The Detroit Lions find themselves in a crucial situation as they gear up for a significant game against the Minnesota Vikings this week, with limited preparation time. This upcoming contest is essential, as the winner will clinch the NFC North title along with home-field advantage up to the Super Bowl. The team that falls short will begin their playoff journey as a fifth-seeded wild card team.
“Honestly, you couldn’t script a better scenario,” remarked Lions coach Dan Campbell after a thrilling 40-34 victory against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night. “Both teams with a 14-2 record, vying for the division title and top seeding, it doesn’t get more exciting than this.”
Upon returning to Detroit around 7 a.m. on Tuesday, the team took a day to rest before shifting their focus to the highly anticipated Sunday night home game against the Vikings.
“For a player, these are the types of games you always fantasized about as a kid,” said All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell. “These moments are what you live for. Opportunities like this are rare.”
When it comes to what’s working for the Lions, the spotlight is on the offense led by Jared Goff.
“Right now, he’s playing at an exceptionally high level,” Campbell stated. “Can you name a quarterback currently performing better than him in the league?”
Goff delivered an impressive performance against his hometown team, completing 77% of his passes and setting a franchise record by throwing three touchdown passes for the fourth consecutive game. This season, he has achieved a completion rate of at least 75% in eight games, putting him in an elite category alongside Tom Brady, who accomplished this feat in 2007.
On the flip side, Detroit’s defense is an area that requires improvement. The struggling unit has allowed 31 or more points in three of the last four games, leading to some high-scoring battles.
In terms of individual player performances, safety Kerby Joseph has seen a rise in his stock. After a five-game dry spell without an interception, he snagged two picks against the 49ers, giving him a league-high total of nine interceptions.
“He stepped up big time—not only with the interceptions but also with critical tackles,” Campbell commented. “He truly made his presence felt.”
Joseph is now the first Lions player to achieve nine interceptions, including a pick-6, since Hall of Famer Lem Barney in 1967.
Conversely, Za’Darius Smith is experiencing a downturn in performance. The seasoned defensive end, who was brought in from Cleveland at the trade deadline, played on 52% of Detroit’s snaps in San Francisco but failed to record a tackle. He has gone three games without a sack, following a brief stint where he achieved 2.5 sacks in consecutive matchups against Green Bay and Chicago.
Injury updates reveal that Sewell had to visit the locker room at halftime to assess a thumb injury during the game against the 49ers. However, Campbell provided a positive outlook, indicating that he should be fine.
A noteworthy statistic to consider is that David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs, and receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams have made history as the first duo of running backs and receivers in NFL history to each accumulate 1,000 yards from scrimmage.
“We have an unselfish group, and that’s what makes it great,” Goff emphasized. “These players genuinely want each other to thrive.”
Looking ahead, the Lions focus on recovery and preparation after a Monday night game and a cross-country flight, as they approach what could be one of the most critical games in the franchise’s regular-season history.
