The Detroit Lions can finally call themselves NFC North champions.
With Sunday’s 30-24 win over the Minnesota Vikings, the Lions captured their first divisional title since the 1993 season, when the franchise claimed what was then known as the NFC Central. Now, however, the Lions finally sit atop the foursome that has been known as the NFC North since the 2002 leaguewide realignment.
The playoff berth was also the Lions’ first since 2016. The franchise is looking to end a league-worst postseason victory drought that extends 31 seasons.
Detroit’s rushing attack tallied three touchdowns, including two from standout rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs, while the defense nabbed four interceptions from Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens. The final one, secured by safety Ifeatu Melifonwu, extinguished a last-minute drive by Minnesota and secured the victory.
“This is special,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “It’s something you don’t get to do all the time. They’re always special to win a division, I don’t care how many of them you get cause of the work that goes into it. But to do something that hasn’t been done in 30 years for a team is special. And that’s a special group of men back in there that are staying tame at this point.”
Ahead of Sunday’s game, Lions defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson said he “might cry” if the…
