The NFL couldn’t have scripted a better way to close the 2024 regular season. The Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions, both sitting at a jaw-dropping 14-2, are set to clash in a Week 18 showdown with everything on the line. From historical records to playoff implications, this matchup has it all.
But does it rank as the greatest regular-season game in NFL history? Let’s break it down.
A Record-Setting Showdown
This game isn’t just about two great teams. It’s about history. Sunday night’s matchup will feature the most combined wins (28) for any regular-season game in NFL history. The winner will become only the ninth team to finish a regular season with 15 or more wins, while the loser will hold the record for the most wins (14) by any wild-card team, surpassing the 1999 Tennessee Titans.
Even with the NFL’s 17-game schedule introduced in 2021, these achievements are unprecedented. Add to that the fact that these divisional rivals happen to meet in the season’s final game, and it feels almost too perfect.
The Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher
This isn’t just about bragging rights. The stakes for Sunday’s game are massive. The winner claims the NFC North title, the No. 1 seed, and a first-round bye. That means they’ll be two home wins away from a Super Bowl berth. The loser? They’ll drop to the No. 5 seed and face a far more tough playoff path. A road game on wild-card weekend against the explosive Tampa Bay Buccaneers could await, followed by potential matchups with the Philadelphia Eagles and the NFC North champ- all on the road.
Sunday's game in Detroit will be only the 4th in NFL history between two teams that are both 10+ games above .500, per @EliasSports. The others:
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) December 30, 2024
2005: Seahawks vs. Colts
1983: Washington vs. Cowboys
1926: Yellow Jackets vs. Bears
For two teams that have never won a Super Bowl- and with the Lions famously never even making it to one- this game feels like a pivot point in franchise history.
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Previous Showdowns and Drama
This isn’t the first time these teams have delivered a thriller. In Week 7, the Detroit Lions edged the Vikings in one of the season’s best games. Despite leading 28-17 in the fourth quarter, Detroit allowed Minnesota to surge ahead 29-28. Jared Goff then orchestrated a dramatic game-winning drive, capped by a field goal with just 15 seconds left, securing a 31-29 victory. That was one of only two losses for the Vikings all season.
Also Read: Which NFL Teams Have Reached Three Consecutive Super Bowls?
Historical Comparisons
The NFL has seen some legendary regular-season matchups, but few can compare to this Minnesota Vikings- Detroit Lions clash:
- 1990 Giants vs. 49ers: Both teams were 10-1 when they met on Monday Night Football. While the 49ers won a defensive slugfest 7-3, the stakes and anticipation were immense.
- 2018 Chiefs vs. Rams: This 9-1 showdown produced arguably the greatest regular-season game ever. The Rams won a 54-51 shootout filled with jaw-dropping plays.
- 2007 Patriots vs. Colts: An 8-0 Patriots team faced the 7-0 Colts in another classic Brady vs. Manning duel. The Patriots pulled off a late comeback to win 24-20.
- 1985 Bears vs. Dolphins: The undefeated Bears faced Miami late in the season, in what became their only loss of the year. The Dolphins’ win preserved their status as the only team to complete a perfect season.
- 1967 Colts vs. Rams: The stakes were enormous as these two juggernauts battled for a playoff spot. The Rams’ 34-10 win ended the Colts’ season despite an 11-1-2 record- the best ever for a non-playoff team.
While these games were memorable, none featured two teams with such gaudy records meeting in the final week of the regular season.
The NFL’s Perfect Storm
When the NFL scheduled Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions for Week 18, they couldn’t have predicted this. The combination of divisional rivalry, historic records, and high stakes has created a perfect storm. Flexing this game to Sunday night was a no-brainer- it’s practically a playoff game before the playoffs.
YOU KNOW THE LIONS WON AGAIN. MINNESOTA ON THE CLOCK. #OnePride pic.twitter.com/iqVlgREtzF
— Barstool Detroit (@BSMotorCity) December 31, 2024
A Chance to Make History
Whether it becomes the greatest game ever played will depend on how it unfolds. But everything is in place for this to be a legendary chapter in NFL history. Two 14-2 teams, a division title, the No. 1 seed, and perhaps even a Super Bowl berth hanging in the balance. The Minnesota Vikings-Detroit Lions finale is a must-watch event that may set a new standard for regular-season greatness.
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