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Five reasons why Lions bounced back with 30-20 win over Vikings

DETROIT — The Detroit Lions bounced back on Sunday from a devastating loss the previous week at the hands of NFL referee Brad Allen.

They took their lead from coach Dan Campbell who said they would move forward and not drop their shoulders and dwell on the loss at the Cowboys.

The Lions played tough in a 30-20 win over the Minnesota Vikings to boost their record to 12-5 and prepare them for a playoff game against Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams at 8 p.m. on Sunday at Ford Field.

“After what we did last week – it was a tough loss – and we come in this week, mentally locked in, ready to roll, right mindset,’’ coach Dan Campbell said. “It was a back-and-forth game, but I thought all three phases complemented each other and really came out to finish the season off the right way and get a win.’’

The Lions took an early 7-0 lead and never fell behind.

The win meant that throughout the season, the Lions never lost back-to-back games

“We bounced back, I feel like that’s one of our qualities, that’s one of the things about us that I think makes this group special is that it is a resilient group, they’re able to overcome adversity, snap back and they’ve done that again,’’ Campbell said. “You’ve got to have the right players. We have the right players and the right coaches.”

Five main reasons the Lions won:

1. Once again the defense was fired up and was led by Aidan Hutchinson who didn’t take a play off. Vikings QB Nick Mullens was sacked four times, twice by Hutchinson who has five sacks in the last two games and 10.5 for the season. “We’re getting to the quarterback, we’ve been getting to him for 3 or 4 weeks. (Hutchinson is ) a guy who’s relentless, but he works his craft, he’s got a quick first step, he’s an explosive athlete but he constantly is working his hands, his body, his lean and his torque,’’ Campbell said. “Every day he gets a little better.’’ Hutchinson produced his fifth career game with 2.0-or-more sacks, passing DE Ezekiel Ansah (4) for the most 2.0-sack games by a Lions player through two-career seasons.

2. Jared Goff led an efficient passing game. No interceptions, no fumbles. He finished 23 of 32 for 320 yards and two touchdowns including a 70-yard scoring play to Amon-Ra St. Brown. He got protection, was only sacked once. After a three-and-out opening series, the Lions scored touchdowns on the next two drives with their savvy combination of rushing and passing.

3. The secondary got a boost from the return of veteran C.J. Gardner-Johnson who had not played since he tore his pec in Week 2. He intercepted Mullens late in the game, had four tackles and a pass defense. The unit still has much work to do. Vikings WR Justin Jefferson could not be contained and finished with a dozen catches for 192 yards and a touchdown. He had 141 yards against the Lions two weeks ago.

4. No turnovers by the Lions. Campbell has preached this all season and they seem to be improving.

5. When officials announced No. 70, Dan Skipper, eligible, the crowd roared. The offensive lineman has found a measure of celebrity after the referee’s bad call at Dallas last week. In the third quarter, Skipper caught a 4-yard pass which drew more applause. Campbell emphasized this week that they had moved on from the debacle at Dallas. This was a team that looked like it had an eye on the future.

INJURY UPDATE
Tight end Sam LaPorta left the game in the second quarter with a knee injury and did not return. “It’s probably not as bad as it looked, but it’s not good news,’’ Campbell said. “We’ll know more (Monday). I know it looked awful, it’s not as bad as that. But it doesn’t mean it looks good in the immediate here to have him for a game.’’

Campbell said it’s about the same situation for WR/returner Kalif Raymond who also left with a knee injury.

Lions Dan Skipper reports eligible and draws loudest cheers in win over Vikings

Campbell credits head official for way he handled game

DETROIT — Have you got your Dan Skipper jersey yet?

Skipper, the Lions offensive lineman, drew many of the loudest cheers at Ford Field on Sunday during the Lions’ 30-20 win over the Vikings.

“I thought the crowd was great,’’ coach Dan Campbell said.

It goes back to a week ago and the debacle in Dallas when referee Brad Allen said Skipper reported – when he didn’t – which negated a 2-point conversion by Taylor Decker who did report. You know the story.

So several times during Sunday’s game Skipper reported eligible, the official announced it and the fans went wild. They love the guy and it seems like they love Campbell for not shying away from the controversy.

“I thought it was great, he reported, he was loud and I thought he made it very clear,’’ Campbell said.

Skipper even caught his first pass of the season, a 4-yard reception in the third quarter.

“We didn’t put that in for the crowd. We knew we were going to need him and it could possibly go there and it went to him,’’ Campbell said.

