Takeaways from Lions' 30-24 Victory against Vikings
The Detroit Lions have delivered to their fans the best Christmas present they ever could have asked for.
With its 11th victory of the season, Detroit has ended one of the longest futility droughts in all of the National Football League. It has clinched its first division title in 30 years.
All week, Detroit treated its visit to Minnesota like an official business trip.
While aware of the significant meaning of the contest, Detroit's young roster looked to build off its solid performance against the Denver Broncos last week.
Minnesota lost key weapons in wideout Jordan Addison and tight end T.J. Hockenson, both of whom were ruled out prior to the conclusion of the game.
Detroit handled the pressure admirably, relying upon key playmakers -- on both sides of the football -- to leave U.S. Bank Stadium with a narrow victory.
Here are several takeaways from the Lions' 30-24 victory against the Vikings.
Lions win coin toss, take football for second consecutive week
Against the Vikings, the Lions took advantage of winning the opening coin toss.
For the second consecutive week, Detroit elected to receive the football and start the game on offense.
Quarterback Jared Goff led the team on a 14-play, 75-yard, game-opening drive, that spanned 7:47 of the first quarter.
Detroit's veteran signal-caller showcased poise in the pocket, especially on a key third down. He surveyed the field, and found five different targets to start the game.
Running back David Montgomery, whose number was called eight times on the opening drive, capped off Detroit's opening scoring drive with a 1-yard scamper.
Brian Branch makes up for critical interception drop
Detroit's talented rookie will not have a better opportunity for a pick-six than he did on Minnesota's first drive.
After Nick Mullens led the Vikings into the red zone, Branch was called for a penalty while defending star wideout Justin Jefferson.
On the next play, Branch dropped what would have likely been an interception returned for touchdown.
After Jahmyr Gibbs fumbled the football and turned the ball over, Branch made up for his error by securing his third interception of the season. And, importantly for Detroit, it ended the Vikings' drive abruptly.
Detroit's speedy running back made up for his turnover later in the first half, too, scampering 14 yards for a rushing touchdown.
Gibbs added another touchdown to his resume his rookie season, his second touchdown of the afternoon, early in the fourth quarter, which extended Detroit's lead to 30-21.
Defense baits Nick Mullens
Detroit's defense dialed up the pressure again this week, sending pressure from a variety of positions.
Mullens, the Vikings' fourth different starting quarterback this season, was clearly rattled. Brian Branch, Ifeatu Melifonwu and Alex Anzalone each regularly brought the pressure, forcing Mullens into quicker decisions and the collapsing of the pocket.
Also, Kerby Joseph baited Mullens in the second quarter into tossing his second interception of the game.
Detroit capitalized on its second turnover of the game, with a touchdown drive that extended its lead to 10, 17-7.
Joseph, who was the recipient of a turnover chain from the Lions' social media team, secured his second interception of the game in the fourth quarter.
Mullens ended up throwing four costly interceptions against Detroit's defense.
Melifonwu accounted for the game-sealing interception with under 1:00 to play.
Lions' offense counts on Amon-Ra St. Brown
Detroit's offense got into a nice rhythm in the second half.
Led by Gibbs and Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit's offense took the lead, 23-21, heading into the fourth quarter.
St. Brown, who expressed this week that he is focused on being consistently productive, was regularly targeted.
By the start of the fourth quarter, the third-year wideout had recorded 10 receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown.
Minnesota's defense dealt with several injuries, which negatively impacted the team's ability to limit St. Brown's effectiveness.
St. Brown capped off Detroit's lone scoring drive in the third quarter, as he was on the receiving end of a short touchdown toss.
Unfortunately, on the drive, Michael Badgley had his extra-point attempt blocked.
Lions earn first playoff berth since 2016, first division title in 30 years
For the first time since 2016, the Lions are headed to the postseason.
In three seasons, Campbell has exhibited the masterful ability to turn around the team while working with general manager Brad Holmes. Their first season together finished 3-13-1, and their second one started 1-6.
However, since that 1-6 start, the Lions have gone 18-6 over their past 24 games. The division title had been at the top of the list for Campbell and the team heading into the season.
Clinching the division on the road against Minnesota was no easy task, but Campbell has instilled a culture of performing well when pressure is at its highest. As a result, Detroit's third-year head coach looked forward to the opportunity Sunday.
"Certainly, we go into places (where) you're gonna want to play well against us, because we have won games, we are playing pretty good football," Campbell said earlier this week "Most teams are gonna want to put their best foot forward. I don't feel like there's any, the pressure.
"I just go back to this, the more you win, the more the pressure goes up. But, you should enjoy that," Campbell commented further. "I think that's kind of where we're at. It's when we're at our best, is when you have people gunning for you. And, we have things at our fingertips here, and it doesn't always go your way but you find a way to bounce back. I just think that's a good thing for us. We've done well with that."
The Lions will be looking for their first playoff win since 1991, when they knocked off the Dallas Cowboys, 38-6. All-time, the Lions are 7-13 in the postseason.
