The Detroit Lions once again took care of a divisional foe in Week 14, beating the Green Bay Packers for the second time in six weeks, 34-31. In the process, Detroit clinched a playoff berth.
But the Lions aren’t done with the division yet. That’s because the Minnesota Vikings keep on winning and remain a game behind Detroit for the top spot in the NFC North. The Week 18 game between the divisional foes could determine who finishes in first place, and it could also decide the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
The Lions are going to have a tough slate over the next four weeks, with games versus the Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers and Vikings coming up. If the Lions are able to secure the No. 1 seed in the conference, they will have no doubt earned every bit of it.
Now, let’s see if the Lions’ win over the Packers was enough to keep them in the top spot of the NFL power rankings of experts going into Week 15 after multiple weeks atop them.
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: 1 (no change)
Iyer: “The Lions knew they were in for a doozy vs. the Packers, and they kept answering with clutch plays with their running backs and Jared Goff. They will continue to get battle-tested well for the playoffs with AFC power Buffalo visiting next.”
Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: 1 (no change)
Cluff: “The Lions have won 11 straight. They are 6-0 on the road and 6-1 at home. They host the Bills in the game of the week Sunday in game that could be a potential Super Bowl preview.”
Lou Scataglia, NFL Spin Zone: 1 (no change)
Scataglia: “The only other team in the NFC who could potentially dethrone the Lions season is the Philadelphia Eagles, but it does almost feel like this Lions team is a team of destiny. They move to 12-1 on the season and now have a very good shot at winning the NFC North. Since they have swept the Green Bay Packers, the only way the Packers could pass them in the standing is if GB finishes 13-4 and the Lions finish 12-5, which likely isn’t happening.”
Matt Johnson, Sportsnaut: 1 (no change)
Johnson: “Dan Campbell is a gambler and there will be times in the future when it might cost the Detroit Lions a game. The beauty of Campbell’s aggressiveness, however, is that it works because the Lions are the best-coached team in the NFL. That continues to be proven true as Detroit keeps winning games despite one of the longest injury reports in the NFL. There are three elite NFL teams right now, Detroit is one of them and home-field advantage in the playoffs can lead to the Lions becoming Super Bowl champions.”
Taylor Wirth, NBC Sports: 1 (no change)
Wirth: “OK, we get it. You’re the best team in football. They control their own destiny for the top seed, but it won’t come easy. Key matchups against the Bills, Bears, 49ers and Vikings remain. They can’t afford to let up now.”
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