DETROIT – Even with a 14-2 record at the tail end of the best regular season in franchise history, the Lions didn’t need to look far to find disrespect entering their finale against the Vikings on Sunday.
The Lions’ defensive players knew what was being said about them: that they were too injured to slow down elite teams, that the Lions couldn’t win big games in January because of them.
They finished the regular season by defying that logic and making a statement.
“We showed everybody that all that narrative that, ‘They can’t keep this up, the injuries matter, they’re not the same defense…’ Check the scoreboard,” Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold said.
That scoreboard showed a 31-9 Lions win on Sunday night as the Lions’ defense recorded one of its best games of the season in holding the Vikings without a touchdown.
That performance raised hopes that the unit can overcome a slew of injuries and help carry the Lions through a deep playoff run – something that has been in doubt over the last month of the season.
“I felt like we went out there and had a good game against them the first time, but there was that agenda or narrative that was pushed all week that we were going to struggle,” Lions defensive lineman DJ Reader said. “And I just couldn’t understand why they felt that way if they watched the game last time.”
The narrative about the Lions’ defense stemmed from its personnel issues: the team has lost 11 defensive players to injured reserve this season, most notably defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, cornerback Carlton Davis, defensive lineman Alim McNeill and linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez.
Those personnel issues appeared to take their toll late in the season: the Lions gave up 48 points at home in a loss to the Bills in Week 15 and 34 points in a Week 17 Monday night shootout win against the 49ers.
But against the Vikings – and with a key player in linebacker Alex Anzalone back from injury – the Lions defense looked as good as it has all season. Minnesota’s 142 passing yards were its lowest of the season as it was held to single-digit scoring for the first time all year.
Safety Kerby Joseph said the Lions’ defensive gameplan revolved around getting pressure on Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold. The former No. 3 pick has had a breakout season in Minnesota, but the Lions felt like his history showed that he was prone to be shaky when facing pressure.
“All week in practice this is what we practiced, we were going to apply pressure,” Joseph said. “That was the mindset this game, apply pressure, make them uncomfortable. Sam Darnold, he had a couple of games in the past where he struggled with pressure.”
The Lions recorded just two sacks but consistently chased Darnold, who went just 18-for-41 passing, repeatedly overthrowing receivers. He entered the game completing 68 percent of his passes.
Some of the most critical pressure on Darnold came in the red zone. The Vikings quarterback went just 1-for-10 passing on plays inside the Lions’ 15-yard-line. On four consecutive drives that reached inside Detroit’s 15-yard-line, the Vikings managed just six points on two field goals with two turnovers on downs.
“I feel like we got our swagger back after that,” Branch said of the Lions’ fourth-down stops.
While the Lions’ pass rush was pestering Darnold, Detroit’s secondary took an aggressive stance against a talented Vikings wide receiver corps.
Justin Jefferson, who had averaged more than 125 yards receiving per game in nine games against the Lions, was limited to 54 yards on three catches in an effort led by Amik Robertson. Jordan Addison had just one catch.
The Lions’ secondary said that they played an abnormally large amount of man coverage against those receivers and didn’t get burned.
“We ran it the whole game,” Branch said. “I don’t think anyone else is doing that.”
That performance helped buy time for the Lions’ offense to find its groove. Detroit had just 10 points late in the third quarter, when their offense erupted for three straight touchdowns to put the game away.
Afterward, that offense knew who to thank.
“We all heard the narrative the last few weeks, counting our defense out, and they played unbelievable today,” Lions tight end Sam LaPorta said. “It’s funny how teams step up and when their number’s called they stepped up and made big plays.”
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