The Colts struck first after an 11-play opening drive resulted in a 27-yard field goal and 3-0 lead.
Detroit countered early in the second quarter on a 1-yard Gibbs touchdown run to give them their first lead of the contest at 7-3. It was the 10th scrimmage touchdown of the season for Gibbs, joining Barry Sanders and Billy Sims as the only players to accomplish that feat in his first two seasons in franchise history.
Indianapolis trimmed it to 7-6 midway through the second quarter on another Matt Gay 29-yard field goal.
Detroit extended the lead to 14-6 late in the second quarter on a 6-yard Montgomery run where he powered through a couple of Colts would-be tacklers and into the end zone. It was Montgomery’s 50th career rushing touchdown and his 24th in 25 games with the Lions.
Gibbs made it 21-6 Lions late in the third quarter with his second touchdown run of the game, this one from five yards out to cap off a 10-play, 79-yard drive.
Jake Bates hit a huge 56-yard field goal with just over six minutes left in the game to give the Lions a three-score lead at 24-6.
Fittingly, Detroit’s defense forced a turnover on downs late to seal the win. They’ve now held back-to-back opponents to just six points.