The coach credited head official Brad Rogers who had worked the Lions’ training camp last summer.

“He’s done a great job. He was great, I thought he handled everything very well,’’ Campbell said. “That’s not easy to come in after what happened in Dallas and you’re going to be the guy at our game. He’s a pro. He was great with communications.’’

Quarterback Jared Goff also mentioned Rogers.

“That was fun hearing the crowd every time (Skipper) reported. It wasn’t intentional by us, but I think the head official Brad was having some fun with it too. It was kind of funny,’’ Goff said. “It wasn’t funny last week.’’

UP NEXT: Lions vs. Rams in wildcard playoff at 8 p.m. on Sunday at Ford Field.

Five things to watch as Lions face Vikings in regular season finale; plus injury update, prediction

It was just two weeks ago that the Lions beat the Vikings on Christmas eve. It seems longer.

That game clinched the NFC North title for Detroit. It was a huge deal.

Sunday’s rematch at 1 p.m. at Ford Field is another big deal for the Lions (11-5). While the Vikings (7-9), who have lost five of the last six, are just going home afterward, the Lions still have an outside shot at the No. 2 seed in the NFL playoffs. They need a win over Minnesota along with losses by the Cowboys and Eagles.

“You’d love to finish the season with a win, regardless of what’s in front of us after that,’’ quarterback Jared Goff said. “You want to head into the postseason with some momentum, and again, division opponent. They’re a tough team and it’ll be tough.”

You may have heard that the Lions are coming off a loss at Dallas in which they were robbed by referee Brad Allen who screwed up by not calling Taylor Decker eligible for the 2-point conversion. Fans are not over it and neither are many around the NFL who just don’t want to see any team lose in that fashion again. However, the Lions have to be over it. They’re taking their mindset from coach Dan Campbell who said he is full of controlled fury. He’s moved on and so have they.

Five things to watch:

1. While his sack numbers haven’t been as high as last year, Aidan Hutchinson has been getting pressures and getting close. At the Cowboys, he sacked Dak Prescott three times. Hutchinson could be on a roll. “You do all the hard work that you do and especially the way he plays, I mean he just, he’s relentless. He gives everything he’s got to win the rep every time and to almost, and almost, and almost get there and then you get there, and then you get there, and then you get there,’’ Campbell said. “I think that’s pretty satisfying, and I think it’s just – he’s always going to want more, but it makes you want to get more and every time you’re able to beat a double team or to beat a one-on-one a little bit faster, your confidence goes up and you gain experience doing it.” Collectively in the last game against the Vikings, the Lions collectively sacked QB Nick Mullens four times.

2. Vikings WR Justin Jefferson ate up the Lions defense two weeks ago. Expect some adjustments in the Lions’ secondary with the return of veteran defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Jefferson had six catches for 141 yards and a touchdown in that Lions win on Dec. 24. “He’s a difference-maker. He’s a dynamic player and we’ve got our hands full,’’ Campbell said. “But I do like our guys, man our guys are – I always believed they accept the challenge and they’re ready to go.”

3. The defense has been on a roll with takeaways — six in the last two games — which is crucial heading into the playoffs. “I just felt like that was the last little element there for us, defensively, and they’re on the come now. They’re showing up and we’re playing aggressive-style football,’’ Campbell said. “We’re going after the football, we’re getting after the quarterback. Everybody’s doing their responsibility and then our safeties are getting hands on the ball and when they do, they’re making the plays on them. So, and then just – there again, being able to get to the quarterback and get it out of his hand is showing up. So, I want to believe that’s here to stay. My history says it does.”

4. Keep the run game moving. In the first matchup, David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs combined for 146 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. While running backs coach Scottie Montgomery said the win is the thing, each of the guys could reach the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season. Montgomery is at 975 yards while Gibbs has 915.

5. Look for a few changes on the field with DT Alim McNeill possibly returning. FB Jason Cabinda is expected back. What you will not see is Campbell and the coaching staff getting a look at some of the younger guys for the future. Winning this game is the only thing, getting young players reps will have to wait.

INJURIES: WR Jameson Williams (ankle), TE Brock Wright (hip) and LB James Houston (ankle) are out; DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson (pectoral), DT Benito Jones (illness) and DT Alim McNeill (knee) are questionable.

PREDICTION: Lions 31, Vikings 17. It could be a bigger differential since the Lions still have hopes of a No. 2 seed and the Vikings are done.