The Detroit Lions’ impressive franchise-record winning streak has come to an end, but they still have a chance to achieve another remarkable milestone this week in their game against the Chicago Bears. A victory would give the Lions their 13th win of the season, marking a new franchise record for wins in a regular season. For context, Detroit has only reached 12 wins in two previous seasons—1991 and 2023.
To put this accomplishment into perspective, since the inception of the NFL, 102 teams have managed to win at least 13 regular season games. The first to do so were the Frankford Yellow Jackets, a Philadelphia-based team, in 1925 during their second season. The San Francisco 49ers hold the record for the most 13-win seasons, with 11, even though their first came in 1981. The Green Bay Packers are second with eight such seasons. Of the 95 teams that have achieved 13 wins in the Super Bowl era, 47.4% of them (45 teams) reached the Super Bowl, and 23.2% (22 teams) went on to win the championship.
While the Lions may not currently be favored by oddsmakers to win the NFC, there’s no need for alarm. They still possess enough talent and offensive firepower to secure the top seed in the NFC and earn a first-round playoff bye. But first, they need to defeat a Chicago Bears team that has been struggling this season. The Bears have lost their last eight games, and despite the mid-season firing of head coach Matt Eberflus on November 30, they haven’t experienced the typical “new coach bounce.” This will be the Bears’ first home game since the coaching change. Although the Bears have a more talented roster than their record suggests, they lack the offensive capabilities to keep pace with the high-scoring Lions, especially with a rookie quarterback at the helm.
For the Lions, securing their 13th win would not only set a new franchise benchmark but also further solidify their place as one of the NFC’s top contenders. While their streak has ended, they still have the potential to finish the regular season on a high note and position themselves for a deep playoff run.
