The Detroit Lions’ 31-9 win over the Minnesota Vikings in the final game of the 2024 regular season had a playoff vibe to it.

The spoils for the Lions (15-2) were the No. 1 seed in the NFC and home-field advantage throughout, increasing their chances of finally making it to a Super Bowl for a chance at their first NFL title since 1957.

“It’s step one,” said Lions quarterback Jared Goff, a Novato native and Marin Catholic alum. “We’re proud to be 15-2, NFC North division champs — back to back, one seed, bye week — all that stuff.

“But this just tick No. 1 and tick No. 2 is next.”

The Lions, who won consecutive division titles for the first time, will host the lowest seed still standing in the NFC playoffs in the divisional round Jan. 18 or 19.

1. Lions (15-2)

Lift the Lombardi >> The Lions averaged a league-high 33.2 points with one of the best offenses whose scoring total trailed just three teams in NFL history. They tied single-season league marks with 20-plus points in 16 games and 40 or more in six games. Jared Goff is the first NFL quarterback to complete 75% or more of his passes in nine games of a season and the only one to connect on 72% or more of his attempts with at least 4,500 yards passing.

Cancel the confetti >> Detroit’s defense has been besieged by injuries, including superstar Aidan Hutchinson’s broken leg, and a dozen defenders are on IR.

2. Eagles (14-3)

Lift the Lombardi >> The Eagles are set to make a run at their second Super Bowl appearance in three seasons behind Jalen Hurts. If Hurts is recovered from a concussion, he’ll make the Eagles a serious choice to win their second Super Bowl in franchise history.

Cancel the confetti >> No one really knows how Hurts is feeling since he suffered a concussion in late December. He missed the final two regular-season games and his status was in doubt heading into the playoffs.

3. Buccaneers (10-7)

Plan the parade >> QB Baker Mayfield is on top of his game. He ran for a career-best 68 yards last week, threw a pair of touchdown passes and made sure to get Mike Evans over 1,000 yards receiving without putting the game at risk as the Buccaneers won the NFC South.

Cancel the confetti >> A secondary depleted by injuries has struggled and was missing three starters down the stretch. If they’re out, the Bucs will need the front seven to be more disruptive.

4. Rams (10-7)

Lift the Lombardi >> Few teams are hitting the postseason with more momentum than the Rams, who won nine of their final 11 games before resting their offensive starters in the regular-season finale.

Cancel the confetti >> The Rams offense is in a slump, managing just three combined touchdowns in its three games before the finale.

5. Vikings (14-3)

Lift the Lombardi >> Sam Darnold had a career-changing season leading a potent passing attack to superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson and a solid group in Jordan Addison, Jalen Nailor and tight end T.J. Hockenson.

Cancel the confetti >> After being selected for the first Pro Bowl appearance of his career and leading the Vikings to 14 wins, Darnold flopped in the regular-season-ending loss to the Lions with an 18-for-41 performance — including 2 for 11 in the red zone — with the NFC’s top seed on the line.

6. Commanders (12-5)

Plan the parade >> Jayden Daniels is the quarterback Washington has been waiting for. This team will go as far as Daniels takes it, and he has plenty of magic to carry the Commanders on a run.

Cancel the confetti >> The run defense has struggled, worst among playoff teams and 30th in the NFL, and that could spell an early exit. Even the pass defense is an issue, after Baker Mayfield handled them in Week 1.

7. Packers (11-6)

Lift the Lombardi >> The Packers went 10-1 outside the loaded NFC North. After a 34-29 loss to the Eagles in their season opener, Green Bay won all 10 of its games against non-division opponents.

Hold the confetti >> QB Jordan Love hurt his right (throwing) elbow in the Packers’ regular-season finale and did not return, and the Packers lost big-play receiver Christian Watson to a torn right ACL in that game. Star CB Jaire Alexander is also out following knee surgery, and two other defensive starters, LB Quay Walker and S Evan Williams, missed the past three games.