The Detroit Lions are gearing up for a crucial matchup against the Minnesota Vikings on “Sunday Night Football” this weekend in Detroit, with major playoff and divisional consequences hanging in the balance.

Both teams enter the game with matching 14-2 records, and with the regular season coming to a close, the winner will not only claim the NFC North title but also secure the top overall seed in the NFC.

This would guarantee a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Meanwhile, the loser of this game, despite finishing with 14 victories and the second-best record in the conference, will drop to the No. 5 seed and be forced to play their opening playoff game on the road.

With so much on the line, both teams have been led by outstanding quarterback play.

Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold has emerged as a promising young star, while Lions QB Jared Goff has enjoyed an MVP-worthy season, guiding one of the NFL’s most potent offenses.

Both quarterbacks were officially named to the Pro Bowl on Thursday, but for Goff, there was an additional milestone.

The Lions’ PR team announced that Goff is now only the second quarterback in franchise history, following Bobby Layne, to earn multiple Pro Bowl selections.

To understand the significance of this achievement, it’s important to note that Bobby Layne’s career spanned from 1948 to 1962, and he played his final season with the Lions in 1957 before wrapping up his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

This means that the Lions went over six decades without another quarterback earning multiple Pro Bowl honors, making Goff’s accomplishment all the more historic.

It also puts an end to a long streak for an organization that has faced numerous challenges over the years.

This sets the stage for one of the most important regular-season games in the history of the Lions franchise.

With the NFC North title and No. 1 seed at stake, the game holds immense importance.

Adding to the drama is the fact that the Lions have dealt with several injuries, particularly on defense.

For Detroit, this is a critical chance to earn a playoff bye, with Jared Goff playing a key role in making it happen.