Vikings vs Lions: 6 Things We Learned from Detroit's 34-28 Win

For the first time since 2000, the Lions will not finish the season under .500.

And the way they got there was classic Lions: Look dominant, then let the other team climb back into it.

That being said, the outcome of the game shows what is truly different about this team. With the Vikings down six points and basically on the goal line with nine seconds left, the Lions won.

It's just like the Lions to have the game in hand and then do everything they can to lose it.

The difference is, the old Lions would complete the deal. These Lions are 8-5 and back in control in the chase for a playoff spot.

The Lions Depend on Takeaways

Last week, the Detroit Lions forced zero turnovers, and they embarrassed themselves on national television against the Saints.

Granted, that embarrassment had less to do with losing than it did the idiotic penalties that got them there, but still.

This week, the Lions forced four turnovers in the first half alone. The Lions scored 24 first-half points off turnovers, and the defense itself matched the Vikings' offense in scoring output.

A common thread in all of Detroit's wins this year is their ability to force turnovers (which is, in part, why I advocated for the Lions to take chances against the Packers and Saints).

If they want to keep the gravy train rolling, they'll need to continue on that path for the next three weeks.

That's Right, Alphonso Smith Is Pretty Good

Speaking of points off turnovers, does everyone remember Alphonso Smith now? Played 10 games for the Lions last year, led the team in interceptions?

If you'd forgotten, maybe his two-interception, one-touchdown performance today reminded you.

Smith isn't a blanket cornerback who takes away half the field. But he is a risk-taker who forces turnovers and big plays.

Of course, in addition to his two interceptions, he nearly got burned for a couple of touchdowns by biting on the short route, but he's also a young player in his third year.

He isn't yet, but he shows signs of becoming a true ball hawk of a cornerback, even if he is more DeAngelo Hall than Darrelle Revis.

Ndamukong Suh's Suspension Had Zero Impact on the Lions' Win-Loss Record

The absence of Ndamukong Suh had a huge impact in this game. Joe Webb unleashing his inner Michael Vick had a lot to do with the Lions' inability to bring pressure up the middle.

Toby Gerhart powered over the Lions front seven for 90 yards, and the Lions were dominated in short-yardage situations.

And yet the Lions won. And the Lions lost to the Saints last week.

So the Lions went 1-1 without Suh, and unless you think missing Suh was the reason the Lions imploded against the Saints, they would have gone the same 1-1 with Suh in those games.

Now the Lions get Suh back, rested, hungry and (hopefully) having learned a lesson, for an important trip to Oakland that will likely determine their playoff fate.

Maybe Matthew Stafford's Finger Really Was the Problem

When Matthew Stafford played a stretch of rough games with a finger injury, I thought his finger had very little to do with the injury itself.

But after watching him today, maybe it was.

See, I thought Stafford's greatest issue was his decision-making. But he was making those same decisions today, but instead of throwing silly picks, he was threading the needle for first downs.

So really, the issue was Stafford not adjusting his play for his reduced throwing effectiveness. Now that his accuracy and throwing power has returned, there is little doubt of Stafford's effectiveness.

That's especially true give the amount of pressure he faced in this game.

Keiland Williams Is Quietly Effective

The Lions' carousel of running backs continues with Keiland Willams, who was easily the Lions' most productive back in this game.

I've been saying all season that Williams could carry the load if the Lions would just give it to him. Today, the Lions had no choice, and while the Lions' running game was hardly the story in this game, Williams produced.

Did he earn 100 yards and two touchdowns? Of course not, and with this offensive line, nobody likely will.

But what the Lions need is the ability to get something done on the ground, and Williams did that.

The worst thing the Lions can do at this point is continue trying to use Williams as a short-yardage back. He got stacked up repeatedly as a power runner, but performed well in space.

Cliff Avril Is Learning to Play the Run

Lost in the Ndamukong Suh saga is the play of Cliff Avril, who is slowly putting himself out of the Lions' price range in free agency.

Avril dominated the majority of the game with a forced fumble for a touchdown on the Lions' first defensive play and a game-clinching fumble recovery on the last.

But he also spent a lot of time disrupting the backfield on runs. Now, he didn't wrap up any ball carriers for a loss, but he got a hand on a lot of them and consistently slowed backs in the backfield.

Obviously, a true run-stuffer makes those plays in the backfield, but Avril in years past would have just zoomed by, not worrying about the run. Avril is playing more disciplined football, and that extra polish is going to be great for the stretch run.

But as Avril rounds into a complete player, I just hope it doesn't make him too expensive to re-sign this offseason.