Lions claim first division title in 30 years with win
MINNEAPOLIS — Dan Campbell towered over the podium in a black T-shirt commemorating Detroit’s first division title in 30 years, reveling in the moment as the bass from the locker room next door pulsated through the walls.
When the Lions played at Minnesota two years ago in Campbell’s first season, the 6-foot-5-inch coach cried during his postgame news conference in the emotion of a crushing loss. The NFL‘s most famously losing franchise has made major progress in so many ways.
Jahmyr Gibbs had two rushing touchdowns, Amon-Ra St. Brown had 106 receiving yards and a thirdquarter go-ahead score, and Ifeatu Melifonwu had the game-sealing interception at the 5-yard line with 49 seconds left to lead the Lions past the injury-ravaged Vikings, 30-24, Sunday.
“I’m proud of all the Lions fans out there who’ve been dying for this for years,” Campbell said. “That was for you, too.”
Nick Mullens was intercepted four times to offset two touchdowns on 411 passing yards, none more crushing or cringe-worthy for Minnesota than the underthrown ball to an open Justin Jefferson three plays after his leaping grab in double coverage on third and 27 kept the lastminute drive alive.
“Losing the turnover battle, you’re most likely going to lose every time,” Jefferson said.
Jared Goff passed for 257 yards without a turnover and David Montgomery had a rushing touchdown for the Lions in another prolific performance by one of the NFL’s most potent offenses. Detroit (11-4) secured a home playoff game for the first time in 22 seasons at Ford Field, where an NFC North champions banner will soon hang. The last one was for winning the NFC Central in 1993.
“I can’t even imagine it because I’m only 24,” Melifonwu said.
As the players danced and the music blared in the raucous Ford Field locker room afterward, Lions owner Sheila Ford Hamp joined the celebration. Campbell gave a shoutout to offensive linemen Taylor Decker and Frank Ragnow, and the team’s two longest-tenured players teared up.
“You don’t realize how much it means to you until it happens,” Ragnow
said.
The Lions’ 20 victories since the start of the 2022 seasons are the most in franchise history in a twoyear span.
“This was the chance,” St. Brown said. “We couldn’t let it slip.”
Mullens threw for two scores, a diving 26-yard catch by Jefferson with 29 seconds left in the first half and a 6-yard toss to K.J. Osborn that gave the Vikings (7-8) a 21-17 lead early in the third quarter one play after a 47-yard heave to Osborn.
But like the week before in an overtime loss at Cincinnati, the turnovers weighed heavily on the outcome. Kerby Joseph’s first of two picks gave the Lions the ball at the Minnesota 33 in the second quarter, and they reached the end zone in three plays.
Goff was sharp in a redemptive game for him against Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, whose schemes had given him plenty of trouble in previous matchups with New England and Miami when Goff was with the Los Angeles Rams, including a loss to the Patriots in Super Bowl 53.
Jefferson played at home for the first time since Oct. 8, when he hurt his hamstring and missed seven games, but the Vikings have had their depth tested more than ever. Wide receiver Jordan Addison (ankle, second quarter), tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee, third quarter), cornerback Mekhi Blackmon (shoulder, third quarter), and edge rusher D.J. Wonnum (quadriceps, fourth quarter) left with injuries. That’s on top of the torn Achilles’ tendon suffered on Oct. 29 by quarterback Kirk Cousins, a problem the Vikings have yet to solve.
“Proud of our guys for the way they battled,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said. “Got to tip your hat to Dan and his group over there.”
Jefferson (5,648 in 58 games) passed Michael Thomas (5,512 in 63 games) for the most receiving yards in a player’s first four seasons in history.