The Detroit Lions have made plenty of franchise history during the 2024 season, not only claiming their first ever No. 1 seed, but repeating as NFC North champions by beating another 14-win team in a riveting game.
Such outcomes would qualify most teams for a great season no matter what happens in the playoffs. Right now, the Lions aren't geared like most teams. Their focus is firmly on taking the next step as champions once the postseason begins.
Quarterback Jared Goff isn't looking at what the Lions have already done as any type of finish line or exclamation point.
"(It's) not the cherry on top. Not yet. It's fun. It's what we talked about when we first got here. Certainly when I first got here, the opportunity you dream about is being able to win division championships in the NFC North and then ultimately win Super Bowls and that's what's next for us I think. This is fun and exciting and we obviously wanted it really bad. We're going to enjoy the heck out of it, but it's step one and in some other world it would have happened a few weeks ago and we'd be having this conversation a few weeks ago. But it happened (Week) 18 and it had to happen the way it did. Everything happens for a reason, and now we need to enjoy this and then get ready to go win another one."
For the Lions, the process of preparing for the next game has likely started even though the opponent is unknown. They've already basked in the win for 24 hours and are locked in on preparing for what's next. Ultimately, Goff's leadership is a big reason that's the case.
Jared Goff remains unfazed by Detroit Lions' schedule change into playoffs
The Lions' chance at finding playoff success could come down to health for a dinged-up defense. For that reason, it's good news Detroit earned a bye for the wild card round. Goff, however, sounded ready to kick off the playoffs this week thanks to the mindset he sees from the team.
"I will never count our guys out with injuries. Yes, getting the rest with injuries absolutely helps, but what our defense has done with the amount of guys they've had out? They don't care. They flinch. It's a mentality. It's who they are. It's what Dan (Campbell) breathes into them. It's what Aaron (Glenn) breathes into them and it's just who they are as humans. They don't care that you keep taking guys out. They just keep on coming and they're a dangerous crew right now."
Goff is speaking like a player on another level. That's good news for the Lions, who don't feel they have accomplished anything after winning arguably the most important regular season game in NFL history.