Five wins to start the 2024 season and the Detroit Lions are sitting pretty in the NFC. Which of their victories has been their best so far?
The Detroit Lions have five victories under their belt so far in the 2024 season, and each of them tell a different tale.
Their Week 1 win against the Los Angeles Rams was a close-fought affair that required a dominant rushing drive in overtime to close it out. After losing a tough game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2, the Lions rebounded with a win over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 3. Their next two wins involved the exorcising of two different demons: they finally toppled the Seattle Seahawks in Week 4 on the back of a perfect game from Jared Goff, then followed up their bye with a cathartic beatdown of the Dallas Cowboys. Now in Week 7, the Lions walked away from their first NFC North battle with a tight victory over the then-undefeated Minnesota Vikings, once again letting the world know that Detroit is the team to beat in the North right now.
At the end of the day, a win in the standings matter most, but there are many takeaways to be had from each of these victories. Their win over the Rams illustrated that last year’s playoff win was not a fluke and that the shadow of Matthew Stafford no longer lingers in Detroit. Their win over the Cardinals showed how they can rebound after a disappointing loss, while also demonstrating their ability to limit a mobile quarterback. Their win over the Seahawks exemplified a bend-but-don’t-break defense, while it was their offense’s first true breakout of the season against an opponent that had had their number for years. Their win over the Cowboys not only provided some relief after years of cursed matchups, but it was also their most complete game of the season, dominating on offense and defense. Finally, their win over the Vikings was arguably the biggest test of mettle for this team so far, managing to rebound from an early deficit and fight hard against a division rival riding high on an undefeated record.
For each of these reasons, you could justify any one of these victories as the Lions’ best victory to date.
Today’s Question of the Day is:
What has been the Lions’ best victory of the 2024 season so far?
My answer: Their Week 7 victory over Vikings.
From a pure stats perspective, their demolishing of the Cowboys was their best outing of the season, but I think this victory over the Vikings is a better representation of what the 2024 Detroit Lions are aiming to be.
The Lions crushed the Cowboys with such ease that it became a cakewalk at halftime. That highlights the skill of the offense and defense, sure, but I think the Lions needed a test like this Vikings game. The word “grit” has been a staple of the Lions lexicon under head coach Dan Campbell, and this game truly illustrated that mentality.
When the Lions had poor coaching under Matt Patricia or a poor roster under Campbell in 2021, an early self-destruction would have sunk them. Against the Vikings on Sunday, the Lions came out of the gate in complete disarray, granting Minnesota easy field position and, in turn, easy points. The score was just 10-0 after the first quarter, but it certainly felt like a doomed outing. A few seasons ago, it likely would have been.
That was not the case with this Campbell-led team. The Lions responded with one of their best quarters of the season, scoring three touchdowns while shutting out the Vikings to enter halftime at 21-10. The rest of the game had its ups and downs, but the eventual outcome of this game would not have happened without talented players that believed in their team and themselves. The identity of these Lions is not overwhelming dominance on offense or defense. Detroit’s identity is that they will fight come hell or high water, and you often only learn that in the face of adversity.
When the Lions lost to the Buccaneers in Week 2, it was a case of the offense not finding its footing. This game versus the Vikings could have turned out similarly, yet the resilience and growth of the team were highlights on the day. In Week 2, the Lions got punched and it took a week to recover. Against Minnesota, they took it in stride and weathered the storm. This was also their first full game without Aidan Hutchinson, the heart of the defense. There were many opportunities for the Lions to collapse: the first quarter woes, the long Vikings drives, the David Montgomery fumble touchdown, the Jake Bates game-winning field goal attempt. Any number of these moments could have led to a loss. Instead, the Lions rallied.
It was far from Detroit’s prettiest victory on the season, but I think it is the one that showed the most heart. For a team that prides itself on grit and determination, you cannot ask for much more than that.
Your turn.
