Jahmyr Gibbs scores 4 touchdowns as Lions take down Vikings to win NFC North, secure No. 1 seed in playoffs

The Detroit Lions are the NFC North champions, having defeated the Minnesota Vikings, 31-9, to win the division title in consecutive seasons.

Not only will they be crowned division champions, but the Lions will also be the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

Meanwhile, the Vikings are the No. 1 seed. 5 as the top three wild card players in the NFC. Instead of a bye week, they will be heading to Los Angeles to face the Rams next weekend.

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This had “Game of the Year” written all over it, as the two best offenses in the league were pitted against each other to determine who would win the division title in 60 minutes of play.

But the shooting was nowhere to be seen at Ford Field on Sunday night, and much of that had to do with Aaron Glenn’s heavy pressure from the Lions’ defense on Sam Darnold and the Vikings’ offense.

On the other hand, the Lions used the man who leads the NFL in touchdowns this season, Jahmyr Gibbs, who added four to his total in this important game.

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Gibbs, who is getting a lot of snaps with running back David Montgomery, made nine plays for the Lions with a 25-yard burst into the end zone that put the Lions up 7-0 in the first quarter. .

Surprisingly, it was the only touchdown scored in the first half, but Gibbs got Detroit ahead in the second half when head coach Dan Campbell went for it on fourth-and-2 at the Minnesota 10-yard line, and Jared Goff threw a field goal. the ball on his wide open back for a 10-yard score.

Then, after the Vikings missed a deep field goal attempt, Gibbs found another crease, this time going 13 yards to blow the doors on the game early in the fourth quarter, 24-9.

Now, this game wouldn’t have been so close if Darnold, who has been one of the NFL’s best players all season, had taken advantage of his opportunities in the red zone.

Minnesota Vikings linebacker Pat Jones II (91) presses Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (MAGN)

At the beginning of the second quarter, Darnold had a first and first goal for the Vikings at the 5-yard line in Detroit, but he could not get into the end zone after a couple of deflected throws to Justin Jefferson, while he also failed to see an open Jordan Addison. and in the apartment.

Then, after the Vikings defense picked off Goff on the first of two plays, Minnesota couldn’t find an end zone from the seven-yard line this time, and the worst throw appeared to be Darnold.

Darnold was harassed all game with Glenn dialing up the pressure, forcing the Vikings star to speed up his “quarterback clock” as he continued his development. He ultimately finished 18-for-41 for 166 yards — his lowest total of the season — as the Vikings did not score a touchdown.

The victory was prevented by Gibbs for the fourth time in this game, which was the momentum he carried until he entered the Lions stadium. It started with a 47-yard run to push him over 100 yards rushing on the night.

Then, after the Lions got the Vikings to jump into the neutral zone on 4th and 2, Gibbs bulldozed his way into the end zone, carrying multiple Vikings defenders for a four-yard touchdown run for his fourth touchdown of the night. .

Gibbs finished the game with 139 rushing yards on 23 carries and 31 receiving yards on his big night, while Amon-Ra St. Brown had six catches for 77 yards to lead the Lions in the air.

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26), right, celebrates a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings with wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) in the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (MAGN)

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Goff was 27-for-33 for 231 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.

With the elimination of the NFC North, the 2024 NFL regular season has come to an end, and the playoffs are scheduled for Wild Card Weekend in a few days.

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