The clash between the Lions and Vikings was not just a regular game; it was a battle for supremacy in the NFC North. Both teams had fought hard throughout the season, but only one could emerge as the division champion. The stakes were high, and the tension was palpable.
From the first whistle, it was evident that both teams were determined to leave everything on the field. The Lions' offense, led by their star quarterback, showcased their prowess with precision passes and well-executed plays. On the other hand, the Vikings' defense proved to be formidable, putting immense pressure on their opponents.
The victory gives the Lions 11 wins on the season for the first time since 2014 and guarantees they will play at least their first playoff game in the friendly confines of Ford Field. The win also guarantees them at least the No. 3 seed in the NFC playoffs.
"That's a hell of a win," Lions head coach Dan Campbell said. "I'm proud of a number of people in this organization. Certainly, proud of the coaches and the players. Man, this is special. It's something you don't get to do all the time. It's always special to win the division, I don't care how many of them you get because of the work that goes into it.
One play after he sacked Goff for an 11-yard loss, Patrick Jones was called for a dubious roughing-the-passer penalty that made the Vikings livid. The crowd howled when Blackmon took a hand to the facemask that wasn't called.
Then later on that same drive, when Jordan Hicks hit Goff as he tried to let a pass go, the ball tumbled out and Camryn Bynum scooped it up for what would have been an 82-yard touchdown return. The call was overturned to an incompletion, and the Lions continued on for a field goal.
Though the Vikings playoff chances took a hit on Sunday, Hicks expressed how grateful he was to be back on the field with his teammates and in front of fans at U.S. Bank Stadium.
"There were plenty of moments that I was reminding myself that I was on the couch just a week ago watching this game," Hicks said. "I was saying out loud and telling the guys that we are lucky to do this. We are lucky to be in this opportunity. So there is a major, major appreciation for being back out there."
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