Several Lions won accolades in their dominating play against the Vikings.
Four Detroit Lions made Pro Football Focus’ Team of the Week for their strong performances in the win that clinched the NFC North title.
In a weekly selection of players who performed the best at their positions, PFF’s Gordon McGuinness chose two stars of the Lions’ highly ranked offense line, center Frank Ragnow and Graham Glasgow at right guard. Also on the squad—Ifeatu Melifonwu (89.8 PFF grade) and Brian Branch (80 PFF grade), the former catching the game-winning pick and the latter having his own big game.
Ifeatu Melifonwu snags the interception and the #Lions clinch their first division title in 30 years pic.twitter.com/7cFTaDZC6q
— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) December 24, 2023
In fact, Branch also won PFF Rookie of the Week. The first-year notched an interception, a sack, a forced fumble, two QB hits, six tackles, and a partridge in a pear tree on Christmas Eve against Minnesota.
“Branch played arguably his best NFL game in a win that clinched the NFC North crown for the Lions,” McGuinness wrote.
Brian Branch!
(via @NFL )pic.twitter.com/cq4Wze5a8e
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 24, 2023
On top of that, the Lions unit as a whole also won Offensive Line of the Week.
“The Lions’ starting offensive line allowed only five pressures, with all five starters earning PFF pass-blocking grades of 69.0 or better,” he wrote.
.@gglasgow61 and @KNARFWONGAR topped the charts pic.twitter.com/PiS1VTZSXm
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 28, 2023
Keep the awards comin’.
And onto the rest of your notes.
- Noted Lions supporter Peter Schrager explains how the storyline surrounding the Lions vs. the Cowboys matchup this weekend is a recipe for Detroit’s success, and Dan Campbell said something similar to reporters today.
Jimmy Johnson is (finally) being inducted into the Cowboys Ring of Honor.
Saturday night game with everyone watching.
Troy Aikman on the @ESPNNFL call.
Dallas is 7-0 at home.
Sure feels like a big Cowboys party, right?
This is where these @Lions thrive. pic.twitter.com/TKHu2HIbDD
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) December 28, 2023
#Lions HC Dan Campbell called the timing of this Dallas game “perfect.” He said you couldn’t “write a better script,” because “it gives you a real idea of where you’re at because this is one of the top teams in the NFC and we’re out at their place where they play their best.”
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) December 28, 2023
- Various Lions dominating various categories:
Two @Lions in the top 10 go together like PB and J pic.twitter.com/qHIRrDvvar
— NFL GameDay (@NFLGameDay) December 27, 2023
Amon-Ra St. Brown leads the 2021 WR class pic.twitter.com/B44JVR2NEz
— PFF (@PFF) December 28, 2023
- It’s no secret this Lions regime is different, but Wojo over at The Detroit News dives in on how they discovered the blueprint for success as Detroit clinches its first division title in 30 years. ($)
- Our very own Erik Schlitt joined the Locked On Lions podcast, check it out:
On Today’s @lockedonlions Podcast: Could there be a letdown on Saturday night for the Detroit Lions? @erikschlitt joins us. #firstlisten
Audio: https://t.co/w9XwB0flmM
Video: https://t.co/Ppn5S9B9Oa pic.twitter.com/Wa0KHuokSH
— Matt Dery (@DerySpeaks) December 28, 2023
- Kinda funny — Amon-Ra St. Brown talks about unhinged fantasy football owners. Yes, if you message a player I consider you unhinged.
Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown said he gets more DMs about fantasy football than he can click. Asked if he has a message to the fantasy GMs out there, he said: ‘I’m aware of the fantasy people that love fantasy. Shoot, I don’t play fantasy but for all those that do, you’re welcome.”
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) December 28, 2023
- Something to note, as of course the Lions finish the season taking on the Vikings again at home.
A QB change for the #Vikings : This time, rookie Jaren Hall will start, per me and @TomPelissero , as Nick Mullens head to the bench.
His last start was shortened by injury, and Hall gets another chance with the season on the line. pic.twitter.com/X2yhnP1aOD
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 28, 2023
- Extended footage from the postgame locker room celebration after the Lions clinched the NFC North:
Can we interest anyone in some bonus footage from Sunday’s locker room celebration?
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 28, 2023
- QB Jared Goff doing good in the community:
More good from last week #CommunityMVP @Lions QB Jared Goff (@JaredGoff16 ), in partnership with @MERITGoodness , hosted a pizza party and gifted five students who worked on a design project for his apparel line with a four-year college scholarship. pic.twitter.com/v7abUtbxCE
— NFLPA (@NFLPA) December 28, 2023