Detroit Lions recap: 6 winners, 3 losers in 30-24 victory over Vikings
The Detroit Lions won the NFC North for the first time since 1993, defeating the Minnesota Vikings 30-24.
After a tremendous home primetime win against the Denver Broncos last week, the Lions traveled into Minnesota and won a critical game on the road to win the division and claim a playoff spot.
Each side traded early touchdowns, but the Lions began to pull away until the Vikings retook the lead in the third quarter. With a few minutes left in the game, the Lions were ahead by six points, and the Vikings had a chance to come back and play spoiler until Detroit got their fourth interception to seal the victory and send them home happy.
Check out my winners and losers from the win against the Vikings.
Winners
Jared Goff
Goff didn’t have a great game, but he put forth a solid effort as the starting quarterback. Goff struggled early on with Vikings defense pressure, and instead of rushing the ball for yards, he took some sacks. Thankfully, Goff finished the game 30-for-40 for 257 yards and a touchdown, erasing the shaky start.
Goff only needed to keep the ball and not throw any interceptions, which he did. An incomplete pass that was initially declared a fumble reminded Lions fans of the Thanksgiving game against the Green Bay Packers. Fortunately, the officials overruled the call, and the Lions were able to keep the ball in the end.
Offensive tackles
The Lions offensive line’s main issue heading into the game was limiting Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter, who has 15.5 sacks, the second most in the NFL. Hunter was a quiet pass rusher who never got a sack on Goff. The Lions had a great game plan to keep Hunter from getting to Goff, and he finished with seven tackles, a quarterback hit, and no sacks.
Ifeatu Melifonwu
Ifeatu Melifonwu’s good weeks continue to pile up. He caused a fumble against the Broncos last week and was doing everything he could in his third start of the season. Melifonwu continued to apply heat and pressure to Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens, recording two sacks and a game-winning interception in the fourth quarter.
Melifonwu had five tackles, two sacks, two pass deflections, and an interception in the game. Melifonwu took over for Tracy Walker at safety, and with C.J. Gardner-Johnson back in practice this week and a likely return against the Dallas Cowboys next week, Melifonwu is working hard to show the coaches that he deserves to be on the field even with Gardner-Johnson back.
Jameson Williams
This is exactly what I expected from Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams. Williams is more than just a deep threat capable of running streak routes and jet sweeps. It took a few weeks, but not only is Williams playing more, but he is being used more effectively, and Goff is more confident in him. Goff did not look Williams’ way on certain plays where he was wide open in the past, but now he is throwing it to him more frequently.
Williams concluded the game with five catches for 43 yards and some good plays to gain extra yards on those catches. Williams has improved this season and is receiving more and more chances, which he is taking advantage of.
Kerby Joseph
What a game to have your finest performance of the year in. Safety Kerby With two interceptions against the Vikings, Joseph ensured that his greatest game came at the right time. The first was a fantastic read by Joseph, who jumped the route on Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison, preventing Minnesota from scoring an easy score.
Joseph’s next interception came in the fourth quarter on an overthrow by Mullens, with Joseph in the right place at the right time. Joseph had nine tackles, two pass deflections, and two interceptions in the game.
Brian Branch
Another week in which Brian Branch was everywhere. He got off to a shaky start, being penalized for a penalty inside the end zone and then dropping an interception. But he made amends later. Branch would earn the Lions’ first turnover with a massive interception on a bad throw from Mullens.
Branch, like Melifonwu, was everywhere on the pitch. Branch was able to do well in coverage and sack Mullens. He had six tackles, two pass deflections, an interception, and a sack in the game. Branch continues to make a case for himself as a defensive Rookie of the Year finalist, and if he can finish the season on a high note, he may be a dark horse chance to win it.
Losers
Jonah Jackson
While the Lions’ offensive tackles played well, left guard Jonah Jackson did not have the best day. He let Vikings linebacker Pat Jones II have it with him. Jones II outran him twice and sacked Goff. He beat Jackson a third time, but the victory was nullified owing to Jones’ roughing the passer penalty.
Jackson has having a terrible year this season, and in a contract year, he is playing poorly at the worst possible time. With the season coming to a finish and the postseason approaching, Jackson will need to improve his game. If Jackson wants to get paid this offseason, a strong postseason performance or a comeback may help his case.
Khalil Dorsey
While several Detroit defensive backs performed admirably, not everyone had a stellar game. Cornerback Khalil Dorsey struggled in the game against Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn. Osborn had five receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown.
Last week, Dorsey took over as the starting number two cornerback from Jerry Jacobs. Dorsey started again after Jacobs exited the Broncos game with an injury and was declared out against Minnesota this week. If Dorsey wants to keep his starting spot, he can’t keep playing like this in a huge game. Dorsey will need to improve his play in the playoffs or he will be on the bench with Jacobs returning as the starter.
Frank Ragnow
Center Frank Ragnow was another offensive lineman that battled. It wasn’t for lack of performance, as he did well overall in blocking, but when it came to raising the football for Goff, Ragnow couldn’t do it in time. The Lions were called for a delay of game three times, and on all three occasions, you could see Goff pleading for the ball to be lifted and Ragnow not getting the word. But it’s not all Ragnow’s fault. It’s a noisy workplace, and several calls were plainly coming in late. Still, you must be in sync with your quarterback.
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