Tag: David Montgomery

Detroit Lions win NFC North title with 30-24 win at Vikings; first division crown in 30 years

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.

Five things to watch as the Lions face the Bears in Chicago; plus, prediction

The weather forecast may be holiday-perfect —  just another cold, wintry Sunday at Soldier Field on Sunday when the Lions play the Bears.

It will be the second meeting for the NFC North rivals. Chicago (4-8)  may still be a little angry at themselves for giving up a late fourth-quarter lead a few weeks ago at Ford Field to Detroit (9-3). The Lions still sit atop the NFC North with the Bears hanging out in the basement.

“Yeah, I’m not worried about the whole revenge factor. I mean, we’re hungry and we’ve got to win to win,’’ coach Dan Campbell said. “So, we want this too, now. I mean – and I think for them, look man, they’re playing pretty good football right now and they want to win. So, I think – I’m not worried about revenge, I’m worried about what this team presents.’’

The Bears present another issue – they are coming off a bye week.

“Typically, when you play a defense like this one, they’re rested. Two, specific to this game, they’re probably upset and angry about how the last game finished for them,’’ quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell said. 

“And they have time to put things in that perhaps you’re not ready for. We will be surprised on a  few things, whether it’s a front, it’s a type of pressure, it’s coverage — we’ll see something different. That usually happens every week but when a team comes off a bye you see a lot more,’’ Brunell added.

Five things to watch:

1. The defense must contain quarterback Justin Fields as much as possible. They have struggled with mobile quarterbacks and Fields carried 18 times for 104 yards in their first meeting. “He’s dangerous. He’s one of these rare, dangerous players and I’ll tell you what he’s done a really good job of, from last year to this year is once he – man, if it’s a pass and he starts to move, he’s still moving with eyes down the field much more than I felt like he had previously and that’s extremely dangerous because even in Minnesota, he had two or three receivers wide open after he had kind of run, found a way through, broke contain and all of a sudden he gets an explosive pass off of it,’’ Campbell said. “But he is dangerous and he – everything starts with him, for us defensively, and containing these guys.”

2. The weather conditions definitely will affect the game-calling. If it’s windy and rainy, Lions running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs will have to pile up yardage on the ground. While they’ve had much success, the Bears’ defense is tied for first in the NFL in rushing defense allowing just 79.0 rushing yards per game. In their first matchup, the Lions had 115 rushing yards and a pair of rushing touchdowns. 

3. After two rough games as far as turnovers, Jared Goff came back in fine form in the win at New Orleans. Even though the Chicago weather could live up to its Windy City name, Brunell expects Goff to be fine. “(Wind) doesn’t bother Jared at all. I’m pretty impressed for a guy who played in L.A., and grew up in California, how the elements don’t seem to bother him at all. It’s pretty impressive,’’ Brunell said. “He’s in his eighth year, he’s been in those games, those environments and he’s had success.’’

4. Others must step up with the absence of defensive tackle Alim McNeill who was placed on injured reserve this week. Levi Onwuzurike, Isaiah Buggs, rookie Brodric Martin and/or  Quinton Bohanna could see more playing time. Same for Bruce Irvin who made his Lions’ debut in New Orleans with 11 snaps. Campbell wants to get him more this week. 

5. The Lions defense must continue to limit explosive plays. They have allowed the third fewest run plays of 10 yards or more all season. But the chunk plays in the passing game have at times been an issue. “The thing that I try to do is look at the big picture. We’re one of the top teams in the League as far as not giving up explosive plays. So, I always try to point back to that and what we did before to not give those things up, and our guys understand that,’’ defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said. “And listen, this is a League of teams that are trying to make big plays because usually when you make big plays, obviously you’re going to get scores after that. So, that’s one thing that we try to make sure we focus on.’’

INJURIES: Center Frank Ragnow (knee, back, toe) and QB Hendon Hooker (knee) are out. LB/FB Malcolm Rodriguez (ankle) is questionable. LB Alex Anzalone (hand), who missed last week, will play.

PREDICTION: Lions 27, Bears 17. The Lions need to continue winning for their hopes of getting a home playoff game. Don’t see them letting up now.

Lions RBs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery a perfect blend, like peanut butter and jelly

ALLEN PARK — Detroit Lions running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs go together like peanut butter and jelly.

“Some people like peanut butter, some like jelly, but a lot of people like them put together. That’s where we are with both of them,’’ Lions assistant head coach and running backs coach Scottie Montgomery said on Wednesday.

“That’s kind of where we are, I’m really happy with the development. It’s the kind of vision that (GM) Brad (Holmes) and Dan (Campbell) had. They’re doing a good job,’’ he added.

David Montgomery was signed as a free agent while Gibbs was drafted in the first round (a pick many skeptics did not like). Together the two have given the Lions a running game like they have not had in years. Many years.

And, the hope is that they’re just getting started with six games left in the regular season — including Sunday’s contest at the New Orleans Saints.

“This League is tough on backs, you get hit quite a bit. Part of the plan was when we got to December how fresh, how fast, how strong, how physical, could we continue to be,’’ Scottie Montgomery said.

When David Montgomery missed a pair of games in October due to injury, Gibbs made the most of his increased opportunities and has also become a better blocker.

Both have been healthy since the bye week and able to contribute in each game. The goal is not to split their touches 50-50 but to find the perfect blend each week.

“What Ben has done, he’s done a really really good job of making sure that they’re both really involved,’’ Scottie Montgomery said.

David Montgomery has 133 carries for 648 yards, 4.9 yards per carry and nine touchdowns, along with eight catches for 88 yards.

Gibbs has rushed 109 times for 566 yards, 5.2 per carry and 5 touchdowns, along with 41 receptions for 278 yards. In the first few weeks, he was slowly given more work and then proved he was capable.

“They’re both dangerous, they’re both really good backs. Hard-pressed to find a better duo in the League right now,’’ quarterback Jared Goff said. “Those guys are doing a helluva job, it’s fun to have them behind me and when I do have to check the ball down, being able to get it in their hands is a lot of fun too.’’

MOVES: The practice window for QB Hendon Hooker was opened when he participated in Wednesday’s practice. Hooker, a 2023 third-round draft pick, was coming off ACL surgery when drafted. Until now he’s been around the team, but has not been allowed to practice. … WR Tom Kennedy was signed to the practice squad, while WR Dylan Drummond was released.

WEDNESDAY INJURY REPORT: LB Alex Anzalone (hand) no practice; LG Jonah Jackson (ankle/wrist), RB David Montgomery (foot) and S Tracy Walker (shoulder) had limited practice.