Detroit Lions win over Minnesota Vikings should be sweet, but injuries leave sour taste

Sam LaPorta, the Detroit Lions’ sensational rookie tight end, seemed to grab for his left knee before the play was even done.

It appeared to twist oddly in the Ford Field turf on Sunday afternoon, and LaPorta limped off the field, refusing any aid but looking ticked.

Ugh.

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This was the worst-case scenario for the Lions, as they finished off the regular season with a 30-20 win over the Minnesota Vikings.

Coach Dan Campbell could have rested his starters on Sunday. He could have played it extremely safe because the Lions had already clinched a home-field playoff game.

But Campbell’s never done anything safe in his coaching career.

He plays to win – every game. He wanted to go into the playoffs off a win. No, more than that. Off a clean win.

He wanted to get the best possible seed.

And he understood the risk of playing his starters on Sunday. He was trying to win the game and get the No. 2 seed, which was possible but not certain, considering they needed both the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles to lose.

Then LaPorta got hurt, and it felt like a needle popped all the excitement in Ford Field.

Some might say: See, you should have rested your starters.

But I’m not sure LaPorta is somebody who would have sat.

Jared Goff? Sure.

But a rookie tight end who was playing in just the 17th game of his career?

Maybe not.

Then, it kept happening.

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In the third quarter, Brian Branch, the fantastic rookie defensive back, went down with an injury (although he would come back).

Then, Kalif Raymond went down and was quickly ruled out with a knee injury.

Oh, man. Please make it stop.

Again, let me point out that even if the Lions had sat some starters, they might not have sat down LaPorta, Branch, or even Raymond.

You can’t put everybody in bubble wrap. Only 48 players dress for games after all.

So many good things

This game felt like a delicious sundae – something to savor and enjoy, a fine cap to a fine season. But the cherry on top just kept falling off.

There were so many good things that happened.

Let’s start with the big picture.

After losing at Dallas, the Lions showed their resolve – once again – and bounced back with a win, which should not be discounted.

The Lions got through the regular season without losing consecutive games for the first time since 1972 – a testament of pure resilience.

Here’s another amazing stat: The Lions won their 12th game for just the second time in franchise history and the first time since 1991. Yes, even with a 17th game, that's progress, people.

And here’s another one: The Lions have now won 21 games over the last two seasons, the best two-year span in team history.

And finally, we have this: The Lions Have won six games by double digits.

I mean, that’s some incredible big-picture stuff.

But there were plenty of small things, too.

Let’s start with LaPorta. He played fantastic, as usual.

He finished with five receptions, giving him 86 for the season – an NFL record for most receptions by a rookie tight end, breaking the previous record of 81 set by Keith Jackson in 1988.

He caught a touchdown, giving him 10 on the season, tying Rob Gronkowski for the second most by a rookie tight end in history.

And he is only the third rookie in NFL history with more than 75 catches and 10 receiving touchdowns, joining Ja'Marr Chase and Odell Beckham Jr.

But there were other wonderful moments.

Like hearing the announcer say: "No. 70 is reporting as eligible. No. 70."

Which brought huge cheers from Lions fans.

And it got even better when Goff hit Dan Skipper – yes, he’s eligible – for a 4-yard check down.

Take that, NFL. Yes, the Lions are trolling you.

But, ugh, those injuries

Nearly every time something fantastic happened for the Lions, it seemed like something bad followed. And there are plenty of things to clean up.

Like their pass defense.

Going into this game, you had to figure the coaches said: Don’t ever, ever let Justin Jefferson get behind you.

And then he did.

Over and over. The Lions couldn't stop him and that’s beyond concerning heading into the playoffs.

GAME STORY: Detroit Lions hold off Minnesota Vikings, 30-20, but suffer multiple key injuries

They have simply got to figure out the pass defense.

And kicker Michael Badgley missed an extra point.

Not to point out the obvious but that simply can’t happen in the playoffs.

But the Lions' defense made plays when it had to do it, grabbing some interceptions to secure the win.

A fine win. Where that cherry kept falling off the top.

Can you question Campbell’s decision? Yes.

If you knew who was going to get hurt, if you had perfect hindsight, you would have sat them.

But that’s not how life works. I respect Campbell’s decision.  I understand how it fits this team’s identity.

I understand if there’s a chance to get a higher seed, you go for it.

But does it stink if these guys end up missing the playoffs?

Heck yeah.

Contact Jeff Seidel: jseidel@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @seideljeff.

To read his recent columns, go to freep.com/sports/jeff-seidel.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions win over Vikings impressive but leaves sour taste