The Detroit Lions could make team history if they defeat or tie the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
A Lions (14-2) win or tie against the Vikings (14-2) would earn them the NFC North division title for the second consecutive year and the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
Have the Lions ever been the No. 1 seed?
The Lions have been to the playoffs 23 times during the team’s history, which started in 1930 when they were the Portsmouth Spartans, according to Pro Football Reference.
In 1975, the National Football League introduced its seeding sytem, according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The change came after the NFL and AFL merged in 1970.
Since then, the Lions have never been the No. 1 seed in their conference.
They have won their division since the start of the seeding era, including topping the NFC North in 2023. In 1983 and 1991 and 1993, the team won the NFC Central.
Prior to the seeding era, the Lions finished first in the NFL West Division in 1935, 1953, 1954 and 1957. They also finished first in the NFL National division in 1952.
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What’s the advantage of the No. 1 seed?
The top seed in the AFC and NFC both get a bye in the first round of the NFL playoffs. Both teams also get home field advantage through conference championship games if they advance that far.
Previously, the top two teams in each conference earned a first-round bye, but that changed when the NFL expanded the playoffs to 14 teams instead of 12 in 2020.
The Detroit Lions have had their fair share of struggles over the years, but this season could be different. With a strong start to the season and a talented roster, the Lions have a legitimate shot at earning the No. 1 seed in the NFC for the first time in franchise history.
Led by quarterback Jared Goff and a solid defense, the Lions have been impressive in the early part of the season. Their offense has been clicking on all cylinders, and their defense has been stout against opposing teams.
If the Lions can continue to play at a high level and stay healthy, there’s no reason they can’t finish the season with the best record in the conference. With key matchups against tough opponents still to come, the Lions will need to stay focused and continue to execute on both sides of the ball.
It would be a historic moment for the franchise to earn the No. 1 seed, and Lions fans everywhere are hoping that this could finally be the year that they break through and make a deep playoff run. Keep an eye on the Lions as they continue their quest for the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
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