The Detroit Lions struggled to get much going against the Minnesota Vikings' physical defense, with Jared Goff even throwing his first interception of the season. Even so, they rose to the occasion when it mattered most.
Dan Campbell's team just got its biggest win of the young season. They took down the Vikings 19-15 to improve to 5-2 and 2-0 in the division, and their defense continues to take shape after a dreadful start to the campaign.
It wasn't easy, and it definitely wasn't pretty, but the Lions ultimately took care of business. While it was a strong collective effort, these three players had the most to do with pulling off this huge divisional win in Week 7.
3 Detroit Lions who excelled in the big win over the Minnesota Vikings
Jameson Williams
Jameson Williams has been under a ton of fire this season, and rightfully so. He's had some egregious drops and hasn't always lived up to the offseason hype. That said, he's also had some big games and showcased his playmaking abilities occasionally, and this one was one of those times.
The former first-round pick didn't need many touches to make a big impact. He turned just six targets into four receptions for 70 yards and Goff's only touchdown pass of the game, including a 46-yard explosion to reaffirm his spot as the team's big-play specialist.
D.J. Reed
Likewise, the Lions' cornerback room has been under heavy scrutiny this season, so it was nice to watch D.J. Reed have his best game of the campaign. Granted, Kyler Murray was terrible for the most part, but that doesn't make his performance any less impressive.
Reed allowed just one reception on five targets for 11 yards, forcing two incompletions and logging one interception. He kept Jordan Addison in check, and he forced Justin Jefferson to drop a pass the only time they were lined up against each other.
Jahmyr Gibbs
Jahmyr Gibbs continues to make a strong case to win Offensive Player of the Year honors. He was an absolute force in this one, averaging a whopping 6.7 yards per carry against one of the league's most physical defenses.
Gibbs finished the game with 23 carries for 153 yards, adding two catches on four targets for 15 receiving yards. He broke loose for a 30-yard score to give the team the lead in the third quarter, and he's the most elusive and dynamic running back in the game right now.
Add us as a preferred source on Google