Jahmyr Gibbs “hit his stride” in the win.

Free Press sports writer Dave Birkett highlights the best and worst performances in the Detroit Lions’ 31-9 victory over the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field.

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Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs

Gibbs played three games as the Lions’ lead back this season without David Montgomery, rushing for 109, 117 and 139 yards. In Sunday’s winner-take-all game, he totaled 170 yards from scrimmage (139 rushing, 31 receiving) and scored all four of the Lions’ touchdowns.

He averaged 5.6 yards per carry this season, third among running backs behind Derrick Henry (5.9 YPC) and Saquon Barkley (5.8 YPC). He set a franchise record for total touchdowns in a season (20). And he came 71 yards shy of reaching 2,000 scrimmage yards.

“I don’t know what his numbers were, but he was impressive,” Lions quarterback Jared Goff said. “We kind of came into this game knowing we were going to need him and he blocked everything and our offensive line blocked them. Yes, he was special today and we needed that too.”

Lions CB Amik Robertson

The smallest player on the Lions defense came up big on Sunday.

Robertson picked off Justin Jefferson first, holding the Vikings star to 54 yards on three catches (on nine targets). He had safety help at times and was beaten for a 31-yard pass on one of the plays he didn’t make. But his lively play frustrated Jefferson and was a key reason the Vikings failed to score a touchdown for the second time this year.

Robertson, the Lions’ slot cornerback to start the season, seamlessly transitioned to outside cornerback in the absence of Carlton Davis III and brings poise and swagger to the Lions’ secondary.

Lions DC Aaron Glenn

There’s a good chance the Lions will be looking for a new defensive coordinator next year after Glenn delivered a coaching masterclass on Sunday.

The Lions’ fourth-year defensive play caller applied relentless pressure to Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, challenging his back seven to outwork Minnesota’s tight ends and receivers. The plan worked perfectly as Darnold completed just 18 of 41 passes and the Vikings failed to score a touchdown in four red zone appearances.

Glenn is expected to begin interviews for open NFL head coaching positions this week. The Chicago Bears and New York Jets have reportedly requested permission to speak with him. There aren’t many positions open in this hiring cycle, but Glenn is one of the best candidates out there.

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Vikings K Will Reichard

As a rookie out of Alabama, Reichard hit a 31-yard field goal 20 seconds before halftime, cutting the Lions’ lead to 7-6. On the following kickoff he made a huge faux pas when he shot the ball out of bounds.

The Lions started their next drive at the 40-yard line, Jared Goff completing passes to Amon-Ra St. Brown and Kalif Raymond, and Jake Bates scored a 48-yard field goal as time expired.

Perhaps the Lions would have scored without the advantage of the penalty; I thought Minnesota called a timeout too early before their third down play failed and set up Reichard’s kick. But Reichard at least had a hand in swinging the momentum back in the Lions’ direction, and he made matters worse by missing a 51-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter that put the Lions in a better position for another touchdown.

Vikings QB Sam Darnold

Darnold had a chance to beat the Lions in October, but with less than three minutes to play, he missed an open Jefferson on a third-down pass that could have sealed the Vikings’ victory.

On Sunday, he airmailed TJ Hockenson for two potential third-down conversions early in the game, missed Jefferson in the end zone once and didn’t see him cross the goal line on another play.

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Jahmyr Gibbs “hit his stride” in the win.

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