This week, the Detroit Lions have a chance to clinch the NFC North Division title and the No. 1 playoff spot.

With their victory over the Bears on Sunday, the Lions increased their record to 13-2 and moved closer to the crucial top slot. The Eagles’ loss to the Commanders was simply frosting on the cake.

There is now a scenario in which the Lions can secure the top seed by the end of Week 17. This would allow them to rest their players in Week 18 as well as a first-round bye the following week.

Two weeks off until the playoffs? That is just what the doctor ordered for this team.

The best thing is that the Lions do not require a complex set of outcomes for it to occur. Nope, they just need two things:

• Packers defeated the Vikings on Sunday afternoon.
• The lions defeated the 49ers on Monday night.

That’s it: two paltry wins. The Packers will be underdogs in Minnesota, but no one would be surprised if they won. And the Lions will be favored in San Francisco, especially now that the 49ers are mathematically out of playoff contention.

It’s a nice week for the Lions to play on Monday since they’ll know a day before kickoff whether their game in San Francisco is meaningful. If the Vikings lose, they will have a chance to secure the conference’s top seed.

However, if the Vikings win, the Lions will know that the division title and the top seed will be decided in Week 18 at Ford Field. So the 49ers game would be solely for pride (and possibly a little payback).

Reference: Here’s how Detroit Lions can clinch NFC North and No. 1 playoff seed this week