It wasn't the kind of dominant performance they've had at times this season, but the Detroit Lions got it done just fine on Sunday, beating the Indianapolis Colts 24-6. Once they got the lead in the second quarter, it was effectively over.
After a pretty even first half statistically, differentiated by touchdowns or field goals in the red zone for each offense, the Lions took control in the second half. Check out these numbers from the final 30 minutes.
Lions
Offensive plays: 42
Time of possession: 22:20
Colts
Offensive plays: 20
Time of possession: 7:40
The Lions have won nine in a row, and are now 10-1. Here are our winners and losers from the Week 11 win over the Colts.
5 winners and 2 losers from Lions' Week 11 win over the Colts
Winner: Jahmyr Gibbs
David Montgomery leaving the game with a shoulder injury in the second half left Gibbs in the lead back role, and he delivered with 90 hard-fought yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries. He had 99 yards from scrimmage.
Gibbs is the third Lion in franchise history with 1,000+ scrimmage yards and 10+ touchdowns in each of their first two seasons, joining Barry Sanders and Billy Sims.
Winner: Alim McNeill
The fact McNeill didn't get a sack on Sunday is a credit to the mobility Colts' quarterback Anthony Richardson has. The looming first-time All-Pro was consistently in Richardson's face, forcing rushed throws and drawing penalties on overmatched Indianapolis interior lineman.
Winner: Aaron Glenn
The list of pieces the Lions' defense is without is getting long, with cornerback Terrion Arnold out for this game after suffering a groin injury in practice and fellow starting cornerback Carlton Davis suffering a knee injury during the game. At the end of the game, the Lions' outside corners were Kindle Vildor and Khalil Dorsey.
Richardson had 35 rushing yards on the first drive of the game, and 26 after that. So while containing his running ability was a thing overall on stat sheet, there was marked improvement after the first drive and the Lions would've had multiple sacks if Richardson wasn't a load to bring down.
Loser: Kindle Vildor
Speaking of Vildor, let's get him out of the way here. As expected, he was overmatched in a starting role as he took Arnold's place. He allowed three catches for 61 yards in the first half, and while he didn't allow a catch in the second half there as a close call on a play down the sideline and a more accurate quarterback would have burned him more.
Winner: Tim Patrick
Patrick popped up with four catches for 55 yards against the Colts, with three of them moving the chains. He has been everything the Lions sought in their replacement for Josh Reynolds, and didn't land until he was available at final roster cuts. It feels like a matter of time before he scores his first touchdown as a Lion.
Winner: Za'Darius Smith
Smith didn't register a sack in his second game as a Lion, but he was highly impactful with several pressures and a couple of hits on Richardson. His fit was proven in his first game as a Lion, but Smith's overall impact shined through more in Sunday.
Loser: Sam LaPorta
LaPorta returned to action after missing Week 11, but he had a disjointed performance as he continues a down second season, He and Jared Goff had a miscommunication on a play that could've put the Lions deep into the red zone, he had a bad drop on his way to just three catches for 19 yards and his blocking left a lot to be desired. The dreaded sophomore slump has been real, but better days are surely ahead for LaPorta.