So far it's been a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holidays for Lions fans after Detroit went on the road and beat Minnesota on Christmas Eve to clinch the NFC North title and at least the No. 3 seed in the NFC playoffs.
But as Lions head coach Dan Campbell said after the win, "This is just the beginning. We feel that way."
One day after clinching their division, the Lions' path to the NFC's top seed and a first-round bye became more realistic when the Baltimore Ravens defeated the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football.
As it stands heading into Week 17, San Francisco, Philadelphia and Detroit all have 11-4 records with two games to play.
The 49ers still hold the No. 1 seed because they currently hold the conference record tiebreaker over both the Eagles and Lions with a 9-1 mark against NFC opponents. Both Philly and Detroit are 7-3 in the conference. The only way either the Eagles or Lions leapfrog the 49ers is to finish the season with a better record than them.
That means the Lions will have to win their remaining two games and hope the 49ers stumble the next two weeks at either Washington (4-11) or vs. Los Angeles Rams (8-7) to end the year. The Rams, who have won five of their last six contests, could be fighting for their playoff hopes in that Week 18 game. That certainly won't be an easy matchup for the 49ers.
Go inside the Detroit Lions locker room following the team's division-clinching victory over the Minnesota Vikings.
Detroit Lions General Manager and Executive Vice President Brad Holmes celebrates in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal (75) celebrates in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) celebrates in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Dan Skipper (70) and Detroit Lions guard Jonah Jackson (73) celebrate in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Anthony Pittman (57) celebrates in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Will Harris (25) and Detroit Lions President and CEO Rod Wood celebrate in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions General Manager and Executive Vice President Brad Holmes and Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) celebrate in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal (75), Detroit Lions guard Jonah Jackson (73), Detroit Lions guard Kayode Awosika (74) and Detroit Lions tackle Dan Skipper (70) celebrate in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) celebrates in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell celebrates in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions Principal Owner and Chair Sheila Hamp and Detroit Lions Director of Security Elton Moore celebrate in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Romeo Okwara (95) celebrates in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) celebrates in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions General Manager and Executive Vice President Brad Holmes celebrates in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) and Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell celebrate in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions Principal Owner and Chair Sheila Hamp and Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell celebrate in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions General Manager and Executive Vice President Brad Holmes and Detroit Lions Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn celebrate in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) and Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58) celebrate in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Chase Lucas (27) celebrates in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Romeo Okwara (95) celebrates in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell celebrates in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell celebrates in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell celebrates in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Will Harris (25) celebrates in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (42) and Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) celebrate in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) celebrates in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68) celebrates in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) and Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) celebrate in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) and Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77) celebrate in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) celebrates in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Chase Lucas (27) celebrates in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (6) celebrates in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) and Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) celebrate in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Julian Okwara (99) and Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) celebrate in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Charles Harris (53) and Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) celebrate in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) celebrates in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Julian Okwara (99), Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31), and Detroit Lions cornerback Will Harris (25) celebrate in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Julian Okwara (99) celebrates in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) celebrates in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (6), Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31), and Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) celebrate in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55), Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (44), Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46), Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34), Detroit Lions linebacker Anthony Pittman (57), Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (42), Detroit Lions linebacker Trevor Nowaske (59), and Detroit Lions Linebackers Coach Kelvin Sheppard celebrate in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions guard Kayode Awosika (74), Detroit Lions guard Jonah Jackson (73), Detroit Lions offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal (75), Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77), Detroit Lions tackle Dan Skipper (70), Detroit Lions tackle Taylor Decker (68), Detroit Lions offensive lineman Graham Glasgow (60), Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell (58), Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16), Detroit Lions Offensive Line Coach Hank Fraley, and Detroit Lions Assistant Offensive Line Coach Steve Oliver celebrate in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions Principal Owner and Chair Sheila Hamp and Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) celebrate in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds (8), Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy (85), Detroit Lions Wide Receivers Coach Antwaan Randle El, Detroit Lions wide receiver Maurice Alexander (15), Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14), Detroit Lions Assistant Wide Receivers Coach Seth Ryan, Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11), Detroit Lions wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (19), Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9), and Detroit Lions wide receiver Antoine Green (80) celebrate in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough (18), Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (12), Detroit Lions Quarterbacks Coach Mark Burnell, Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (10), and Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) celebrate in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Anthony Firkser (86), Detroit Lions Tight Ends Coach Steve Heiden, Detroit Lions tight end James Mitchell (82), and Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) celebrate in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5), Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13), Detroit Lions Assistant Head Coach/Running Backs Coach Scottie Montgomery and Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) celebrate in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Julian Okwara (99), Detroit Lions defensive lineman John Cominsky (79), Detroit Lions defensive lineman Romeo Okwara (95), Detroit Lions defensive lineman Brodric Martin (98),Detroit Lions defensive lineman Josh Paschal (93), Detroit Lions defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs (96), Detroit Lions defensive lineman Charles Harris (53), Detroit Lions Defensive Quality Control Wayne Blair, Detroit Lions defensive lineman Benito Jones (94), Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97), and Detroit Lions defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike (91), celebrate in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Julian Okwara (99) and Detroit Lions defensive lineman Romeo Okwara (95) celebrate in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) and Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) celebrate in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Steven Gilmore (36), Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30), Detroit Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (6), Detroit Lions safety Tracy Walker (21), Detroit Lions cornerback Cameron Sutton (1), Detroit Lions cornerback Chase Lucas (27), Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31), Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32), Detroit Lions cornerback Will Harris (25), Detroit Lions cornerback Kindle Vildor (29) celebrate in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Benito Jones (94) celebrates in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) and Detroit Lions General Manager and Executive Vice President Brad Holmes celebrate in the locker room after a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24, 2023 in Minneapolis. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
If both the Lions and 49ers win their two remaining games, the Lions would get the NFC's No. 2 seed ahead of the Eagles because the Lions would have a better record against common opponents in that scenario. That means the Lions would be guaranteed to host a second playoff game at Ford Field in the Divisional Round of the playoffs if they advance out of the opening Wild Card round.
At the very least, the Lions can't finish below third in the conference standings no matter what happens the next two weeks in Dallas (10-5) or home Week 18 vs. Minnesota (7-8).
