The Detroit Lions kept their postseason hopes alive and well as they followed up a convincing win over the Chicago Bears with some scoreboard watching on their way home. Players and coaches alike tuned in to see Washington hand Philadelphia a critical loss, a result that significantly impacted the NFC playoff picture.
“I was streaming it on my phone,” said quarterback Jared Goff, who had a stellar performance in the Lions’ 34-17 victory in Chicago, throwing for 336 yards and three touchdowns. “It seemed like everyone else on the team was doing the same.”
With two games remaining in the regular season, both Detroit and Minnesota boast identical 13-2 records, setting up a heated competition for the NFC North title and the coveted top seed in the conference. The Eagles, now 12-3, are trailing slightly in the race. Notably, Detroit and Minnesota will clash in a high-stakes season finale on January 5 at Ford Field.
Next on Detroit’s agenda is a Monday night showdown against the struggling San Francisco 49ers, a rematch of last season’s NFC Championship game in which the Lions squandered a 17-point lead in the second half.
“We understand the urgency,” head coach Dan Campbell emphasized on Monday. “Every game counts now.”
Meanwhile, Minnesota is set to host Green Bay (9-4) on Sunday, and Philadelphia will close its regular season with games against Dallas and the New York Giants.
“This is why you love this league,” Campbell said, reflecting on his team’s strong position. “This is what makes coaching and playing in the NFL so thrilling.”
Gibbs Steps Up
Rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs has been pivotal in Detroit’s success. Against Chicago, he had a season-high 23 carries, rushing for 109 yards and a touchdown, while also catching four passes for 45 yards. With David Montgomery sidelined due to a knee injury, Gibbs has proven he can handle a heavier workload.
Remarkably consistent, Gibbs has managed to rack up at least 70 yards in 15 consecutive games, tying a franchise record set by Hall of Famer Barry Sanders in 1997. With 1,500 total yards from scrimmage and 15 touchdowns this season, Gibbs joins Sanders and Billy Sims as the only players in Lions history to reach such a milestone.
Defense Shows Weakness
Despite the team’s success, Detroit’s pass defense remains a concern. Chicago’s Keenan Allen torched the Lions with nine receptions for 141 yards and a touchdown. Over the past three games, the Lions have allowed opponents to record at least 114 receiving yards, and they’ve surrendered 96 or more receiving yards in five consecutive outings.
Goff’s Historic Season
Jared Goff continues to cement his status as one of the league’s elite quarterbacks this season. The veteran signal-caller has thrown for at least 275 yards and two touchdowns with a passer rating of 135 or higher five times this year, a feat never accomplished before in a single season.
Goff’s 41 career 300-yard passing games are on par with legends like Dan Marino and Matt Ryan through their first nine seasons. Only Patrick Mahomes, with 47 such games in eight years, has a higher total. Under Goff’s leadership, the Lions have already scored a franchise-record 493 points in just 15 games, surpassing the previous record of 474 points set in 2011.
Jameson Williams Shines Amid Maturity Questions
Wide receiver Jameson Williams had a breakout performance against the Bears, notching a career-high 143 receiving yards, including an 82-yard touchdown. However, his immaturity was on display earlier in the game when he was flagged for taunting, resulting in a costly 15-yard penalty. Head coach Dan Campbell didn’t hesitate to address the mistake, but Williams rebounded to deliver his best game in three seasons.
Injury Updates
The Lions are hoping for reinforcements as they prepare for their game against San Francisco. Starting guard Graham Glasgow, who missed the Chicago game with a knee injury, is expected to return. Safety Ifeatu Melifonwu made his season debut against the Bears after recovering from Achilles and finger injuries, while linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin may be cleared to play against the 49ers. Additionally, linebacker Alex Anzalone is nearing a return to practice.
Dominance in the NFC North
Detroit’s dominance in the NFC North continues, as they’ve now won seven straight divisional games dating back to last season. The Lions remain the NFL’s only undefeated team in road games this year, and they’ll aim to extend their franchise-record streak to eight road victories in San Francisco.
If Detroit can secure another win, it will set up a thrilling showdown with Minnesota to determine the division champion and potentially the NFC’s No. 1 seed.
