By Colton Pouncy, James Boyd and Jelani Scott
The Detroit Lions (10-1) added another dominant win to their magical season on Sunday as the club cruised to a 24-6 victory over the Indianapolis Colts (5-7) after turning in another smash-mouth performance to remain perfect on the road.
Week 12 marked the ninth time this campaign that the Lions topped 20 points and the third time their defense held an opponent to less than 10 points. Detroit’s latest standout showing of complementary football saw running back Jahmyr Gibbs lead the way on a day where the second-year star made team history. With 99 scrimmage yards, including 90 on the ground, and two touchdowns, Gibbs became the third Lion (Billy Simms, Barry Sanders) to record 1000-plus scrimmage yards and 10-plus TDs in his first two seasons.
Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn’s unit again proved why they’re one of the NFL’s best red zone defenses after limiting Indy to two first-half field goals on their only two trips, the first of which came after what could’ve been a pivotal dropped Colts TD. A slew of penalties on both sides and miscues throughout the game coupled with Detroit forcing four punts and a turnover on downs in the second half stamped an all-around difficult day for the Colts and QB Anthony Richardson, who played admirably in his second game back under center.
Lions grind out win despite lukewarm offensive effort
This was a strange game. The Lions’ offense struggled more than we’re used to seeing. They were well below their points average of 33.6, settling for just 24. They had to grind for everything, and it often wasn’t pretty. But they got the job done again.
The defense held the Colts to just six points — three after the opening drive of the game — but avoided some big plays that were dropped or called back because of penalties. You take that eight days a week if you’re the Lions, but there’s plenty to clean up from a game like this one. With the win, the Lions improve to 10-1 on the season. They’ve won nine in a row. Next up: the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving. — Colton Pouncy, Lions beat writer
Lions win possibly came at a cost
Several Lions players suffered injuries in this one. Kalif Raymond was ruled out with a foot injury. Taylor Decker suffered knee and ankle injuries. CB Carlton Davis III suffered a knee injury. RB David Montgomery suffered a shoulder injury. Decker was able to return to action, while Montgomery and Davis remained on the sideline, perhaps ready to go back in if needed. But still, this feels like a weekly occurrence. Injuries are certainly piling up for this team. It feels like injuries are the only thing that can slow the Lions down right now. It’s worth monitoring the status of several players heading into back-to-back Thursday games. — Pouncy
No help for Anthony Richardson
Richardson picked up where he left off last week and looked like a player who was in control of the offense, though he didn’t get much help from his counterparts in Indianapolis’ 24-6 loss to Detroit. The second-year pro still had his share of errant throws, but he was also playing behind an offensive line that featured three rookies and was constantly under siege. Richardson wasn’t sacked but was hit six times and pressured even more.
Richardson finished 11-of-28 passing for 172 yards. His best throw came on a 39-yard deep shot to Alec Pierce in the second quarter that put Indianapolis in the red zone with a chance to take an early lead. However, tight end Drew Ogletree dropped a walk-in touchdown two plays later, and Indianapolis settled for a field goal. Indy’s offense never recovered and finished with a season-low six points.
Richardson is now 4-4 as a starter this season as Indianapolis suffered its fourth loss in five games. — James Boyd, Colts beat writer
Penalties, penalties and more penalties
The Colts committed 10 penalties for a total of 75 yards, with several penalties negating their big plays. Indianapolis had gains of 30, 21 and 19 yards called back after being flagged. Despite starting three rookie offensive linemen, it was star left guard Quenton Nelson who violated the rules the most. He was flagged for being an ineligible man downfield, illegal use of hands and a false start. Richardson was also penalized for intentional grounding in the fourth quarter. Indianapolis’ 10 penalties are a season-high and the second-most it has had in a single game over the last five years.
Richardson led the Colts with 10 carries for 61 yards as the Lions swallowed up running back Jonathan Taylor. The 2021 league rushing champ totaled just 11 carries for a season-low 35 yards and had just one carry for 14 yards in the second half. — Boyd
Required reading
- NFL Week 12 live updates and scores: Playoff projections, schedule, predictions, news, inactives, odds
- ‘We hate the Lions’: Why sportsbooks are scared of a Detroit Super Bowl win
- Anthony Richardson shined in his Colts return, but one great game isn’t enough
- Colts’ Anthony Richardson played with renewed confidence; Shane Steichen deserves credit
(Photo: Grace Hollars / IndyStar / USA Today Network)
