By Mummy Grace 
The Detroit Lions entered Week 18 with high stakes, needing a win over the Minnesota Vikings to claim their second consecutive NFC North title. They delivered a dominant performance, defeating the 14-win Vikings 31-9. The victory not only secured the division but also gave the Lions their first No. 1 overall seed in the Super Bowl era, earning them a coveted bye week.
The Vikings, however, were left reeling. Forced into a road wild-card matchup due to their loss, they fell to the Los Angeles Rams 27-9 in a game relocated to Arizona because of California wildfires. The Rams jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, advancing to the divisional round while the Vikings’ season ended in disappointment.
Many credited the Lions for “breaking” their division rival. NFL commentator Ross Tucker noted on social media that Detroit’s Week 18 thrashing may have set the tone for the Vikings’ playoff struggles. Lions reporter Tim Twentyman echoed the sentiment, pointing out that Detroit is now just one win away from returning to the NFC Championship game.
Despite his earlier prediction of a playoff rematch with the Vikings, Lions head coach Dan Campbell shifted his focus to the Washington Commanders, who defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to set up a divisional showdown in Detroit. Campbell praised Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, noting his poise and dual-threat capabilities:
“He is dangerous. He poses a major threat. He does not play the position like a rookie quarterback. He’s composed, he understands how to progress, he sees the field well, he can buy time with his legs, he’s a dangerous runner.”
The Lions, aiming for their first-ever Super Bowl appearance, remain focused on the task ahead. With the Green Bay Packers also eliminated in the wild-card round, Detroit’s path to the title will not include any divisional foes. Instead, they are fully locked in on their next challenge: a home game against the upstart Commanders.