NFL Week 16 Game Recap: Detroit Lions 30, Minnesota Vikings 24

The Detroit Lions delivered a clutch performance on the road against a divisional opponent to come away with the win, fending off the Minnesota Vikings, and more importantly, securing the team’s first division title since 1993.

Offensive spotlight: The Lions started the game with solid production from their running backs, as both David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs found the end zone for both of the team’s first-half touchdowns. Both Montgomery and Gibbs had their fair share of carries with Montgomery running the ball 17 times for 55 yards while Gibbs ran 15 times for 80 yards with the two combining for three touchdowns on the day. Amon-Ra St. Brown was the top receiving target once again this week, as he brought in 12 catches on 14 targets for 106 yards and a touchdown. Jared Goff had an efficient day passing for 257 yards and a touchdown on 30-for-40 passing.

Nick Mullens had a rollercoaster game in his second start of the season, throwing for 411 yards on 22-for-36 passing. Mullens found the end zone with Justin Jefferson and K.J. Osborn but also threw four interceptions in this game. Ty Chandler handled the bulk of the backfield work, even with Alexander Mattison back in the lineup, carrying the ball eight times for 17 yards and a touchdown while Mattison touched the ball just twice for negative one yards. The Vikings lost two of their top-three receiving options in T.J. Hockenson and Jordan Addison who were ruled out early in the second half with injuries, but luckily they still had Jefferson, who caught six of 10 passes for 141 yards and a touchdown. 

WELCOME BACK JUSTIN JEFFERSON
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— PFF (@PFF) December 24, 2023

Defensive spotlight: The Lions got some huge plays out of their safety position Sunday, as Ifeatu Melifonwu, who was only inserted as a starter in Week 14, came up with two sacks and a game-sealing interception to cap off a massive performance. Meanwhile, Kerby Joseph came up with two interceptions of Mullens as well, as the Lions secondary stepped up in a big way to limit the Vikings' passing attack.

Lions second-round rookie corner Brian Branch had a very impactful game by coming up with an interception in the first quarter and a sack-fumble in the second quarter. Branch had been playing a situational role in recent weeks, only seeing the field when the opposing offense was in 11 personnel, and he continued to play more of a rotational role again today, making the most of his opportunities. 

Nick Mullens in the giving spirit 🎁
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— PFF (@PFF) December 24, 2023

Rookie spotlight: Vikings undrafted rookie linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. held down the team’s lone every-down linebacker role with Jordan Hicks on injured reserve, and he did a really nice job in that role. From Weeks 11-15, Pace earned a 78.0 defensive grade (17th) and an 82.0 coverage grade (10th) while playing an every-down role. Pace went back down to a part-time role in Week 16 with Hicks back in the lineup but he still found ways to make an impact, including a fumble recovery in the first quarter and even had a chance to run back a blocked field goal that he recovered later in the fourth quarter.

Box Score

Passing

Rushing

Receiving