After 30 fruitless seasons, the Detroit Lions wrapped up the best gift for long-suffering fans when they defeated the Minnesota Vikings, 30-24, on Christmas Eve to win the NFC North title.
It’s a holly, jolly holiday in Detroit.
With the win the Lions now own an 11-4 record with two games remaining. At the very least, they will host one playoff game, the first postseason contest at Ford Field.
It was an all-around team effort: 143 rushing yards, 246 passing yards, four touchdowns, four sacks, four interceptions and a partridge in a pear tree.
“This is special, this is special. It’s something you don’t get to do all the time … To do something that hasn’t been done in 30 years for a team is special,’’ Campbell said.
He was wearing a black and blue “2023 NFC North Champions: It’s a Lock” T-shirt. The coach couldn’t say one word often enough.
“I’m pretty ecstatic, man. This is special, this is special. Like I said, it’s a special group. This is just the beginning, we feel that way,’’ Campbell said. “There again, I couldn’t be more proud of the guys.”
It was an up-and-down game. It felt like whoever had the ball last would win and that’s basically what happened when Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu intercepted Nick Mullens with 58 seconds left so the Lions could hold on to the 30-24 win.
The Lions were up 17-14 at the half, but gave up a touchdown to start the third quarter. Back and forth it went. Detroit led 30-21 early in the fourth quarter, but let the Vikings back in with a field goal.
“All of a sudden you’re at the end of this game and it’s just gone back and forth, but nobody got frazzled, nobody lost their cool,’’ Campbell said. “And when we needed it, in crunch times, we made plays. That’s what good teams do: They find ways to win the game instead of the other way. That’s not an easy thing to do, but when you’ve got the right guys who mesh together, work for each other and they care about each other. They’re accountable to each other, it makes a difference.’’
Five of the reasons the Lions won:
1. Jared Goff managed the game well. Came out with a 14-play touchdown drive and kept the game in-hand throughout. He spread the ball around to eight different pass-catchers. He finished 30-40, for 257 yards and a touchdown. No turnovers. “It’s emotional, but just the beginning for us,’’ Goff told the NFL Network. He got big help from the offensive line which Campbell called “outstanding.”
2. Win the turnover battle, and (usually) win the game. The Lions intercepted Mullens four times. While Jahmyr Gibbs did lose a fumble, the 4-1 turnover ratio was key to the win. Overall the defense played well but admittedly had trouble with wide receiver Justin Jefferson who finished with 141 receiving yards. The Lions double-teamed him, but still couldn’t stop him. Campbell kind of shrugged his shoulders when asked about Jefferson. “Winning the division, it’s our legacy now,’’ linebacker Alex Anzalone said.
3. Again Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery rushed for a combined 13 yards Gibbs finished with two rushing TDs while Montgomery had one. They are a remarkable duo that opens up the offense and they are proving no game is too big for them. In 30 years they are without question the best running back duo the Lions have put on the field.
4. Safety Ifeatu Melifonwu, in his third straight start, saved the day by intercepting Nick Mullens when the Vikings were within striking range in the last minute. Along with the big pick, he also sacked Mullens twice. “He’s a factor, he’s just getting better and better,’’ Campbell said.
5. The Lions responded to the pressure of getting the title. They played their game and even the rookies – especially the rookies – contributed. Owner Sheila Ford Hamp joined the group in the locker room afterward. “The look on her face, the pure joy and happiness and watching the celebration with the coaches and the players and everybody, watching her interact. It feels good,’’ Campbell said. “I promised her we’d get her that, we did that. That’s one.’’
UP NEXT: Lions (11-4) at Dallas Cowboys, 8:15 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30.
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