of detroit lionswin ' minnesota vikings They won the NFC North in the final game of the 2024 NFL regular season, earning them the No. 1 seed in the NFC Playoffs.
More importantly for the Lions, it shut down Detroit's only bye week in the NFC, which comes at a critical time.
The Lions have been plagued by injuries this season, but their offense could use some help. Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Detroit head coach Dan Campbell said he is “hopeful” running back David Montgomery will return for the divisional round game.
#Lions Coach Dan Campbell said he expects running back David Montgomery to be ready for the divisional round, which was his goal when he opted for rehab rather than surgery. Good news.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 7, 2025
Montgomery injured his MCL in Detroit's Week 15 loss. buffalo billsAnd the team initially thought he would need surgery to repair the injury, which would end his season. However, Montgomery sought multiple expert opinions about his injuries and ultimately I chose rehabilitation. He is aiming to treat his MCL injury rather than undergo surgery and return to the team for the playoffs.
Now that goal is in sight.
Montgomery's return will not only strengthen Detroit's offense, but will also give offensive coordinator Ben Johnson one of the league's most formidable and thunderous backfields heading into the postseason. Along with Jahmil Gibbs, who set a new franchise record for touchdowns in a season with a four-TD performance in the season finale against the Vikings, Montgomery gives the Lions two great options in the backfield. Montgomery had 775 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns and had 736 receiving yards and three additional scores.
The Lions will start the playoffs in the divisional round, hosting the lowest remaining seed, which could be exactly like the Vikings we saw in Week 18.
