The Detroit Lions secured a compelling 31-9 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in the closing game of the 2024 regular season, which felt very much like a playoff matchup.
This win allowed the Lions (15-2) to claim the top seed in the NFC and provided them with home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, heightening their prospects of reaching the Super Bowl for the first time since 1957.
“It’s step one,” commented Jared Goff, the Lions’ quarterback. “We take pride in being 15-2 and NFC North division champions for the second consecutive year, as well as securing the top seed and a bye week. However, this is just the first tick off the list; the second tick is still to come.”
With this victory, Detroit achieved back-to-back division titles for the first time in its history and is poised to take on the lowest remaining seed in the NFC playoffs during the divisional round, scheduled for January 18 or 19.
Interestingly, the Lions are one of only four teams in the NFL that has never appeared in a Super Bowl, alongside the Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, and Jacksonville Jaguars. Last season, the team advanced to the playoffs and won two games for the first time in over sixty years, although they ultimately surrendered a 17-point lead in the NFC championship game against San Francisco.
Following a loss against Detroit in their season finale, the Vikings (14-3) will next head onto the road for the wild-card weekend, where they will battle the NFC West champion Los Angeles Rams (10-7) on Monday night, marking them as the most successful fifth seed in NFL history.
The Green Bay Packers (10-7) will also be in action, set to face the Philadelphia Eagles (14-3), while the Washington Commanders (12-5) will take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7).
1. DETROIT LIONS (15-2).
The Lions remain one of four NFL teams without a Super Bowl appearance.
**Lift the Lombardi:** This season, the Lions have displayed an impressive offensive performance, averaging a league-high of 33.2 points per game, outdone by only three teams in NFL history for scoring. They’ve tied league records by scoring over 20 points in 16 games and achieving 40 or more points in six games. Jared Goff has made history as the first quarterback to complete 75% or more of his passes in nine games within a season, and he’s the only one to maintain a completion rate of 72% or higher with at least 4,500 passing yards. In a groundbreaking achievement, Jahymr Gibbs, David Montgomery, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Jameson Williams formed the first duo of NFL running backs and wide receivers each with over 1,000 yards from scrimmage in a single season. Their strong offensive line, led by Pro Bowlers Penei Sewell and Frank Ragnow, has been instrumental in giving Goff ample time to throw and creating gaps in the run game.
**Cancel the confetti:** The Lions’ defense has been plagued by injuries, notably with superstar Aidan Hutchinson suffering a broken leg, and several defenders have found themselves on the injured reserve list. This impacted performance was evident last month when they conceded 48 points to the Bills in a high-scoring game. The Lions surrendered 29 or more points in five games, which could be detrimental to their playoff aspirations if it continues. However, defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn managed to implement a successful game plan that resulted in the regular-season finale, where the defense held the potent Vikings offense scoreless in the end zone.
“The dream is to capture division championships and progress on to the NFC championship, ultimately striving for a Super Bowl victory. That’s where we aim to go next,” expressed Goff.
2. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (14-3).
The Eagles have obtained one Lombardi trophy from four Super Bowl appearances. Historical results include losses to the Raiders and Patriots, a win against the Patriots, and another loss to the Chiefs.
**Lift the Lombardi:** With Jalen Hurts leading the charge, the Eagles are positioned to make a serious bid for their second Super Bowl appearance in three years. If he has fully recovered from a concussion, his presence could propel the Eagles as one of the favorites to secure another Super Bowl title. New addition Saquon Barkley exceeded 2,000 rushing yards, establishing himself at the top of the league while challenging Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record. Together with high-performing receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, the Eagles’ offense is among the best when healthy.
**Cancel the confetti:** Questions linger regarding Hurts’ health following a concussion suffered in late December. He missed the final two games of the regular season, creating uncertainty for his playoff participation. Barkley, leading the NFL in carries, needs to maintain his stamina for the playoffs. In a strategic move, the Eagles rested their starters in the final week of the season for freshness. However, their playoff progression might hang in the balance should they need to travel to Detroit for an NFC championship showdown.
“I’m not here to chase records; my goal is to win a Super Bowl,” Barkley stated.
3. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (10-7).
The Buccaneers own two Lombardi trophies from their two Super Bowl appearances.
**Plan the parade:** Quarterback Baker Mayfield is showcasing his skills at a peak level, achieving a career-high of 68 rushing yards alongside a couple of touchdown passes last week. He also ensured that Mike Evans surpassed 1,000 receiving yards, solidifying their playoff position as NFC South champions. After struggling across three different teams, Mayfield has rejuvenated his career with the Buccaneers, completing 71.4% of his passes for an impressive tally of 4,500 yards, 41 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions. Furthermore, the Buccaneers’ ground game, led by rookie Bucky Irving, ranks fourth in the league after having finished last in recent years.
