Game 272 of the regular season was one for the record books for the Detroit Lions.
An epic matchup of two 14-2 teams to end the regular season was dominated by the Lions in all three phases, and when it was all said and done, Detroit became NFC North champions for a second consecutive year after a 31-9 win.
The win not only captured the North title for Detroit, but also secured the team’s first No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs, which means the Lions have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
“What a win,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell said after the game. “I can’t say enough about our defense. Let me start there. AG (defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn) and the defense they really controlled that game for us, particularly in the first half.
“Just total team effort staring with our defense. Took the whole unit, but what a great job. Back-to-back division winners in the NFC North and got the No. 1 seed, 15 wins, I just couldn’t be more proud of those guys.”
Detroit’s defense was terrific all night, holding the Vikings out of the end zone and making two critical fourth-down stops inside their own 5-yard line to help seal the game. Minnesota was just 3-for-13 on third down, 0-for-3 on fourth down and 0-for-4 in the red zone.
