The Detroit Lions’ 31-9 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in the last game of the 2024 regular season had the feel of a playoff matchup.
With this win, the Lions (15-2) secured the No. 1 seed in the NFC and earned home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. This boosts their chances of reaching the Super Bowl and potentially winning their first NFL title since 1957.
“It’s step one,” said Lions quarterback Jared Goff. “We’re proud to be 15-2, NFC North division champs — back to back, one seed, bye week — all that stuff. But this just tick No. 1 and tick No. 2 is next.”
For the first time, the Lions have won consecutive division titles. They will face the lowest remaining NFC seed in the divisional round on Jan. 18 or 19.
Detroit is one of four NFL teams that has never appeared in the Super Bowl, alongside the Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Last season, Detroit won two playoff games for the first time in over 60 years but lost a 17-point lead in the NFC Championship Game against San Francisco.
After losing the first regular-season game ever played between teams with a combined 28 wins, the Vikings (14-3) will travel to play the NFC West champion Los Angeles Rams (10-7) in the wild-card round. This will be the most successful fifth seed in NFL history.
On Sunday, the Green Bay Packers (10-7) will play the Philadelphia Eagles (14-3), and Washington (12-5) will visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7).
One of four teams never to reach the Super Bowl.
Lions Strengths: The Lions have one of the best offenses in the league, averaging 33.2 points per game, which is the highest in the NFL. They tied records for scoring 20+ points in 16 games and 40+ points in six games.
Jared Goff is the first NFL quarterback to complete 75% or more of his passes in nine games in a season and the only one to complete 72% or more of his passes with at least 4,500 passing yards.
Running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, along with wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, are the first pair of NFL running backs and wide receivers to each have 1,000 yards from scrimmage in a season.
Pro Bowl offensive linemen Penei Sewell and Frank Ragnow lead the way, giving Goff time to throw and creating holes in the running game.
Lions Weaknesses: Detroit’s defense has faced several injuries, including a broken leg for star player Aidan Hutchinson. A dozen defenders are on injured reserve. The defense struggled when the Bills scored 48 points in a shootout win last month.
The Lions allowed 29+ points in five games, and if that happens in the playoffs, they could be eliminated early. However, defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn managed to stop the Vikings from scoring in the season finale.
“The opportunity you dream about is being able to win division championships and then the NFC and then ultimately win Super Bowls. That’s what next for us.” — Goff
Philadelphia Eagles’ Strengths: The Eagles are aiming for their second Super Bowl appearance in three years, led by quarterback Jalen Hurts. If Hurts recovers from his concussion, he will make the Eagles a strong contender for their second Super Bowl title.
Saquon Barkley led the NFL in rushing with over 2,000 yards and nearly broke Eric Dickerson’s season rushing record. With receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, the Eagles’ offense is one of the most powerful when healthy.
Cancel the confetti: No one is sure how Jalen Hurts is feeling after suffering a concussion in late December. He missed the last two regular-season games, and his condition is uncertain as the playoffs start.
Saquon Barkley led the NFL in carries, but the Eagles are hoping he isn’t too tired. The Eagles rested their key players in Week 18 to stay fresh. However, their health might not matter if they have to play in Detroit for the NFC Championship Game.
“I didn’t sign here to break Eric Dickerson’s record. I came here to win a Super Bowl.” — Barkley.
Two Super Bowl wins in two appearances: They beat the Raiders 48-21 in Super Bowl 37 and the Chiefs 31-9 in Super Bowl 55.
Plan the parade: Quarterback Baker Mayfield is playing his best football. He ran for a career-high 68 yards last week, threw two touchdown passes, and helped Mike Evans reach 1,000 receiving yards without risking the game as the Buccaneers won the NFC South.
After being discarded by three teams, Mayfield revived his career with the Buccaneers in 2023, having his best season. He completed 71.4% of his passes for 4,500 yards, 41 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions. The Buccaneers’ running game, led by rookie Bucky Irving, ranks fourth in the NFL after finishing last in the previous two seasons.
Cancel the confetti: The Buccaneers’ secondary, weakened by injuries, has struggled and was missing three starters toward the end of the season. If they are still out, the Buccaneers will need the defensive line to step up.
“Our goal wasn’t just getting into the playoffs. We want to go all the way. This is a tough, resilient group that’s been tested throughout the year and so we’re built for the playoffs.” — Mayfield.
Two Super Bowl wins in five appearances: They lost to the Steelers 31-19 in Super Bowl 14, beat the Titans 23-16 in Super Bowl 34, lost to the Patriots 20-17 in Super Bowl 36, lost to the Patriots 13-3 in Super Bowl 53, and beat the Bengals 23-20 in Super Bowl 56.