**Cancel the confetti:** However, Tampa Bay’s secondary is hindered by injuries, affecting the performance of three key starters as they limped into the playoff season. The front seven must step up their game in the face of this shortage.
“Our aim extends beyond just making it to the playoffs; we want to achieve the ultimate goal. This group has shown resilience, and we’re well-prepared for the playoffs,” remarked Mayfield.
4. LOS ANGELES RAMS (10-7).
The Rams have collected two Lombardi trophies from five Super Bowl appearances.
**Lift the Lombardi:** Entering the playoffs, the Rams are one of the hottest teams, having won nine of their final eleven games before resting their offensive starters in their last outing. Health-wise, the Rams are in a better situation than most of the season. The defense has been strong down the stretch, exhibiting an effective rush and clever tactics. They’ve already proven capable of defeating the Vikings, having won 30-20 in October to become one of just two teams to achieve such this regular season.
**Cancel the confetti:** Conversely, the Rams offense has encountered difficulties, scoring only three touchdowns in their preceding trio of matches before the finale. Quarterback Matthew Stafford and receiver Cooper Kupp have had below-average seasons, and the running game has faltered often due to inconsistencies on the offensive line. While the defense has performed admirably, the secondary has vulnerabilities, leaving gaps exploitable by top quarterbacks. Despite a rejuvenated second-half performance, the Rams may still need more time to reconstruct a fully competitive Super Bowl-caliber team.
“The essence of playoffs lies in who performs best when the moment counts. If we sync well and capitalize on our opportunities, I’m eager to compete,” mentioned coach Sean McVay.
5. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (14-3).
The Vikings are yet to secure a Lombardi trophy despite four Super Bowl appearances.
**Lift the Lombardi:** Sam Darnold has undergone a transformative season, leading an impressive passing offense to star receiver Justin Jefferson and solid names such as Jordan Addison, Jalen Nailor, and tight end T.J. Hockenson. Running back Aaron Jones, now 30, has continued to shine, providing an effective option in the passing game as well. The Vikings’ defensive scheme, crafted by Brian Flores, has amassed an impressive 24 interceptions, ranking first in the league, while edge rushers Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard combined for a total of 36 tackles for loss, both earning Pro Bowl honors.
**Cancel the confetti:** Despite leading his team to 14 wins and earning his first Pro Bowl selection, Darnold had a dismal outing in the season finale against the Lions. He completed only 18 of 41 passes and performed poorly in the red zone while the NFC’s top seed was on the line. This performance casts doubts ahead of his first playoff start. Additionally, the Vikings face lingering concerns about their kicking game after rookie Will Reichard’s inconsistency, evident by missing six of his last sixteen field goal attempts.
“It’s been a fantastic year for our squad; the locker room is prepared and eager to respond,” said coach Kevin O’Connell.
6. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (12-5).
The Commanders have achieved three Lombardi trophies from their five Super Bowl journeys.
**Plan the parade:** Jayden Daniels appears to be the quarterback Washington has long sought. His performance will define how far the team can advance through the playoffs.
**Cancel the confetti:** However, the team’s run defense has faltered significantly, ranked worst among playoff contenders, which could result in a premature exit. The pass defense has also shown vulnerabilities, especially following a challenging showing against Mayfield in Week 1.
“The key is our cohesion as a team. What you see on the field reflects our effort to bond, and we’re committed to showcasing that,” stressed safety Jeremy Reaves.
7. GREEN BAY PACKERS (11-6).
The Packers have gained four Lombardi trophies across five Super Bowl appearances.
**Lift the Lombardi:** The Packers had a successful season, going 10-1 against teams outside their challenging NFC North division. After an initial loss to the Eagles, they bounced back to win their remaining ten games against non-division rivals. They rank just behind San Francisco for playoff victories.
**Hold the confetti:** Unfortunately, the Packers face injury setbacks, specifically with quarterback Jordan Love nursing a shoulder injury and losing standout receiver Christian Watson to a torn ACL in the same game. With Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander, along with two other defensive stars also out, health looms as a significant worry. Despite this, the Packers stumbled within their division, struggling to an 1-5 record against rivals including the Lions and Vikings.
“Christian is a key player for us, but we have numerous playmakers on this team ready to step up. We will be ready,” declared wide receiver Bo Melton.