The Detroit Lions are 15-2 heading into the postseason.
There was supreme confidence in the Detroit Lions leading up to the start of the regular season. Then they proved to be Super Bowl contenders by getting off to a hot start in the regular season. Despite some injuries mid-season and late in the year, they have yet to fold. They finished their schedule out strong, winning 15 games.
In week 18, in a decisive game against the Minnesota Vikings, the Lions rode the coattails of superstar running back Jahmyr Gibbs en route to a dominating 31-9 win.
The superstar running back punched in four touchdown scores, with a hat trick coming on the ground, as the Lions sent a round message just ahead of the playoffs.
Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images
The Lions defeated the Vikings at their own game
The Lions are a force. Even when battling some key injuries, they are a tough team to square off against. That’s the nature of building a deep roster and a true Super Bowl contender. The Vikings also had two losses heading into the Week 18 matchup and could have taken the division title from the Lions with a win.
According to Fox Sports’ Emmanuel Acho, a former NFL linebacker, the Vikings tried to play the Lions’ game, and it backfired on them.
“The Lions beat the Minnesota Vikings off the Lions’ reputation. The Vikings played a game that they weren’t actually in, aggressively, over aggressively,” Acho explained. “Vikings, y’all don’t do that. Y’all realize, Kevin O’Connell, in 50 games, has gone for it on fourth and goal twice. And yesterday, through three quarters, he went through it on fourth and goal twice.
“The Vikings were playing the Lions’ game. The Vikings were not playing the Vikings’ game because the Vikings let the Lions’ reputation beat them before they ever actually got into the ring with them.”
The Vikings tried to be at team they weren’t and it cost them a massive matchup. The Lions get the right to play that way because that’s how they’ve built their culture, and it’s paid off for them time after time.
The Lions are completing their best season in franchise history
Detroit finished the season 15-2, as mentioned. They are the No. 1 seed in the NFC after winning the NFC North division title with an incredible record. Assuming they continue to win football games, they’ll hold home-field advantage all the way to the Super Bowl.
The 15-win total was the highest the Lions have achieved in franchise history, though. It’s been a remarkable campaign as the club has built a real culture within the franchise and in the city.
Having gone 6-0 in division play, the Lions are a real threat to win the Super Bowl this season. They should be heavily selected to come out of the NFC, too. The leadership, decision-makers, coaches and players alike have all come together to put up nearly a perfect season, even though they had two losses.
Detroit is reaping the benefits of having laid a cultural foundation followed by top-level talents, and their postseason success will reflect that.