It has been a while since the last game of the regular season was not the end of the Detroit Lions campaign. The Lions with a win over the Vikings won their 12th game. The most they’ve won in a single season since 1991.
In three seasons as head coach, Dan Campbell now has a record of 24-26-1. Which is impressive considering he started out 4-19-1. The turnaround the Lions have undergone has been dramatic and pretty quick, to say the least.
Now he awaits his biggest test yet- a playoff game. There are multiple possible Wild Card Round opponents, though that number has dwindled since the start of Sunday's action. No matter who it is though, you know the Lions will be amped up and ready to go.
Here is our Week 18 Lions report card.
Detroit Lions Week 18 Report Card
Offense: 4/5 Stars
A fairly streaky day for the Lions' offense. The run game wasn’t at its best, so the onus was on the passing attack to pick up the slack. Fortunately it did, most of the time. Jared Goff was in full command and led the Lions down the field numerous times. Jack Fox got his fair share of punts in this game, but to make up for it Goff was great at finding his weapons for explosive plays.
Let it rip, JG‼️#MINvsDET | 📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/2pb0CCDRCH
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) January 7, 2024
Another huge component of this win was the fact that the Lions did what the Vikings could not- finish drives in the end zone consistently. That ultimately was the difference in the game. Detroit posted 30 points for the ninth time this season and finished the regular season top-five in points per game.
Offensive player of the game: WR Amon-Ra St. Brown
Surprise, surprise, Amon-Ra St. Brown had a strong day. In fact, it was his second-highest yardage total of the season (144). The noted Pro Bowl snub finishes the best season of his career with 119 receptions, 1,515 yards, and 10 touchdowns.
He’s the best wide receiver the Lions have, and they will need him to show out in the playoffs.