Lift the Lombardi: Few teams have more momentum going into the postseason than the Rams, who won nine of their last 11 games before resting their starters in the regular-season finale. Los Angeles is also healthier than it has been for most of the season.
The Rams’ defense has been playing well with a strong pass rush and smart game planning. They’ve already shown they can beat the Vikings, winning 30-20 in October to become one of only two teams to defeat Minnesota this season.
Cancel the confetti: The Rams’ offense has struggled, scoring only three touchdowns in their last three games before the finale. Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp had average seasons, and the running game struggled whenever parts of the offensive line were missing.
The defense has looked strong, but the secondary is still weak, which could be a problem against top quarterbacks. Los Angeles didn’t look like a Super Bowl contender at the start of the season, and despite a strong finish, they may need another year before they are true contenders again.
“The best part about this, and why people love it, is it’s whoever plays the best in that window of time you’re allotted. If we put it together with some of the guys we have at the right spots and the way that this team is capable of playing, you tell me it’s a 3 1/2-hour window where we get a chance to go compete, I’m saying, ‘I’ll take it, and let’s go swing.'” — Sean McVay.
No Super Bowl wins in four appearances: They lost to the Chiefs 23-7 in Super Bowl 4, lost to the Dolphins 24-7 in Super Bowl 8, lost to the Steelers 16-6 in Super Bowl 9, and lost to the Raiders 32-14 in Super Bowl 11.
Lift the Lombardi: Sam Darnold had a career-changing season, leading a strong passing attack with star wide receiver Justin Jefferson and a solid group of players like Jordan Addison, Jalen Nailor, and tight end T.J. Hockenson. Running back Aaron Jones had a solid season at age 30 and is also a good receiver out of the backfield.
The defense, led by coordinator Brian Flores, forced an NFL-high 24 interceptions during the regular season. Edge rushers Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard, who combined for 36 tackles for loss, and cornerback Byron Murphy, all made the NFC Pro Bowl.
Cancel the confetti: After a strong season, Darnold had a disappointing performance in the final regular-season game, completing only 18 of 41 passes, including 2 for 11 in the red zone. This is not the best way to go into his first playoff game as a starter. The Vikings also have a tough history with postseason kicking, and rookie Will Reichard hasn’t been consistent, missing six of his last 16 field-goal attempts.
“This has been a phenomenal football year for our team, and that locker room is already ready to go. Guys are ready to respond.” — Coach Kevin O’Connell.
Three Super Bowl wins in five appearances: They lost to the Dolphins 14-7 in Super Bowl 7, beat the Dolphins 27-7 in Super Bowl 17, lost to the Raiders 38-9 in Super Bowl 18, beat the Broncos 42-10 in Super Bowl 22, and beat the Bills 37-24 in Super Bowl 26.
Plan the parade: Jayden Daniels is the quarterback Washington has been waiting for. The team’s success will depend on how far Daniels can take them, and he has the potential to lead the Commanders on a strong playoff run.
Cancel the confetti: Washington’s run defense has been weak, ranking 30th in the NFL, which could lead to an early exit. The pass defense is also a problem, as shown in their Week 1 loss to Baker Mayfield.
“The pieces are there. It’s just about how fast can we mesh it together, and that’s what coach challenged us to do: How fast can we build our brotherhood and put it on display? And we’ve done that. What you see on Sundays is a translation of that. It’s just about guys buying into it, loving each other and playing for the guy next to him.” — Safety Jeremy Reaves
Four Super Bowl wins in five appearances: They beat the Chiefs 35-10 in Super Bowl 1, beat the Raiders 33-14 in Super Bowl 2, beat the Patriots 35-21 in Super Bowl 31, lost to the Broncos 31-24 in Super Bowl 32, and beat the Steelers 31-25 in Super Bowl 45.
Lift the Lombardi: The Packers had a strong record, going 10-1 against teams outside of their tough NFC North division. After losing to the Eagles 34-29 in their season opener, they won all 10 of their non-division games. Their 37 playoff wins are second only to San Francisco.
Hold the confetti: Quarterback Jordan Love hurt his right elbow in the regular-season finale and didn’t return to the game. The Packers also lost their top receiver, Christian Watson, to a torn ACL in that game.
Star cornerback Jaire Alexander is out after knee surgery, and two other defensive starters, linebacker Quay Walker and safety Evan Williams, missed the past three games. Despite these injuries, the Packers struggled within the division, going 1-5, including losses to the Lions and Vikings.
“Christian is one of the best players on this team, I feel like everybody in our room can step up. We have a lot of playmakers in that room. We’ll be ready for sure.”
