‘As good as it gets’ – Detroit Lions set another NFL record but 14-win season may still not be enough in historic year
The Detroit Lions are having a remarkable season. With a record of 14-2, Detroit have been blowing teams away all season long. The Lions are flying this season and have the NFL’s most exciting offenseGetty Led by head coach Dan Campbell and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, the Lions are the NFL’s most exciting team to watch. They have put up 40 or more points in six separate games this season – including most recently against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night. Detroit secured a 40-34 win, and their deadly offense set more NFL records while on the road at Levi’s Stadium. The Lions became the first team in NFL history to have two running backs and two wide receivers all produce 1,000 scrimmage yards in a season. Receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams have topped 1,000 yards receiving and rushing while running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery – known to fans as ‘Sonic and Knuckles’ – have done the same. In fact, Detroit are only the second team in NFL history to have four players with at least 1,000 scrimmage yards and seven touchdowns in a season. The 2004 Indianapolis Colts also did that with running back Edgerrin James, and wideouts Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne and Brandon Stokley. Following Monday night’s win against the 49ers, the Lions are also now the fourth team in NFL history to have three players with 12 or more touchdowns in a season. Only the 1961 Houston Oilers, 2013 Denver Broncos and 2014 Green Bay Packers reached that mark. But while the Lions are putting up historic numbers on offense, they will still need one more big win in a Week 18 showdown with the Minnesota Vikings. The Lions have a record-breaking offense but might not win their divisionGetty The Vikings could also win the NFC North and face Detroit in a decider next SundayGetty While both teams are safely through to the playoffs, the NFC North Division title – and the NFC’s No.1 seed – is still up for grabs. The Lions and Vikings both boast impressive 14-2 records going into the final week of the season. Whoever wins the Week 18 showdown will move to 15-2 and take the top seed, with the bye and home-field advantage in the postseason. The losing team, meanwhile, will have to settle for the fifth seed and hit the road. Whether it’s the Lions or the Vikings, the NFC will have a 14-3 wild card team, which seems almost inconceivable. Never before has there been a 14-win wild card team. The current record belongs to the 1999 Tennessee Titans, with 13 wins. “This is what you’re in it for, man. Ultimately, this is it,” Coach Campbell said ahead of a showdown with Minnesota. “I mean, you couldn’t write a better scenario. You couldn’t come up with this. The fact that both teams are sitting at 14-2 and it’s for the division and the No.1 seed. “It just doesn’t get any better than that. It’s like this is fairy-tale stuff. And so, it speaks for itself. Our guys are excited.” talkSPORT is your home of the NFL on UK radio, and you can stay up to date with all the latest from around the league via our dedicated ‘EndZone’ YouTube channel. talkSPORT will bring you live coverage across Week 18 with a double header featuring the Cincinnati Bengals @ Pittsburgh Steelers and the Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions.
The Detroit Lions are having a remarkable season.
With a record of 14-2, Detroit have been blowing teams away all season long.
Led by head coach Dan Campbell and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, the Lions are the NFL’s most exciting team to watch.
They have put up 40 or more points in six separate games this season – including most recently against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night.
Detroit secured a 40-34 win, and their deadly offense set more NFL records while on the road at Levi’s Stadium.
The Lions became the first team in NFL history to have two running backs and two wide receivers all produce 1,000 scrimmage yards in a season.
Receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams have topped 1,000 yards receiving and rushing while running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery – known to fans as ‘Sonic and Knuckles’ – have done the same.
In fact, Detroit are only the second team in NFL history to have four players with at least 1,000 scrimmage yards and seven touchdowns in a season.
The 2004 Indianapolis Colts also did that with running back Edgerrin James, and wideouts Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne and Brandon Stokley.
Following Monday night’s win against the 49ers, the Lions are also now the fourth team in NFL history to have three players with 12 or more touchdowns in a season.
Only the 1961 Houston Oilers, 2013 Denver Broncos and 2014 Green Bay Packers reached that mark.
But while the Lions are putting up historic numbers on offense, they will still need one more big win in a Week 18 showdown with the Minnesota Vikings.
While both teams are safely through to the playoffs, the NFC North Division title – and the NFC’s No.1 seed – is still up for grabs.
The Lions and Vikings both boast impressive 14-2 records going into the final week of the season.
Whoever wins the Week 18 showdown will move to 15-2 and take the top seed, with the bye and home-field advantage in the postseason.
The losing team, meanwhile, will have to settle for the fifth seed and hit the road.
Whether it’s the Lions or the Vikings, the NFC will have a 14-3 wild card team, which seems almost inconceivable.
Never before has there been a 14-win wild card team. The current record belongs to the 1999 Tennessee Titans, with 13 wins.
“This is what you’re in it for, man. Ultimately, this is it,” Coach Campbell said ahead of a showdown with Minnesota.
“I mean, you couldn’t write a better scenario. You couldn’t come up with this. The fact that both teams are sitting at 14-2 and it’s for the division and the No.1 seed.
“It just doesn’t get any better than that. It’s like this is fairy-tale stuff. And so, it speaks for itself. Our guys are excited.”
talkSPORT is your home of the NFL on UK radio, and you can stay up to date with all the latest from around the league via our dedicated ‘EndZone’ YouTube channel.
talkSPORT will bring you live coverage across Week 18 with a double header featuring the Cincinnati Bengals @ Pittsburgh Steelers and the Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions.
