Anzalone, who has been sidelined for many weeks due to a fractured forearm, and Raymond, who has a foot ailment, were classified as doubtful on the injury report for the game, which would determine the NFC North champion and the top spot in the conference playoffs, with the loser receiving the No. 5 seed.

DETROIT (AP) –On Sunday night, Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone and punt returner Kalif Raymond were active against the Minnesota Vikings.

Anzalone, who has been sidelined for many weeks due to a fractured forearm, and Raymond, who has a foot ailment, were classified as doubtful on the injury report for the game, which would determine the NFC North champion and the top spot in the conference playoffs, with the loser receiving the No. 5 seed.

Minnesota had previously ruled out edge rusher Patrick Jones due to a knee injury sustained on a low block by Green Bay tight end Tucker Kraft last week. His absence expands the responsibility of youngster Dallas Turner in supporting Pro Bowl outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN – DECEMBER 16: Alex Anzalone #34 of the Detroit Lions celebrates during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos at Ford Field on December 16, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images)

The Lions’ divisional title triumph over the Vikings produced four winners and one loser

The Detroit Lions are the NFC North division champions and the NFC’s top seed. Who competed as if the title was on the line, and who struggled?

The Detroit Lions faced up against the Minnesota Vikings on “Sunday Night Football” to compete for the NFC North title and top seed in the NFC playoffs. It was billed as the finest regular season game ever, with two 14-win teams facing off, but the outcome did not live up to expectations.

People expected a high-scoring game, with both attacks doing well and the Lions defense missing several stars. People expected the Lions offense to win, but the defense made the biggest difference. Detroit’s offense struggled in the first half, scoring only 10 points, while the defense limited Minnesota to six. The second half was when the Lions offense came alive, scoring 21 points and winning 31-9.

Check out my winners and losers from the HUGE victory against the Vikings, as Detroit now has a bye week and repeats as NFC North champs.

Winners

Amik Robertson

Since top cornerback Carlton Davis III has been out due to an injury, slot cornerback Amik Robertson has pushed outside and performed admirably. It was unclear if Robertson would go to the outside when Davis initially walked out, or if he would remain in the slot and bring out Kindle Vildor. On Sunday night, Robertson faced his most difficult task against Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, and he rose to the occasion.

According to PFF, Robertson had one pass deflection and allowed two receptions for 48 yards on seven targets against Jefferson. Going up against the best wide receiver in the NFL is a tall order for an ordinary slot cornerback, but Robertson answered the call. Robertson faced Jefferson in college and high school, giving him prior experience against him.

Za’Darius Smith

Za’Darius Smith, the outstanding defensive end, has had a quiet previous three games. Smith had two tackles and a quarterback hit at that time, but when the lights came on, he shone against the Vikings. Smith recorded a massive sack on Minnesota’s second drive, driving the Vikings back to their endzone. It would set up a three-and-out, which was critical given the 7-0 advantage.

ZA’DARIUS SMITH 17-YARD SACK 💰🔥 pic.twitter.com/hgbsz1j0JQ

— Optify 🦁 (@optifyy_) January 6, 2025

Smith ended the game with three tackles, two quarterback hits, and one sack. If Detroit wants to go deep into the playoffs, he will need to continue to be a significant player on the defensive line.

Jahmir Gibbs

On Sunday night, the offense relied heavily on running back Jahmyr Gibbs. With quarterback Jared Goff struggling in the passing game due to mistakes and questionable passes, Gibbs opted to take over on the ground. Gibbs accomplished everything for the offense: running the ball, receiving passes, and blocking for his teammates. When on the ground, Gibbs ran every style imaginable, and when he had the opportunity to use his speed to get away, he did it.

Gibbs was the Lions’ scoring machine, scoring a career-high four times, three on the ground and one in the air. Gibbs bounced to the outside each times, slipping by opponents and hitting the corner of the end zone. Gibbs completed with 23 carries for 139 yards, three touchdowns, and five receptions for 31 yards and one score.

Gibbs ended the season with 20 touchdowns, the most in the NFL. He not only led the NFL this season, but he also shattered the Lions’ single-season touchdown record. Remember, Gibbs hasn’t had teammate David Montgomery in a couple weeks, yet he’s putting up these stats. Gibbs can be the primary back if necessary, and this game was one of many indications of why.

Red Zone Defense

The Lions defense’s slogan on Sunday night was “bend, don’t break.” The Vikings were in the red zone four times, with the Lions defense backed up against the wall, and they all came up empty-handed. The Lions also forced Minnesota to punt a field goal in the red zone as they struggled.

Going up against Jefferson, the finest wide receiver in the NFL, the Vikings were unable to reach him or teammates Jordan Addison or T.J. Hockenson in the end zone. When the Lions defense made a stop in the red zone, the offense did nothing to help, either turning the ball over soon or going three and out to put further pressure on the defense.

If the Lions’ defense had allowed even one score on those four attempts, the outcome would have been different. Instead, they dared Minnesota to go for it on fourth down, but they came up empty every time, finishing 0-for-3 on the night. When the defense was most questioned, they played their finest game since losing defensive end Aidan Hutchinson.

Loser

Jared Goff

When the defense played well, the offense, headed by Goff, struggled. Goff has been an MVP candidate for the most of the season, but on Sunday night, he was far from the finest player in the NFL. Goff threw two (almost three) awful interceptions, attempted to murder a teammate on a screen pass, and almost caused a safety in the first half. While his stats were respectable (27-for-33 for 231 yards and a score), those blunders were significant.

On the first interception, Goff weakly threw a pass in double coverage while under pressure from Gibbs, which was tipped in the air and easily intercepted. The second interception was a long pass to wide receiver Jameson Williams, which Goff overthrew by 10 yards and into the clutches of safety Harrison Smith. Williams was also covered during the play, so I’m not sure why Goff believed it was the proper call.

Goff almost squandered the team’s eight-point lead when quarterback fired a screen pass that Vikings defender Andrew Van Ginkel tipped and almost returned for score. Goff had his worst game in a while, but his rushing game made up for it. Hopefully, the extra week off will put him back on pace for the divisional round.