Regardless of what happens in Week 18’s winner-take-all game against the Minnesota Vikings, the Detroit Lions are legitimate Super Bowl hopefuls. However, if they could secure the top seed, their road would be lot clearer.
Without considering statistical benchmarks or previous results, having two games in Ford Field’s electrified environment, which may be the best home-field advantage available, is a significant advantage. The ultimate goal has always been to secure the No. 1 seed and repeat as NFC North champions.
“We’re always looking forward to that. “Our fans are the best in the league,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell stated. “Look, the whole reason you talk about the one-seed is because you believe you have an edge when playing at home. “Not everyone can say that. We can. Because we do.
The arrangement of our fans and stadium creates a unique atmosphere. I’m looking forward to it. “We are looking forward to it.” Last year, the Lions won both postseason games at Ford Field, but they were defeated on the road by the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC championship.
Also, with all of the ailments to this banged-up defense and running back David Montgomery, the bye week would provide everyone some much-needed rest. Avoiding cross-country flights and road trips would greatly benefit injured players and those who have been carrying the weight.
The Lions created a 21-day return window for starting linebacker and captain Alex Anzalone prior to the season finale versus the Vikings. He and many injured defenders may be able to return for these high-pressure games, and the more rest they get, the higher their chances of making it back.
Having stated that, the numbers speak for themselves without even taking into account the preceding points. Only seven wild-card teams have ever made it to the Super Bowl, with five of them running the table to victory. Wild-card teams that have won the Super Bowl include the 1980 Oakland Raiders, 1997 Denver Broncos, 2000 Baltimore Ravens, 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers, 2007 New York Giants, 2010 Green Bay Packers, and 2020 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
It’s crucial to remember that the Lions went 8-0 on the road this season. They are the first NFL team to go undefeated on the road since the Kansas City Chiefs in 2020, so don’t count them out if they have to. The 2020 Chiefs lost the Super Bowl to the Tom Brady-led Buccaneers, a wild-card club that won everything.
Since the playoffs expanded to seven teams, four of the eight No. 1 seeds have advanced to the Super Bowl. The 2022 Chiefs are the first top-seeded team to win it all, but the fact that 50% of No. 1 seeds advance to the Super Bowl speaks for itself.
The Lions have also never been the top seed in the NFC-AFC playoffs. They were the third seed last year. It would be the cherry on top of a spectacular season in which they have already established a franchise record for victories.
The loser of the Lions-Vikings game is seeded fifth and faces a difficult route to the playoffs. Regardless of what occurs, a 14-win team will go to the wild-card round for the first time in league history, which the Lions want to avoid.
“I believe that (the aim of getting the No. 1 seed) was set at the close of last year. You leave that game thinking, ‘what gives you the best odds to get to where the ultimate is,’ which, as we all know, is the reward, and that’s the Super Bowl,” Campbell added.
“You just try to set yourself up as best you can, which is why you make goals. “Yeah. It has been there for a while. Certainly, this is something we want to do and have thought about. (Winning the division, one seed, and all that is right here in our grasp.”
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