Two great teams bludgeoning each other. That’s what America saw as the Detroit Lions hosted the Minnesota Vikings on NBC’s Sunday Night Football. 

“I don’t think Sam Darnold has been hit this much since he’s gotten in the NFL,” said NBC Game Analyst Cris Collinsworth of the Vikings quarterback in the third quarter. “This has just been a beat down.” 

Lions quarterback Jared Goff took his own shots, as reported by Michigan Sports Media in real time on X. 

“Goff sacked after Gibbs SMACKED. Lions will punt. Vikings ball in good field position.” 

In the end, the biggest question seemed like it would be who could survive more intact than the other. Only one would leave as NFC North champion, No. 1 seed in the conference, have home field advantage throughout the playoffs and, most importantly, have a bye next week during the opening round of the NFL playoffs. Precious reward for time to heal from tonight’s blood sport. 

The final score of 31-9 would not tell the full tale of survival the Lions won. These were two heavyweights in a war of attrition. On this night, it was the Lions who could keep pushing forward. 

The X factor was Jahmyr Gibbs, and the Lions made it clear they would lean on him early and throughout the contest. His final stat line was 28 touches, 170 combined yards and four touchdowns. 

The Lions can ride Gibbs through the playoffs if Goff isn’t at his best, which he wasn’t tonight with two interceptions. 

Then there’s the Dan Campbell effect, where aggressiveness begets aggressiveness. It was real on both sides, twice causing the Vikings to go for fourth and goal situations, getting neither, and sacrificing points in an early low-score game. Campbell had set the tone earlier on the Lions’ first scoring drive by going for a fourth down and getting it. 

Congratulations to the NFC North Champion Detroit Lions. It sounds good, but there is work still to do. 

The Lions can win a very competitive NFC. They have the previously mentioned bye week, a much needed break since their Week 5 bye. And every team they could face on the NFC side of the bracket has its flaws. 

The Lions just beat, arguably, the second best team in the conference. Did the Vikings get exposed? To stop them, apply physical coverage on Justin Jefferson and other receiving targets while unleashing constant pressure on Sam Darnold. They were discombobulated. How many times did the play clock run out before the snap (called by the refs or not)? Now, the Vikings have to play a rested Rams team, in Los Angeles, in the Wildcard round as the NFC’s fifth seed. 

The Eagles, at home as the No. 2 seed, should get past the Packers, but starting quarterback Jalen Hurts remains in concussion protocol. The Packers’ quarterback also injured his throwing elbow, though he says he will play against the Eagles despite numbness in his hand, according to Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports. 

The Commanders at Buccaneers game is a toss up. Both teams scraped and clawed their way into the playoffs. The Buccaneers do hold a Week 2 win over the Lions, but the two teams can’t meet again unless they both make the NFC title game. As for Washington, it should be repeated until it’s proven wrong that no rookie quarterback has started in the Super Bowl. Can Jayden Daniels be the first? 

The Rams are the lowest seeded division champion, but they rested starters Week 18. They may prevent a Lions-Vikings rematch in the Divisional Round if they can take advantage of their home field advantage. Imagine the Rams facing Goff and the Lions in two weeks in Detroit. A big story would be Matthew Stafford coming home to face Detroit’s new favored quarterback, but the bigger story would be the Rams’ 26th ranked defense (through Week 17, per FOX Sports) trying to stop the Lions’ No. 2 ranked offense. 

Time will tell who the Lions face in their opening playoff game and what challenges lie ahead. 

For now, soak up the night. Enjoy being NFC North Champions. This was a hard-fought season, as the injury report will tell you. 

Rest for a week. 

You deserve this, Detroit. 

Photo by Jeff Nguyen / Detroit Lions