Will Detroit get NO. 1 seed, NFC North title?

LIONS

Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold celebrates penalty against the Green Bay Packers during Thursday’s win over the Green Bay Packers. The Lions have won 11 straight games.

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff gestures before the start of Thursday’s home victory over the Green Bay Packers. Detroit (12-1) leads the NFC North Division by one game and currently holds the No. 1 playoff seed in the NFC by one game over the Philadelphia Eagles. CARLOS OSORIO PHOTOS — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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By Nolan Bianchi

The Detroit News

The Detroit Lions were one catch away from the Philadelphia Eagles being buried.

The crucial drop came Sunday, as the lowly Carolina Panthers were trying to close out a road victory at Philadelphia. Wide receiver Xavier Legette got wide open behind the Philadelphia defense — namely, former Lions defensive backs C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Darius Slay — and quarterback Bryce Young delivered a perfect throw against the blitz for what appeared to be the go-ahead touchdown with 46 seconds remaining.

Only one problem: Legette couldn’t hang on to the diving grab. Carolina turned it over on downs a few plays later. And with that, the Eagles remained hot on Detroit’s heels for the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

Those hoping to see the Lions, who toppled the Green Bay Packers with a walk-off field goal on Thursday night, extend their lead in the division and conference races had a disappointing Sunday.

Not only did the Eagles avoid the upset, but the Minnesota Vikings, who entered the fourth quarter of their game with the Atlanta Falcons tied, blew their opponent out by three scores.

This week’s Monday Night Football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys has no bearing on the NFC playoff race, so let’s take a look at where the Lions stand after the majority of Week 14 action has wrapped.

The NFC North

The 2024 NFC North has an argument for being the best division in football history.

Aside from divisional games, the Lions, Vikings and Green Bay Packers have suffered just one loss each, going a combined 28-3 outside of the NFC North.

After Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. sealed Minnesota’s win with a one-handed interception, he told NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero that the Vikings are sick of not being mentioned among the NFC’s best.

Prompted by a question from Pelissero about the Lions getting a lot of attention as Super Bowl contenders, Murphy said, “Y’all need to start talking about us.”

“We’re tired of the Detroit talk,” Murphy said. “We’re gonna get to that game eventually, but right now, it’s just focusing on every single Sunday, and we’ll see them soon. But right now, talk about the Vikings, because we on one right now.”

After Week 14, the Lions have a 91% chance to win the NFC North for a second straight year, according to the New York Times’ playoff simulator. Detroit has already clinched back-to-back playoff appearances and saw their chances at the division go up from 87% entering Thursday.

The Lions and Vikings will