Detroit's Super Bowl chase begins with four potential opponents
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Jared Goff takes the field Sunday against Minnesota. Photo: Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images
The Lions just finished the best regular season in franchise history but say their ultimate mission is just beginning.
Why it matters: Football-obsessed Detroit has never been to a Super Bowl, and this is maybe the city's best chance ever to make it.
State of play: With the NFC's top record (15-2), the Lions have the No. 1 seed and a bye for the first round of the playoffs this weekend.
- Detroit's first playoff game will be in the divisional round on either Jan. 18 or 19 at Ford Field.
- Tickets went on sale Monday afternoon.
How it works: Playoff teams seeded 2 through 7 in each conference play during this weekend's wild card round. Teams are reseeded after each round, so the Lions will play the NFC's lowest remaining seed in the divisional round.
- Here are the four potential opponents and the scenario in which they'd play Detroit:
🧀 Green Bay Packers (11-6, No. 7 seed): With a win over the No. 2 Eagles.
- Green Bay lost its final two games and QB Jordan Love hurt his right elbow Sunday, but this is still a dangerous team with a potent offense.
🪖 Washington Commanders (12-5, No. 6): With a win over No. 3 Tampa Bay and a Packers loss to the Eagles.
- Star rookie QB Jayden Daniels will probably win a Super Bowl one day, but Washington remains unproven.
🗡️ Minnesota Vikings (14-3, No. 5): With a win over the Rams and losses by the Packers and Commanders.
- Detroit's already beaten them twice, but three wins over a division rival in one season is a difficult task.
🐏 Los Angeles Rams (10-7, No. 4): With a win over the Vikings and losses by the Packers and Commanders.
- Former Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford and coach Sean McVay are among the league's best QB/coach combinations.
The intrigue: Coach Dan Campbell seems to expect another Minnesota rematch.
- During the postgame handshake Sunday, he could be heard on TV telling Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell, "I'll see you in two weeks."
Injury update: Rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold left Sunday's game with an injured foot.
- Postgame X-rays were negative and Arnold, who has become the team's top cornerback with Carlton Davis out, told the Free Press that he expects to play in Detroit's playoff opener.
The bottom line: No matter which team comes to Ford Field in two weeks, the Lions will be favored to win — and the home crowd will be deafening.