While continuing to wait for their Week 15 matchup against the Chicago Bears on Monday, the Minnesota Vikings saw their chances of finishing the 2024 regular season as the No. 1 seed in the NFC increase after the Detroit Lions suffered a loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday
With the loss, the Lions' record drops to 12-2, and now, if Detroit and Minnesota both win the rest of their games before their Week 18 meeting, that regular-season finale will likely decide the top of the NFC North and the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
In addition to the Lions adding another loss to their record, they also lost multiple players on the defensive side of the ball to injury. During Sunday's matchup, Detroit cornerbacks Khalil Dorsey and Carlton Davis and defensive lineman Alim McNeill all left the contest early with injuries that could cause them to miss time in the future.
Week 18 contest between Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions setting up to be a gigantic game
Heading into the 2024 season, some believed the Vikings were going to be one of the worst teams in the entire NFL after moving on from the mighty Kirk Cousins. But with only four games left on their schedule, Minnesota now has a very realistic shot at finishing the regular season as the NFC's No. 1 seed with home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
If that is going to happen, the Vikings will likely have to defeat the Lions in Week 18 inside Detroit's home building. Minnesota suffered a heartbreaking two-point loss to the Lions inside U.S. Bank Stadium back in Week 7, so the Vikings have already had the desire to avenge that outcome in the season finale.
Minnesota and Detroit aren't the only teams currently competing for the No. 1 seed in the NFC this season, however, as the Philadelphia Eagles are also in the running. On Sunday, the Eagles improved their record to 12-2 with a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, and they are right in the thick of the race for the top of the NFC with the Vikings and Lions.
These next few weeks of the regular season are shaping up to be quite the thrill ride, but first, Minnesota must take care of business and defeat the Bears on Monday night.