Pro Blue: The Detroit Lions win their first division championship in thirty years thanks to the efforts of three former Wolverines.
For supporters of the Detroit Lions, Christmas arrived early on Sunday as Dan Campbell led the team to victory over the Minnesota Vikings and its first division title in thirty years.
The Lions have benefited from former Wolverines throughout the season, especially in this most recent victory.
Prior to Week 16, Aidan Hutchinson, a defensive back who was leading the league in quarterback hurries and pressures, had four pressures and one pass defensed versus Minnesota.
Donovan Peoples-Jones made an 11-yard reception on the offensive end to help convert a crucial third down throughout the fourth quarter.
Starting at right guard, Graham Glasgow helped the Lions rush for three touchdowns and 143 yards while merely permitting Jared Goff to receive a sacked once.
Chargers CBs Michael Davis as Asante Samuel Jr. oppose Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
In victories against Chicago and the Jets, the Los Angeles secondary has managed to restrict two subpar passing offenses.
How well the team performs against St. Brown, who is among the top 10 NFL wide receivers with 57 receptions and 665 yards received, will be determined in large part by how much progress the unit has made defensively.
Though they’ve already won their first division championship in thirty years, they still have prospects that 21st-century Lions fans could never have envisioned.
Lions coach Dan Campbell stated, “We have checked the box off one thing, and now it is on to the next one.” “You know, we’re battling for the No. 2 seed.
We’re now focusing on what we can accomplish on our own initiative, but if we can reach No. 1, that’s great.”
If the Lions defeat the Dallas Cowboys and the Minnesota Vikings at home, they will secure at least the No. 2 spot in the NFC. At worst, they will finish as the third seed.
“That’s not an easy task,” Campbell remarked. “We must travel to Dallas. They play exceptionally well at home and haven’t lost in, I don’t know, how many games. Although it will be noisy, we are excited about it.”
But the Lions need a little assistance in order to secure the top seed. They need someone to defeat the San Francisco 49ers and win their final two games.
Following his absence due to an abdominal ailment during Week 5 versus Carolina, St. Brown has participated in three consecutive 100-yard games.
Thus, quarterback Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams has the highest chance of being Detroit’s first-round bye choice. In Week 18, the Rams and 49ers square off, and both sides may need the victory.
Thanks to the combination of rookie Jahmyr Gibbs (872 yards, nine touchdowns, plus 51 grabs) and David Montgomery (910 yards, 11 touchdowns), the Lions have run for 2,116 yards and 24 touchdowns. In the last eight games, Detroit has scored 100 yards, and in the last five, at least 140.
Although the Lions had to trade D’Andre Swift for a fourth-round pick in order to acquire Gibbs, a first-round pick, he has emerged as a vital player in the team’s attack.
Detroit’s secondary problems persist. On Sunday, Nick Mullins completed passes for 411 yards with two touchdowns at an average of 18.7 yards per yard; yet, he could have caused much more damage with a more skilled pocket passer.
Bell’s second touchdown in the NFL was this one. Jake Moody made his lone field goal try from 45 yards out and two extra points in that same game, and cornerback Ambry Thomas recorded four solo tackles and one pass defensed.
“It’s not a simple task,” Campbell stated. “We must travel to Dallas. They play exceptionally well at home and haven’t lost in, I don’t know, how many games. Although it will be noisy, we are excited about it.
But the Lions need a little assistance in order to secure the top seed. They need someone to defeat the San Francisco 49ers and win their final two games.
Folsom had Justin Jefferson wide open for what would have been the game-winning touchdown in the final minute, but Jefferson was unable to complete the pass.