'Vaki! Vaki! Vaki!' Sione Vaki's Career Day Is Building Trust in the Lions Backfield

Lions fans, you heard it at Ford Field last Sunday. Late in the fourth quarter against Minnesota, the whole building started chanting "Vaki! Vaki! Vaki!"

Our Take: Detroit needs a backup who lets Jahmyr Gibbs breathe without the offense slowing down, and Sione Vaki just showed he can be that guy.

Sydney Ciano of DetroitLions.com reports Vaki had six carries for 39 yards in the fourth quarter, including a five-yard catch and runs of 12 and 10 yards that moved the Lions into Vikings territory. That drive ended with Jared Goff's touchdown pass to Jameson Williams, the game-winner in a 19-15 victory that put Detroit at 5-2 and 2-0 in the NFC North. Vaki finished with 11 carries for 65 yards and a five-yard catch, the best offensive game of his career.

Vaki, a 2024 fourth-round pick who played mostly safety at Utah, credited two years learning behind Gibbs and David Montgomery. "Choice prepares us like we're all (Gibbs)," he said of running backs coach Tashard Choice. Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing said Vaki brought momentum and energy to the offense. Vaki's own scouting report: "I just got to pick my damn knees up."

What to watch: whether Vaki keeps earning fourth-quarter carries in Miami.

Sources: DetroitLions.com, NBC Sports