If the Detroit Lions want to win their first division title in 23 years, they'll have to beat the Green Bay Packers next Sunday at Ford Field.
The Packers beat the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday afternoon, 38-25, to set up a de facto playoff game in the regular season finale.
The Lions (9-5) are in first place in the NFC North entering Monday night's game against the Dallas Cowboys, a half game ahead of the Packers (9-6).
Green Bay, however, beat the Lions earlier this season, and a sweep of the season series would give them the tie-breaker advantage over the Lions in the event the two teams finish with identical records.
The Lions won their last division title in 1993, when they beat the Packers in the final week of the regular season, only to lose a rematch six days later, 28-24, on a 40-yard touchdown pass from Brett Favre to Sterling Sharpe with 55 seconds to play.
The Lions haven't hosted a playoff game since.
While the Cowboys (12-2) already have the best record in the NFC locked up, the Lions might be able to secure a playoff spot on Monday night.
With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, the Lions can clinch their second playoff appearance in three seasons with a win or a tie.
