Studs and Duds: Lions' Secondary Owns Nick Mullens

Studs and duds from Detroit's win over Minnesota.

The Detroit Lions conquered a 30-year drought by winning the NFC North division title Sunday. They clinched the title with a 30-24 win over the Minnesota Vikings. 

The win wasn't easy, as the Vikings stayed in the game until the final minutes. An Ifeatu Melifonwu interception clinched the win, moving Detroit to 11-4 on the season and ensuring that they will be hosting a playoff game. 

Here are studs and duds from Sunday's win. 

STUD: S Ifeatu Melifonwu

Melifonwu proved that his performance against the Denver Broncos was no fluke Sunday, as he delivered another pivotal showing against the Vikings. 

The third-year safety had two sacks, both on well-timed safety blitzes. The first was nearly a fumble and looked similar to what he was able to do against the Broncos in Week 15. 

Still, his most important play of the game came in the fourth quarter. With the Vikings driving in search of the game-winning score, Melifonwu recorded his first career interception to seal the game and the division title for the Lions. 

DUD: CB Cam Sutton

The Lions had a tough task awaiting them Sunday in wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who is among the NFL's best. He showed why against Detroit, hauling in six catches for 141 yards and a score. 

Prior to Minnesota's last drive of the first half, he had just one catch. However, he beat Sutton multiple times on that series for big gains, including a 26-yard touchdown. 

Sutton was also beat for a completion on third-and-27 on Minnesota's final drive, when Jefferson beat him on a contested pass. 

STUD: RB Jahmyr Gibbs

Gibbs started slowly early in Sunday's game, as he fumbled in the first quarter. However, he bounced back with a strong second half and wound up with two touchdowns and an even 100 all-purpose yards. 

His quickness and agility was on display, as he maneuvered through the defensive line and turned short gains into big ones. He scored on runs of 14 and three yards, giving him 10 touchdowns on the season. 

The rookie has proven to be dynamic with his abilities in both the run and pass games. He surpassed the 800-yard mark on the ground Sunday and as well as the 300-yard receiving mark. 

David Montgomery also contributed to the efforts on the ground, notching 55 yards and a score on 17 carries. 

Video: Lions Celebrate Winning Division Title

DUD: WR Josh Reynolds

Reynolds had just one catch on four targets. He had a drop in the first half after being hit by a defender and also was whistled for a false start.  

The Lions, as a whole, struggled with pre-snap penalties Sunday. They were whistled for multiple delay of games and had two penalties, one of which was Reynolds' false start, derail their final offensive drive with an opportunity to put the game away. 

STUD: QB Jared Goff

Goff was composed as ever for the Lions when they needed him. He finished with a quarterback rating of 99.7 and threw for 257 yards on 30-of-40 passing. 

The veteran delivered multiple big throws, including a touchdown pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown in the third quarter. He demonstrated a strong control of the offense, utilizing several of his receiving weapons throughout the game. 

Among his best throws were a dart to Kalif Raymond near the sideline and a strong toss to Donovan Peoples-Jones to convert a third down. He also connected with Jameson Williams five times for 43 yards.

The win was meaningful for the veteran passer, who arrived at the beginning of Dan Campbell's tenure. After struggling through the first season and a half, Goff has been integral to the team's ascent to becoming division champions.

Jared Goff recaps winning, chokes up pic.twitter.com/Soj3yqQafa

— DetroitSportsPodcast (@DetroitPodcast) December 24, 2023

STUD: S Kerby Joseph

Joseph was a major beneficiary of Nick Mullens' struggles Sunday. Playing the free safety position, Joseph hauled in two interceptions against Mullens. 

His first pick came in the second quarter when he out-jumped Jordan Addison. In the fourth quarter, he got his second on an overthrow. 

Joseph now has a team-high four interceptions on the season. Rookie safety Brian Branch also recorded an interception in the first quarter. Branch recorded his third interception of the season when he picked off a fourth-down pass from Mullens in the opening quarter.

STUD: WR Amon-Ra St. Brown

St. Brown had his eighth 100-yard game of the season, finishing with 12 catches for 106 yards and a touchdown against the Vikings. 

He had 12 catches on 14 targets, making for an extremely efficient afternoon. He had several catches go for first downs, including a 14-yard reception on a third-and-5 on Detroit's opening possession. 

St. Brown surpassed the 1,200 mark for receiving yards and notched his second-consecutive game with 100 yards receiving.