The Detroit Lions were on the verge of dropping to 4-2 and losing important ground to the undefeated Vikings.
With five minutes left and Minnesota leading 29-28, the Lions faced a fourth-and-20 at their own 20-yard line. Even Dan Campbell chose not to attempt it in that situation.
Punter Jack Fox took the snap with 4:25 remaining, and the Lions avoided any further mistakes.
Fox kicked the ball 63 yards, and Brandon Powell could only return it to the Vikings’ 27 with 4:16 left. Aaron Jones rushed twice for 6 yards, and Sam Darnold’s pass to Justin Jefferson fell incomplete.
Kalif Raymond returned Minnesota’s punt to the 30 with 2:41 to go, and the Lions took control of the game from that point. They used up all but 15 seconds of the clock before Jake Bates kicked a 44-yard field goal for a 31-29 victory.
“That was all three units of our team coming through when we needed them,” Campbell said Monday. “Fox with a 63-yard punt, our coverage team did well, the defense got a three-and-out, and the offense did a great job setting up Jake for the field goal.”
“All three of our coordinators had a solid plan, and the players executed it.”
After winning two home playoff games last season— the first time in franchise history— Campbell aims to stay at Ford Field until the Super Bowl. To achieve this, his team must win what has turned into the toughest division in football.
“You talk about your goals for the end of the season and then work backward to plan how to get there,” he said. “It starts with winning your division. Everything needs to run through Detroit and to do that, you have to win your division games to secure home games in the playoffs.”
