Detroit Lions Can Win Their First Division Title In 30 Years Sunday

DETROIT — There are multiple ways the NFC North leading Detroit Lions can clinch a playoff berth this weekend.

First, the Lions (10-4) can win the NFC North this weekend with a win (or tie) against the Minnesota Vikings (7-7) in Minneapolis. It would be their first division title since they won the NFC Central in 1993.

If the Lions lose, then the Vikings can still catch the Lions for a potential division winning "title game" in week 18. But the Vikings must defeat the Green Bay Packers (6-8) and the Dallas Cowgirls (10-4) must defeat the Lions in week 17 for that to happen.

In other words, the Lions need just one more win or one more Vikings loss to wrap-up their first division title in 30 years.

Another scenario includes, if the Los Angeles Rams (7-7) or Seattle Seahawks (7-7) lose (or tie) this weekend, then the Lions will clinch at least a Wild Card spot in the NFC Playoffs. The Rams host the New Orleans Saints (who are 7-7 and also fighting for a playoff spot) Thursday night and the Seahawks (7-7) play at Tennessee (5-9) Sunday.

Currently, the Lions sit as the No. 3 seed in the NFC Playoffs, meaning they'll host the No. 6 seed in January. They could still get the No. 2 seed, but the No. 1 (San Francisco 49ers) and its first round bye seems unlikely.