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Detroit Lions fans can start making their postseason plans.
The NFC North leaders clinched a berth in the playoffs on Thursday with a win over the Green Bay Packers. Here’s a look at the conference picture:
2. Philadelphia Eagles (10-2)
3. Seattle Seahawks (7-5)
5. Minnesota Vikings (10-2)
6. Green Bay Packers (9-4)
7. Washington Commanders (8-5)
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6)
9. Arizona Cardinals (6-6)
10. Los Angeles Rams (6-6)
11. San Francisco 49ers (5-7)
13. New Orleans Saints (4-8)
15. Carolina Panthers (3-9)
16. New York Giants (2-10)
The expectations for the Lions coming into the year were as high as they’ve been in a long, long time.
Detroit claimed a division title and was one half away from reaching the Super Bowl in 2023-24. Many of the key players were returning, while head coach Dan Campbell retained offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn after both were the subject of head-coaching rumors. There was no reason to think the Lions would fall off in 2024.
However, the fanbase knew better than to make any assumptions. A 5-11 record followed the organization’s last appearance in the NFC title game and it took more than 30 years to see another playoff win of any kind.
Thankfully for those in the Motor City, the Lions’ upward trajectory has continued.
Detroit has been a juggernaut on offense. Jared Goff threw three touchdowns against the Packers, bringing him to 23 on the season, while the backfield tandem of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery have each gone over 1,000 yards from scrimmage to go with 24 combined scores.
The defense hasn’t any worse, either. The Lions entered Week 14 surrendering the second-fewest points (16.9 per game).
The Kansas City Chiefs should arguably remain the Super Bowl favorites because they’re the two-time reigning champions and keep finding ways to win even when they aren’t that convincing.
Detroit has been the best team pound-for-pound in the league, though. When it comes to the NFC specifically, the Lions are a level above the competition.
The San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys have fallen off thanks to injuries to key players. The Philadelphia Eagles are 9-2, yet their fans still can’t seem to agree on whether Nick Sirianni is a good coach. The Minnesota Vikings are entrusting their hopes to Sam Darnold. Detroit already has a head-to-head win over the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.
This shouldn’t be considered a Super Bowl-or-bust kind of season for the Lions since they’ll once again be set up nicely for 2025. Most of their best players are under contract for next year, and general manager Brad Holmes will have some flexibility with the salary cap.
But it will definitely be a big missed opportunity if Detroit is unable to improve on its 2023 outcome because the path to the Vince Lombardi Trophy might not be any clearer than it is right now.