DETROIT – The Detroit Lions have clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC after taking down the Minnesota Vikings 31-9 on Sunday Night Football.
With the victory, the Lions not only achieved a first-round bye, but they also won the NFC North Division in back-to-back years for the first time in franchise history.
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Anyone need new wallpaper? pic.twitter.com/fLe2yaRp6D
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) January 6, 2025
After defeating the Vikings, the Lions improved to 11-2 in prime-time games under head coach Dan Campbell.
They also swept the NFC North Division for the first time in a season while also securing the No. 1 seed for the first time in franchise history, all under the leadership of Campbell.
The @Lions have swept their division for the first time in a season.#OnePride pic.twitter.com/c8EjfTllBC
— Detroit Lions PR (@LionsPR) January 6, 2025
Coming into Week 18, the leader for the league’s Coach of the Year Award was Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, who, as of Dec. 31, was the betting favorite (-1000) for the prestigious award.
O’Connell did an impressive job with the Vikings (14-3) as he led them to a 14-2 record prior to his defeat against the Lions.
But second place odd to win the award was Campbell (+550), who not only locked the Vikings into the No. 5 seed but he, alongside defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, shut down their high-powered offense in embarrassing fashion.
We’re talking about an injury-depleted defense that couldn’t stop a nosebleed during their time in Santa Clara against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football.
Prior to Sunday’s matchup, the race for the award was down to two candidates, as O’Connell had his team riding a nine-game winning streak.
Before that, Campbell had the Lions riding an 11-game winning streak before losing at home to Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.
But they bounced back and finished the season, winning 13 out of their last 14 games to set a franchise record for wins in a single season with 15.
Campbell did all this with over 20 players being placed on injured reserve at some point during the season.
- David Montgomery
- Emmanuel Moseley
- Alex Anzalone (returned in Week 18),
- Kalif Raymond (returned in Week 18)
- Amik Robertson (returned in Week 18)
- Craig Reynolds
- Terrion Arnold (seen in a walking boot after the Vikings game)
- Christian Mahogany
- Jack Campbell
- Aidan Hutchinson
- DJ Reader
- Alex Anzalone
- Marcus Davenport
- Malcolm Rodriguez
- Levi Onwuzurike
- Derrick Barnes
- Josh Paschal
- Ifeatu Melifonwu
- Jalen Reeves-Maybin
- Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
- Mekhi Wingo
- John Cominsky
- Nate Lynn
- Kyle Peko
Campbell went through the season missing half of his team and still finished tied with the best record in the National Football League while also dominating the leading candidate in the process.
If not Campbell, then who?
