Like two of their NFC North rivals, the Lions have completed the sweep of the AFC South.
Detroit took care of business Sunday in front of a horde of traveling fans in Indianapolis with a 24-6 win over the Colts. That makes it nine straight wins for the Lions, who push their record to 10-1.
It wasn't as flashy as some of their other wins this season, but the outcome Sunday was never really in doubt. The Lions took a 7-3 lead early in the second quarter on a Jahmyr Gibbs touchdown, stretched it to 14-3 at the half on a David Montgomery touchdown and led comfortably the rest of the way. Gibbs ran for another touchdown in the third quarter.
The game was decided on third down and in the red zone. The Lions went 9-for-15 in the former department and 3-for-4 in the latter, while holding the Colts to 3-for-12 and 0-for-2, respectively. Detroit has the top-ranked third-down defense in the NFL.
The Lions did suffer some potentially costly injuries in the second half. Montgomery left the game with a shoulder injury, receiver/return man Kalif Raymond was carted off with a foot injury and cornerback Carlton Davis III was knocked out of the game with a knee injury. Left tackle Taylor Decker was briefly sidelined with a knee/ankle injury, but he did return.
This comes on the heels of linebacker Alex Anzalone going down with a broken forearm in the Lions' rout of the Jaguars last week.
The win keeps the Lions atop the NFC with six games to play, and at least a game clear of the Vikings and two games clear of the Packers in the division. Minnesota and Green Bay also swept the AFC South.
With Detroit fans invading Lucas Oil Stadium, chants of "Let's Go Lions!" and "Ja-red Goff!" filled the air throughout the game. As the hometown fans headed for the exits in the fourth quarter, it was another Honolulu Blue takeover on the road -- and maybe the most emphatic one yet.