Upgraded Jan. 6, 2025, 4:52 AM UTC
It took up until the last video game of the NFL routine season, however the very first seed in the NFC playoffs has actually lastly been figured out.
Detroit's offense woke up in the 2nd half and its defense held company all night to beat NFC North competing Minnesota 31-9 and declare the No. 1 seed on “Sunday Night Football.” It was the very first conference in league history in between 2 groups with a minimum of 13 success, and it clinched the greatest postseason seed in Lions franchise history.
Either group might have declared the NFC's front runner– and with it, an important first-round bye and home-field benefit– with a win. With the loss, the Vikings (14-3) fall to the No. 5 seed. They will open the postseason Jan. 13 in Los Angeles versus the fourth-seeded Rams.
Both the Vikings and the Lions (15-2) ranked in the leading 10 in scoring average, neither group had actually exceeded 200 lawns of offense at halftime, as the Lions led 10-6. A basket early in the 3rd quarter pulled the Vikings within a point, at 10-9, however Minnesota eventually never ever took the lead.
Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs captured a 10-yard goal pass late in the 3rd quarter for a 17-9 lead, ran for a 13-yard goal early in the 4th quarter to extend the cushion to 24-9 and scored his 4th goal of the night to seal the success with 5 minutes left in policy on a brief run. The 4 goals offered Gibbs 20 this season, breaking a franchise record when held by Hall of Famer Barry Sanders.
Gibbs ended up with 139 hurrying lawns on 23 brings and captured 5 passes for 31 more lawns. Detroit quarterback Jared Goff finished 27 of his 33 passes for 231 lawns, though he tossed 2 interceptions, his most in a video game in 7 weeks.
Goff's equivalent, Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, finished just 18 of his 41 passes for a season-low conclusion portion. Among the NFL's finest groups at scoring inside the red zone, the Vikings were 0-for-4 there Sunday, while Detroit was 3-for-3.
The success didn't come without a prospective loss. Lions novice cornerback Terrion Arnold hurt a foot in the 3rd quarter and did not return after he was hauled to the locker space; Detroit, whose depth chart has actually been filled by considerable injuries, now has an opportunity to rest up with its first-round bye protected.
How the Lions assisted stop Darnold
Protective organizer Aaron Glenn might be among the most sought-after head-coaching prospects on the marketplace in the coming weeks, and this is why– holding among the most effective quarterbacks this season to a season-worst efficiency.
‘See you in 2 weeks'Final: Lions 31, Vikings 9
The Lions win and clinch home field throughout the playoffs as the NFC's No. 1 seed.
The Vikings are up to 5th and will open the postseason on the roadway.
