inside the red zone. It was first and goal. Justin Jefferson was targeted three times but every time it was an incompletion. On fourth and goal, the Vikings took a field goal. The score was 7-3. The Lions then received the ball and brought it down the field until they went for it on fourth down and did not convert. Then Sam Darnold threw the ball down the field until he got into field goal range. On a third and six play, Sam Darnold was hit as he threw, resulting in an incompletion. The Vikings took a field goal. The score was now 7-6. When the Vikings kicked the ball back to the Lions, there were 28 seconds left. However, the Vikings kicker kicked the ball out of bounds, meaning that the Lions would get the ball on their 40-yard line with 20 seconds left to get into field goal range. Jared Goff passed it up the middle and they were in field goal range. The Lions kicker, Jake Bates, made the field goal. The score was now 10-6. This was a fantastic half for the Lions.
Second Half
Upon receiving the ball after the half, the Vikings handed the ball to Cam Akers. Akers ran the ball all the way to the red zone. Once again the Vikings could not score. On fourth and goal, the Vikings went for it but Darnold’s throw was incomplete. It was the Lions’ ball now. Then Jared Goff launched the ball mindlessly as though it were a punt. The Vikings intercepted it. Eventually, Sam Darnold threw a pass to Justin Jefferson to get them into field goal range. They made the field goal. The score was now 10-9. The Lions then got the ball and Jared Goff passed it down the field until they were in field goal range. On fourth and two from the ten-yard line, Jared Goff found Jahmyr Gibbs for a pass up the middle for a touchdown. The score was now 17-9. The Vikings received the ball. Sam Darnold hit a deep pass on third down putting the Vikings near field goal range. Within a couple of plays, they were in field goal range. It did not matter though because on fourth down, the Vikings kicker missed the field goal. The Lions got the ball back. The Lions took advantage of this field position, pushing the ball down the field. Jahmyr Gibbs then scored another run to make the score 24-9. The Lions took the ball down the field again with Jahmyr Gibbs until he scored the last devastating blow, making the score 31-9.
Stats
Jared Goff was 27 for 33 with 231 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Sam Darnold was 18 for 41 with 166 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions. Justin Jefferson only had three receptions for 54 yards and no touchdowns. Amon-Ra St. Brown had six receptions for 77 yards and no touchdowns. Jahmyr Gibbs had 23 carries for 139 yards and three rushing touchdowns. Cam Akers had six carries for 65 yards and no touchdowns.
This game had high stakes for the Lions and they capitalized. This win means that the Lions have won the NFC North Division for the second year in a row. The Vikings had the opportunity to seize the division from the Lions but could not do it. The Vikings were unsuccessful because they could not score in the red zone. They also could not get their best wide receiver, Justin Jefferson, open downfield. Many people said that the Lions’ defense was battered by injury and extremely weak. This game proved that the Lions’ defense should not be underestimated but should be feared instead. Going into the bye week, the Lions have positioned themselves as the most dominant team in the NFC.
