Lions

Despite some early bumps in the season, the Lions seem to be picking up momentum after a massive divisional win over the Packers in Week 7. The game was decided by a field goal as time expired but Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs believes that doesn’t accurately reflect Detroit’s performance. 

“We’ve been really good,” Gibbs said via Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. “Actually, we started off way better in previous games. I think that was really the only difference. This game, we had two turnovers, could have been three. Usually, we don’t do that. So that part we need to clean up. We left a lot out there. I don’t think the score should have been as close as it was, but we still found a way to win. So, I mean, that’s a positive.”

Gibbs also discussed HC Dan Campbell‘s decision to go for a 4th-and-1 deep in their own territory in the fourth quarter, a running play to Gibbs that was chased down from behind. The Packers’ go-ahead field goal attempt was blocked, and the Lions ended up accomplishing their goal anyway of finishing with the ball on offense. 

“We want to control the ball,” Gibbs said. “We want to be aggressive. We want to dictate the game. So our philosophy is we finish with the ball. And if we lose with the ball, that’s that. But we don’t want to give the ball back. We want to be in control at all times.”

Packers

Packers HC Matt LaFleur remains confident in rookie K Trey Smack and said he will remain the team’s starter.

“Certainly, you never want to go through it, but Trey’s a guy that I think he’s proven that he can do it, and I know he can do it,” LaFleur said, via NBC Sports. “We’ve got to wipe this one clean and got to move on and hopefully we can be a little bit better.”

• Packers WR Matthew Golden was fined $11,941 for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Vikings

The Vikings remain undefeated at 6-0, anchored by the league’s best defense and strong special teams play. Meanwhile, the offense has scored the second-fewest points among 6-0 teams since the 1940 season, and HC Kevin O’Connell says they’ll keep improving.

“You can’t get down on it right now,” O’Connell said, via ESPN. “Just because it’s still relatively early enough that we’re catching our stride. But at the same time, we know what type of people and teams that are going to be on our schedule the rest of the way, and where we want to go with this team.”

“As we continue to press onward,” O’Connell added. “We’ve got to make sure [we do] the things that are controllable for us — being a penalty-free football team, a turnover-free football team and a team that wins the field position. We’re going to have a chance to win a lot of football games.”

“We’ll continue to get better,” Vikings QB Kyler Murray said. “I know we will. I know everybody keeps saying that, but I felt like we moved the ball well today.”