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The Detroit Lions were one catch away from the Philadelphia Eagles being buried.
The crucial drop came Sunday, as the lowly Carolina Panthers were trying to close out a road victory at Philadelphia. Wide receiver Xavier Legette got wide open behind the Philadelphia defense — namely, former Lions defensive backs C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Darius Slay — and quarterback Bryce Young delivered a perfect throw against the blitz for what appeared to be the go-ahead touchdown with 46 seconds remaining.
Only one problem: Legette couldn’t hang on to the diving grab. Carolina turned it over on downs a few plays later. And with that, the Eagles remained hot on Detroit’s heels for the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
Those hoping to see the Lions, who toppled the Green Bay Packers with a walk-off field goal on Thursday night, extend their lead in the division and conference races had a disappointing Sunday.
Not only did the Eagles avoid the upset, but the Minnesota Vikings, who entered the fourth quarter of their game with the Atlanta Falcons tied, blew their opponent out by three scores.
This week’s Monday Night Football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys has no bearing on the NFC playoff race, so let’s take a look at where the Lions stand after the majority of Week 14 has wrapped.
The NFC North
The 2024 NFC North has an argument for being the best division in football history.
Aside from divisional games, the Lions, Vikings and Green Bay Packers have suffered just one loss each, going a combined 28-3 outside of the NFC North.
Campbell said there's an inherent advantage to playing this level of competition going into the playoffs.
"Absolutely, I feel like there's a benefit," Campbell said. "I mentioned this last week: I feel like we are in playoff football in a sense. ... Any time you play the best of the best, the best competition, you can't help but get better. Whatever it takes to win those games, you learn how to win those games. You learn a new way to win.
"We had to grind some things out the other day; we had to win that game without our run game really being effective at all, for the most part. That's huge.'
After Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. sealed Minnesota’s win with a one-handed interception, he told NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero that the Vikings are sick of not being mentioned among the NFC’s best.
Prompted by a question from Pelissero about the Lions getting a lot of attention as Super Bowl contenders, Murphy said, “Y’all need to start talking about us.”
“We’re tired of the Detroit talk,” Murphy said. “We’re gonna get to that game eventually, but right now, it’s just focusing on every single Sunday, and we’ll see them soon. But right now, talk about the Vikings, because we on one right now.”
After Week 14, the Lions have a 91% chance to win the NFC North for a second straight year, according to the New York Times’ playoff simulator. Detroit has already clinched back-to-back playoff appearances and saw their chances at the division go up from 87% entering Thursday.
The Lions and Vikings will meet at Ford Field in Week 18, and the division title could be on the line — but if that’s to happen, Minnesota needs Detroit to lose at least two of its final four games while remaining perfect the rest of the way.
Because Detroit maintained its tie-breaker over the Vikings with a win at Green Bay, they can finish with the same final record as Minnesota and still take the division, no matter what happens in the Week 18 finale. NYT has the Vikings with just a 9% chance to win the North.
Detroit also effectively ended the Packers’ chances of winning the division with Thursday night’s 34-31 victory. Green Bay has not yet been mathematically eliminated from winning the NFC North but saw its odds drop below 1% following the weekend.
The NFC No. 1 seed
The Lions had a 67% chance at the No. 1 seed going into Thursday and left the weekend by increasing their chances to 78%.
Regardless of what happens in Detroit's highly anticipated matchup with the Buffalo Bills — who showed their defensive vulnerability with a 44-42 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday — the Lions maintained their inside track on the No. 1 seed by beating Green Bay. Had the Lions lost that matchup, they would've lost their tiebreaker with the Eagles (which scored a Week 1 victory over the Packers and thus would've owned the common opponent tiebreaker).
But the win greatly boosted their chances to win the conference's top seed. Even if Detroit loses two of four down the stretch, it still has a greater than 50% chance to earn the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye, provided one of those losses comes against Buffalo.
All in all, the most important development to come out of the weekend is that the Lions remain in control of their own destiny for both the division and the NFC's top seed.
nbianchi@detroitnews.com
@nolanbianchi
"I hope to see the Lions in the Super Bowl before I die"
My friend Ken L
CJ Stroud vs the Michigan Chargers. Low key narrative of a 2022 Michigan vs Ohio State re-match in the NFL.
Just for entertainment purposes, I hope tonight’s Steelers vs Ravens game is a classic version in the series. Something like where the Steelers make the Ravens play down to them and the score is 16-13.
Don't box me in! Freedom loving people should be able to boo Kelly's kids regardless of playoff matchups. In fact, I plan to, right after I'm finished heckling and touching Viking players' bimbos.
Where are we going; and what's up with this hand basket?
CJ Stroud vs the Michigan Chargers. Low key narrative of a 2022 Michigan vs Ohio State re-match in the NFL.
Just for entertainment purposes, I hope tonight’s Steelers vs Ravens game is a classic version in the series. Something like where the Steelers make the Ravens play down to them and the score is 16-13.
What is Harbawbag saying? Who's got Pethalonitis? What the fuck is Pethalonitis?
"...when Hibernian won the Scottish Cup final and that celebration, Sunshine on Leith? I don’t think there’s a better football celebration ever in the game.”
Y’ know, I have no opinion about how Land Clark and his crew call a game. But Clark has the best energy for announcing the calls. His whole bearing is 100% “I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed” Dad.
Evil Parallel Universe Lions fans: You will believe in NOW! Comply or suffer the consequences.
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