Lions 31 — Vikings 9 | Like the Lions

Since the hiring of Dan Campbell, the Detroit Lions have climbed the ranks thanks to their unwavering audacity, their collective intensity and their irresistible desire to win their way, whatever the cost. For these same reasons, they beat the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday in the most anticipated matchup of the season.

The issue of this 272^e and final game on the NFL schedule was of paramount importance. The winner would finish first in the National Conference North Division and at the top of the association. This title came with a bye week, a bye in the first round of the playoffs, plus the guarantee of playing all of its playoff games at home.

And the Lions made short work of the Vikings. A final score of 31-9. Yet the Lions delivered exactly what the Vikings should have expected. A calculated balance of passing and running, aggressive situational Football and steady, stifling pressure on the quarterback. If the Lions won, it was because they remained themselves.

Le spectacle Gibbs

The Lions can count on the most dynamic, versatile and balanced attack of the 32 teams on the Goodell circuit.

First in points per game and completion percentage. Second in net yards per game and passing yards. Third for efficiency in the pay zone and rushing touchdowns.

However, the Vikings played as if they did not take their opponents seriously. So, Detroit applied the same recipe as usual to get the same result as usual.

At the end of the first quarter, with neither team yet to score, the Lions opted for an extra play on fourth down and five yards. Nothing surprising, because the team excels in this type of situation with a success rate of 68.97%. Jameson Williams, left alone, caught the pass with ease. On the next play, Jahmyr Gibbs scored his team’s first touchdown on a 25-yard run.

At the end of the third quarter, the locals led 10-9. On fourth down and two yards, the Vikings applied no pressure on the Lions. Gibbs caught a short pass from Jared Goff for 10 yards to give his team an eight-point lead.

Gibbs also scored two more touchdowns during the game to complete the season with 20 touchdowns, an NFL high.

The second-year player is a constant threat and he proved in this game why he remains the most dangerous weapon on this ammo-filled team with 139 yards rushing and 31 passing.

The Lions’ temerity paid off against the fourth most productive defense: 394 net yards, four touchdowns, 50% success on fourth down, in addition to being perfect on three attempts in the paying zone. Football is often mathematical, but there was nothing scientific in this duel, because the winners simply used a formula already proven and almost guaranteed to succeed.

The true face of the Vikings

With their brilliant and surprising record, the Minnesota players aspired to the title of National champions until the last match. But in the most important part of the season, the Vikings got outclassed.

Sam Darnold completed 18 of his 41 passes. Justin Jefferson caught three of the nine passes thrown his way. And Aaron Jones didn’t even reach the 50-yard rushing mark.

The only player to score points was kicker Will Reichard, with three field goals.

Darnold has not been a shadow of his former self. He looked more like the quarterback abandoned by three organizations than the MVP candidate he became.

Disoriented, limited and imprecise, the Vikings quarterback notably missed four passes to tight end TJ Hockenson in a third down situation.

However, the most telling sequence occurred late in the first half, when the Vikings found themselves in the pay zone. Three times Darnold targeted Jefferson. And three times his passes lacked vigor and skill. His best receiver had no chance.

The quarterback learned the hard way that you can’t beat one of the best teams in the NFL by missing 10 of 13 third-down opportunities and generating just 142 air yards. The Lions defense gave nothing, but the Vikings did not play up to their performance.

Or was this, in truth, their true face? Like a luxury car, this team looks great. She looks away. However, this splendor hides defects which only appear during bad weather. And like a storm, the Lions forced the Vikings to show that they may not be built for all conditions.

The Vikings won 14 duels. Eleven of these victories came against teams that will not participate in the playoffs. When they faced competitive teams, like the Lions and Los Angeles Rams, they lost. Against the Green Bay Packers, twice, they won by just two points.

Kevin O’Connell’s team has flaws. And they were on display Sunday evening. On the other hand, Lions know how to roar when they want to defend their kingdom. Something they also proved during the last match of the season.