Lions hang on to beat Vikings 30-24 and clinch 1st division title since 1993
Associated PressMINNEAPOLIS — Dan Campbell towered over the podium in a black T-shirt commemorating Detroit’s first division title in 30 years, reveling in the moment as the bass from the locker room next door pulsated through the walls. When the Lions played at Minnesota two years ago in Campbell’s first season, the 6-foot-5 head coach cried during his postgame news conference in the emotion of a crushing loss. Jahmyr Gibbs had two rushing touchdowns, Amon-Ra St. Brown had 106 receiving yards and a third-quarter go-ahead score and Ifeatu Melifonwu had the game-sealing interception at the 5-yard line with 49 seconds left to lead the Lions past the injury-ravaged Vikings 30-24 on Sunday. “We couldn’t let it slip.” Mullens threw for two scores, a diving 26-yard catch by Jefferson with 29 seconds left in the first half and a 6-yard toss to K.J. Kerby Joseph’s first of two picks gave the Lions the ball at the Minnesota 33 in the second quarter, and they reached the end zone in three plays.