They made the playoffs each year except 1962 and 1961, when they finished second both seasons in the NFL's Western Conference. Only the winner of each conference played for the league championship in those years. STATS AND STUFF: The Lions clinch the NFC North with a win.
RUNNING BACKS Tier 1: Lineup locks — Christian McCaffrey (SF vs BAL) — Kyren Williams (LAR vs. NO) — Travis Etienne (JAX at TB) — Rachaad White (TB vs. JAX) — Breece Hall (NYJ vs. WAS) — Tony Pollard (DAL at MIA) — Isiah Pacheco (KC vs. LV) — James Cook (BUF at LAC) — Raheem Mostert (MIA vs. DAL) — Derrick Henry (TEN vs. SEA) — Devin Singletary (HOU vs. CLE) — Alvin Kamara (NO at LAR) Most of these guys are in smash spots this week. Lock them in. Tier 2: Probable starters — James Conner (ARI at CHI).
The Minnesota Vikings have stumbled down the stretch of this most unpredictable — even by NFL standards — season. After all those clutch late-game plays last season, some narrow losses seemed inevitable for these Vikings. “We feel like every time we lose it’s self-inflicted,” wide receiver Justin Jefferson said after the 27-24 overtime decision in Cincinnati.
Quarterback Jake Browning has the Bengals still in the AFC playoff race and his story is one of the most surprising in the NFL this season. After spending the past four seasons on practice squads, the 27-year-old Browning was an underwhelming choice to lead the Bengals after franchise quarterback Joe Burrow was lost for the season with a wrist injury. On Saturday, Browning won his third consecutive start, a wild, come-from-behind game that ended with Evan McPherson's 29-yard field goal in overtime for a 27-24 win.