ALLEN PARK, Mich. — The Detroit Lions recently celebrated a significant victory against the Chicago Bears, which maintained their strong position in the NFC North race. With this win, Detroit kept pace with the Minnesota Vikings, who also scored victories in their recent games. The Lions were thrilled to watch Washington secure a win over Philadelphia, giving them yet another boost in confidence as they head towards the playoffs.
Quarterback Jared Goff highlighted the excitement of following the games, noting, “I had it on my phone,” after he impressed with 336 passing yards and three touchdown passes in a decisive 34-17 victory against the Bears. Currently, both the Lions and Vikings possess a remarkable record of 13-2, with a crucial rematch scheduled on January 5 at Ford Field for the regular-season finale. Meanwhile, the Eagles have recorded a 12-3 season so far.
Next, Detroit is set to face the struggling San Francisco 49ers on the road next Monday night. This game is particularly significant as it serves as a rematch from the NFC Championship game earlier in the season, where the Lions squandered a substantial 17-point lead in the second half. Head coach Dan Campbell expressed the importance of winning during this critical juncture of the season, stating, “We know we have to win.”
While the Lions prepare for San Francisco, the Vikings will be at home against the Green Bay Packers, and the Eagles will complete their regular season at home against the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants. Campbell reflected on the excitement of the current situation, saying, “It’s exciting to be where we’re at. To me, this is why you want to coach and play in this league.”
One player performing exceptionally well for Detroit is running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who enjoyed a season-high of 23 carries, notching 109 rushing yards and a touchdown, in addition to catching four passes for 45 yards. His capability of handling the workload while David Montgomery recovers from a knee injury has impressed coaching staff, as he has recorded a streak of 15 games with at least 70 scrimmage yards, tying a record held by Hall of Famer Barry Sanders from 1997.
On the defensive side, the Lions’ pass defense has come under scrutiny, particularly after Chicago’s Keenan Allen recorded nine receptions for 141 yards and a touchdown against them. Over the last three games, opponents have seen players amass at least 114 receiving yards, highlighting a trend that needs to be addressed.
Goff has been a standout performer for the Lions this season, consistently throwing for at least 275 yards and achieving two touchdowns, making a passer rating exceeding 135 points for the fifth time this year. This feat makes him the inaugural player in league history to accomplish such a stat line in a single season. Goff’s considerable success has also helped to set a franchise record for the most points scored in a season, surpassing the previous record set by the 2011 team.
On a less positive note, receiver Jameson Williams has faced questions relating to his maturity after drawing a taunting penalty in the last game. Even with this setback, Williams managed to shine, finishing with a career-high 143 receiving yards, which included an impressive 82-yard touchdown catch.
Injury updates reveal that starting guard Graham Glasgow is expected to rejoin the lineup after sitting out the game against Chicago due to a knee injury. Safety Ifeatu Melifonwu made his return to the field after recovering from injuries, while Campbell indicated that linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin could be available for the next game, and linebacker Alex Anzalone is nearing a return to practice.
As the Lions continue their pursuit of the NFC North title, they proudly hold a streak of seven consecutive victories in NFC North contests dating back to last season. The NFL’s last remaining unbeaten away team will strive to extend this record to eight wins on the road against the 49ers, setting the stage for their face-off with the Vikings afterward.
