Lions have clinched the NFC North for first time ever

Carmen Vitali

NFC North Reporter

The Detroit Lions have clinched the NFC North for the first time ever after a 30-24 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.

The last time Detroit won their division was 1993 — when the NFC North was part of the NFC Central. The league realigned with the addition of the Houston Texans in 2002 and the Lions have finished second in the NFC North four times since. On Sunday, they made history and earned a home playoff game in the process.

“I get emotional thinking about all the guys that went through 3-13, went through 1-6 early last year and now can stand here NFC North champs,” said quarterback Jared Goff to NFL Network after the game.

The accomplishment came with two games left in the regular season, as Detroit is tied for the second-best record in the conference at 11-4. It’s just the second time since 1993 that the Lions have won 11 games. They reached double digits faster than any Detroit team since the Kennedy administration and look to have their most complete squad in recent memory.

Against the Vikings on Christmas Eve, thanks to a one-yard pass from quarterback Jared Goff, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown caught his eighth touchdown of the season. For the first time in franchise history, a wide receiver, a tight end and a running back have all scored eight or more touchdowns in a single season, according to Lions PR. 

Rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs accounted for two touchdowns on the day. Combined with his veteran counterpart in David Montgomery, Lions backs have 20 rushing touchdowns on the season. Gibbs and tight end Sam LaPorta have 20 total touchdowns, setting a new franchise record for a Lions rookie class. 

Detroit’s offense is simply firing on all cylinders again. They have immediate production out of top 2023 draft picks, a reliable veteran running back and St. Brown recorded his eighth game with over 100 receiving yards this year, catching 12 of 14 targets for…

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Publish date : 2023-12-24 22:17:37

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