Bleacher Report
The Detroit Lions had a 30-year gap separating their previous two division title wins, but that won’t be the case this time around.
The Lions are NFC North champions for the second straight year after defeating the Minnesota Vikings 31-9 on Sunday Night Football.
NFL @NFL
The NFC runs through the Motor City 👊 <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLPlayoffs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#NFLPlayoffs</a> | <a href=”https://twitter.com/Lions?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@Lions</a> <a href=”https://t.co/1ng2olP16V”>pic.twitter.com/1ng2olP16V</a>
Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
THE LIONS WIN THE NFC NORTH AND SECURE THE NO. 1 SEED 💪 <a href=”https://t.co/TDF8YgIVtF”>pic.twitter.com/TDF8YgIVtF</a>
Here’s a look at the latest playoff matchups and NFL standings after the Lions claimed the NFC North crown.
No. 1 Kansas City Chiefs (bye)
No. 7 Denver Broncos at No. 2 Buffalo Bills
No. 6 Los Angeles Chargers at No. 3 Baltimore Ravens
No. 5 Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 4 Houston Texans
No. 1 Detroit Lions (bye)
No. 7 Green Bay Packers at No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles
No. 6 Washington Commanders at No. 3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
No. 5 Minnesota Vikings at No. 4 Los Angeles Rams
1. Kansas City Chiefs: 15-2
3. Baltimore Ravens: 12-5
5. Los Angeles Chargers: 11-6
6. Pittsburgh Steelers: 10-7
——-PLAYOFF LINE——-
8. Cincinnati Bengals: 9-8
9. Indianapolis Colts: 8-9
12. Jacksonville Jaguars: 4-13
13. New England Patriots: 4-13
14. Las Vegas Raiders: 4-13
15. Cleveland Browns: 3-14
16. Tennessee Titans: 3-14
2. Philadelphia Eagles: 14-3
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 10-7
4. Los Angeles Rams: 10-7
5. Minnesota Vikings: 14-3
6. Washington Commanders: 12-5
7. Green Bay Packers: 11-6
——-PLAYOFF LINE——-
8. Seattle Seahawks: 10-7
10. Arizona Cardinals: 8-9
12. San Francisco 49ers: 6-11
14. Carolina Panthers: 5-12
15. New Orleans Saints: 5-12
16. New York Giants: 3-14
It didn’t take long for the Lions to establish themselves as the favorites to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LIX. After a four-point loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2, the team rattled off 11 straight victories, most of them in dominating fashion.
Entering Week 18, Detroit led the NFL with 33.3 points per game and ranked ninth with 20.8 points allowed per game. The team’s +222 point differential is far and away the best mark in the league, with the Philadelphia Eagles ranking second at +160.
Veteran quarterback Jared Goff’s steady play has been a driving force for the Lions’ success this year. In 17 games, he threw for 4,629 yards, 37 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Second-year running back Jahmyr Gibbs also has enjoyed a breakout season with 1,412 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns plus four receiving scores
Perhaps even more impressively, the Lions have been able to overcome key injuries on defense to still rank as one of the best units in the league. Detroit has held eight teams to under 20 points this year.
The Lions’ stellar 2024 season is the fulfillment of the vision head coach Dan Campbell set when he was hired in 2021. Detroit has a strong culture that reflects Campbell’s confident attitude, and the team appears poised for success for years to come.
For now, the Lions are focused on achieving their goal of winning their first Super Bowl title in franchise history. Winning the NFC North is just another step for Detroit on its path toward immortality.
