Grading Everything Else
Coaching Staff: 5/5 stars
If noting else, Dan Campbell’s staff is incredibly bold. Moments into the third quarter, Detroit led 14-7 but faced a fourth down deep in their own territory. Conventional logic would suggest a punt, but Dan Campbell and Dave Fipp instead chose to dial up a fake to extend the drive and C.J. Moore busted loose for 42 yards. Detroit ended up scoring a momentum-taking touchdown after the fake.
On the Lions’ final drive of the game they faced a 3rd-and-7, and first down would have essentially ended the game. Ben Johnson dug deep into his bag of tricks and called perhaps the best play of the season.
Right tackle Penei Sewell not only lined up out to the left, he went in motion.
No. 58 reports as an eligible receiver. No. 58 is an eligible receiver.@peneisewell58 #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/DiihvbkkeS
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 11, 2022
The coaching staff pulled out all the stops to secure the win on Sunday.
Play of the game: Jameson Williams’s 41-yard touchdown catch
The electrifying rookie was due to receive a bigger workload as he works his way back from a torn ACL. Williams has the ability to threaten defenses vertically like few receivers in the league. The Vikings’ secondary never got that memo.
FIRST NFL CATCH IS A TOUCHDOWN FOR @bigsgjamo!#MINvsDET | 📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/2vd9oiRmYe
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 11, 2022
As far as first career catches go, that’s a pretty special one. Not bad for a “welcome to the NFL” moment for the 12th overall pick in April’s draft.
Final thoughts:
Now sitting at 6-7, combined with the Giants losing, Detroit is just a game and a half out of a wildcard spot. Considering the remaining schedules for the Lions, Giants, Commanders, and Seahawks, Detroit has a very good shot to make the playoffs if they can get to nine wins.
The Lions’ shot at the playoffs has rapidly changed from fantasy to plausible. Can Detroit rattle off a few more wins and change their odds from plausible to probable? Story to be continued.