Jahmyr Gibbs shines for Lions as Detroit throttles Minnesota, plus large video games from Bo Nix and Mike Evans

The Detroit Lions beat the Minnesota Vikings 31-9 within the ultimate recreation of the NFL’s common season Sunday, clinching each the NFC North title and the convention’s prime seed.

Detroit can have home-field benefit all through the playoffs after an opening-round bye.

Operating again Jahmyr Gibbs starred for the Lions on Sunday. He had 139 yards and three touchdowns on the bottom to associate with 31 yards receiving and one other rating within the air.

Lions quarterback Jared Goff, in the meantime, accomplished 27 of 33 passes for 231 yards and a rating, plus two interceptions.

Vikings sign caller Sam Darnold struggled. He accomplished solely 18 of his 41 makes an attempt, throwing for under 166 yards with no touchdowns.

‘SNF’ weblog: Look again at how the sport unfolded

Minnesota’s offense particularly struggled within the pink zone. In 4 journeys inside Detroit’s 20-yard line, the Vikings scored simply six factors. Twice they didn’t convert on 4th-and-goal from contained in the 5.

The sport was a defensive battle within the first half, with the groups combining for just one landing. After Gibbs scored within the first quarter, the Vikings minimize the result in 7-6 with two second-quarter subject targets. The Lions made it 10-6 as the primary half expired with a subject objective of their very own.

The second half was all Detroit. After an interception by Goff on the crew’s first drive of the second quarter, he led the Lion to a landing on three straight possessions. In that point, Minnesota made one subject objective, missed one other and punted whereas down two scores.

The Lions completed the common season 15-2, a three-win enchancment from final yr’s 12-5 marketing campaign. Detroit made it to the NFC championship recreation a season in the past however misplaced on the street to the San Francisco 49ers. This yr, the Lions won’t should play away from dwelling within the playoffs until they make the Tremendous Bowl.

The loss is a bitter one for the Vikings. Regardless of enhancing its document by seven wins from final season — going from 7-10 to 14-3 — Minnesota must open the postseason on the street. Darnold, regardless of his struggles Sunday, was a revelation. Beginning rather than injured rookie J.J. McCarthy, he threw for 35 touchdowns.

The Vikings will open their playoff schedule Jan. 13 towards the Los Angeles Rams.

Detroit can have every week to relaxation because it awaits its opponent.

Across the NFL The wild-card spherical is official for subsequent weekend: 

• No. 5 Los Angeles Chargers at No. 4 Houston Texans (4:30 p.m. ET Saturday)
• No. 6 Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 3 Baltimore Ravens (8 p.m. ET Saturday)
• No. 7 Denver Broncos at 2. Buffalo Payments (1 p.m. ET Sunday)
• No. 7 Inexperienced Bay Packers at No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles (4:30 p.m. ET Sunday)
• No. 6 Washington Commanders at No. 3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8 p.m. ET Sunday)
• No. 5 Minnesota Vikings at No. 4 Los Angeles Rams (8 p.m. ET Jan. 13)

The Lions and the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, No. 1 seeds within the NFC and the AFC, respectively, can have first-round byes. 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers received the AFC South with a 27-19 win towards the New Orleans Saints. They obtained a giant efficiency from receiver Mike Evans, who completed with 9 receptions for 89 yards. It was his eleventh straight season with not less than 1,000 receiving yards, tying the legendary wideout Jerry Rice.

The Denver Broncos obtained into the playoffs after a 38-0 win over the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (who had been resting most starters with the No. 1 seed secured). Rookie quarterback Bo Nix was spectacular with 321 yards passing with 4 touchdowns and no interceptions. He turned the primary rookie quarterback ever with a number of video games of not less than 300 yards passing, 4 landing passes and a passer score of 140 or increased. 

The New York Jets defeated the Miami Dolphins 32-20 in what may have been Aaron Rodgers’ ultimate recreation. He went out with a bang, throwing 4 touchdowns, for 503 common season landing passes in his profession. He turned the fifth participant in NFL historical past with greater than 500 common season landing passes, becoming a member of Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning and Brett Favre.