4 winners, 1 loser from Lions’ divisional title win against Vikings

The Detroit Lions are your NFC North divisional champions and the top seed in the NFC. Who played like the title was on the line, and who struggled?

In the most anticipated regular season game of all time in the NFL, the Detroit Lions took on the Minnesota Vikings on “Sunday Night Football“ in a battle for the NFC North crown and the top seed in the NFC. It was hyped up as the best regular season game ever, with two 14-win teams battling, and despite all the hype, the result wasn’t what many expected.

Coming in, people expected a high-scoring game with both offenses playing well and the Lion’s defense down multiple starters. People predicted it would be up to the Lions offense to win, and instead, it was the defense that made the biggest difference. Detroit’s offense struggled with just 10 points in the first half, but the defense held Minnesota to six. The second half is when the Lions offense woke up, scoring 21 points and winning 31-9.

Check out my winners and losers in the HUGE win against the Vikings as Detroit now gets a bye week and repeats as NFC North champions.

Winners

Amik Robertson

Since top cornerback Carlton Davis III has been out with an injury, slot cornerback Amik Robertson has moved outside and has been fantastic at it. It was a question of if Robertson would move to the outside when Davis first went out, or if they would keep him in the slot and trot out Kindle Vildor. Robertson had his biggest challenge against Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson on Sunday night and answered the challenge.

According to PFF, Robertson got a pass deflection and allowed two catches for 48 yards on seven targets against Jefferson. Going up against the best wide receiver in the NFL is a big ask for a typical slot corner, but Robertson answered the call. Robertson has gone up against Jefferson in college and even high school , so he had experience against him coming in.

Za’Darius Smith

The past three games have been quiet for star defensive end Za’Darius Smith. Two tackles and a QB hit in that period, but when the lights came on, Smith shined against the Vikings. Smith got a huge sack on the second drive for Minnesota, pushing the Vikings back to their endzone. It would set up a three-and-out that was crucial with the 7-0 lead.

Smith finished the game with three tackles, two QB hits, and a sack. He will need to continue to be a major playmaker on the defensive line in the playoffs if Detroit is going to make a deep run in the postseason.

Jahmyr Gibbs

The offense went through running back Jahmyr Gibbs on Sunday night. With quarterback Jared Goff struggling in the passing game with turnovers and risky throws, Gibbs decided to take over on the ground. Gibbs did it all for the offense, running the ball, catching passes, and blocking for his teammates. When on the ground, Gibbs did every style of run you could think of, and when he had a chance to use his speed to get away, he did just so.

Gibbs was the scoring machine for the Lions, scoring a career-high four times, three on the ground and once through the air. Gibbs bounced to the outside both times, zooming past defenders and finding the corner of the end zone. Gibbs finished with 23 carries for 139 yards, three touchdowns, five catches for 31 yards and a touchdown.

Gibbs finished the season with 20 touchdowns, the most in the NFL. Not only did he lead the NFL this season, he broke a Lions single-season record for most touchdowns in a season. Remember, Gibbs didn’t have teammate David Montgomery these past few weeks, and he is putting up these numbers. Gibbs can be the main back if needed, and this game was one of many examples as to why.

Red zone defense

Bend don’t break was the motto for the Lions defense on Sunday night. Four times the Vikings were in the red zone, with the Lions defense backed up against the wall, and all four times the Vikings came away empty-handed from the end zone. The Lions also forced Minnesota to kick a field goal on a red zone attempt as Minnesota was struggling.

Going up against the best wide receiver in the NFL in Jefferson, the Vikings couldn’t find him or teammates Jordan Addison or T.J. Hockenson in the end zone. When the Lions defense would make a stop in the red zone, the offense didn’t do much help and either turned it over quickly or got a three and out to put more pressure on the defense.

If the Lions defense allowed even one touchdown on those four attempts, this game would be different. Instead, they dared Minnesota to go for it on fourth down and they came away empty every time, going 0-for-3 on the night. When the defense was questioned the most, they had their best game since defensive end Aidan Hutchinson went down.

Loser

Jared Goff

When the defense played a great game, the offense, led by Goff, fell flat on his face. Goff has been an MVP candidate for most of the season, but Sunday night he played far from the best player in the NFL. Goff threw two (almost three) horrible interceptions, tried to get his teammate killed on a screen pass, and almost was responsible for a safety in the first half. While his stats were fine, going 27-for-33 for 231 yards and a touchdown, those mistakes were big.

On the first interception, Goff lightly threw a ball in double coverage while facing pressure to Gibbs, and it was tipped in the air and easily picked off. The second interception was a deep shot to wide receiver Jameson Williams, who Goff overthrew by 10 yards and right into the hands of safety Harrison Smith. Williams was covered in the play as well, so not sure why Goff thought that was the right decision.

Goff almost eliminated all the momentum the team had up by eight as he threw a screen pass that Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel tipped and almost returned for a touchdown. Goff had the worst game he’s had in a while, and thankfully the running game picked up the slack. Hopefully, the extra week off gets him back on track for the divisional round.