‘We’re No. 1′: Detroit Lions set franchise records as multitude of players shine on SNF

DETROIT – The Detroit Lions are your No. 1 seed in the NFC for the first time in franchise history as they dismantled the high-powered Minnesota Vikings 31-9 on Sunday Night Football.

With the victory, the Lions got a first-round bye and won the NFC North Division for consecutive years.

The Lions improved to 15-2, which is a franchise record for wins in a season.

Their impressive performance was thanks in part to their injury-depleted defense, which lost even more players as starting cornerback Terrion Arnold was carted off the field during Sunday’s (Jan. 5) matchup after an apparent ankle injury.

Cornerback Amik Robertson was the man of the hour on the defensive side of the ball as he locked down Justin Jefferson, who had three catches for 54 yards on nine targets.

“Detroit gave me a chance to come in and showcase what I can do, and I just wanted to come out here and show them that I was the guy for the job,” said Robertson. “This is an unbelievable feeling. We got some great fans, and some great coaches, and some unbelievable teammates. This is an unreal feeling.”

The return of Captain America, also known as linebacker Alex Anzalone, set the stage as he returned after missing six games and racked up seven tackles, one quarterback hit, and one pass deflection.

Anzalone spoke to NBC on the importance of securing the No. 1 seed for the first time in franchise history.

“It means a lot for the city and for the team, as we had a Week 5 bye,” said Anzalone. “It will feel good to get a nice bye-week to reenergize and recoup and get ready for the divisional round.”

But the star of the show was running back Jahmyr Gibbs. He literally carried the team on his back as he toted the rock 28 times for 170 yards and four touchdowns in the victory.

His four scores placed him at the top of the league with the most touchdowns during the 2024-25 season, as he notched his 20th during Sunday Night Football.

Gibbs said he loved getting the football, and by his performance, he wasn’t lying, as he finished with 20 touchdowns.

“I don’t even know how many times I got the ball,” said Gibbs. “I didn’t know the number of touchdowns, but I knew I was close. But I contribute my performance to my offensive line and the play callers as they did a great job. We work hard every week and it paid off.”

For the fifth time this season, Gibbs produced over 100 yards rushing, joining Lions icon Barry Sanders, who had last completed such success in 1997.

He also tied a franchise record as he produced over 100 scrimmage yards and a touchdown in four consecutive games.

The second-year back tied Sanders in the first quarter when he produced his 17th touchdown from scrimmage, tying the single-season franchise record set by Sanders.

Sanders achieved this milestone during the 1991 season, but the two running backs are the only players in franchise history to have produced a season with over 1,700 yards from scrimmage and 17 touchdowns.

After Gibbs scored the game’s first touchdown, kicker Jake Bates chipped in the extra point to help the Lions take a 7-0 lead.

The chip shot linked Bates and Gibbs, who became the first teammates in franchise history to each produce 100 or more points in a season.

Bates kicked a 48-yard field goal as the clock expired to end the first half, knocking in another three points to his historic season with the Lions as they led 10-6.

The rushing touchdown to open the game was Gibbs' fourth of 25 or more yards this season, joining Sanders (1995, 1997) again and Nick Pietrosante (1960) as the only players to achieve such success in team history.

To extend the lead to 17-9, Gibbs caught a touchdown in the third quarter for his 18th score of the season, which was a new single-season record.

Gibbs got the hat trick to open the fourth quarter with his 19th touchdown, which was the most in the National Football League during the 2024 season.

Gibbs followed that up with his fourth touchdown of the night to help the Lions take a 31-9 lead to accomplish his 20th of the season, extending his franchise record.

His huge day gave the Lions home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Knowing what we know from experience, fans inside Ford Field can get pretty rowdy as their cheers can be defining as they are on the verge of breaking decibel levels, which is something hall of fame wide receiver Calvin Johnson says he can’t wait to experience again.

“I’m just excited that the game has got to come through Detroit,” said Johnson. “This is a tough place as nobody wants to come here, and we’re playing light’s out defense even though we’re battered right now. So the offense will continue to put up points, which is a good combination.”

The Lions improved to 11-2 in primetime games under head coach Dan Campbell.

They’re also the ninth team in league history to reach the 15-win mark in a season.

With all of that being said, look for the Lions to get some reinforcements in two weeks, as they could potentially get running back David Montgomery could be re-inserted.

They could also get healthier on the defensive side of the ball as well, but only time will tell.