Story by
Detroit Lions hang banner at practice facility to commemorate NFC North division title
- Story by
- Detroit Lions hang banner at practice facility to commemorate NFC North division title
Finally, the Detroit Lions have a banner worth raising.
Six years after the Lions took down the banner commemorating their playoff appearances at Ford Field, the team has raised a banner to celebrate its first division title in 30 seasons.
Advertisement
The Lions practiced on their indoor field Wednesday with a blue "North Division Champions 2023" banner on the southeast side of the facility.
The Detroit Lions have hung up a new banner at their facility in Allen Park, Michigan, commemorating their 2023 NFC North division title
The banner hangs next to large silver banners commemorating the team's NFL championships in 1935, 1952, 1953, and 1957.
The Lions clinched the NFC North with a 30-24 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Christmas Eve and will host their first home playoff game since January of 1994 next week. They last won the division in 1993, before the NFC North existed.
Meanwhile, wide receiver Jameson Williams (ankle) and left tackle Taylor Decker did not practice Wednesday, and the Lions officially opened defensive tackle Alim McNeill 's 21-day practice window in his return from injured reserve.
Advertisement
DETROIT LIONS MAILBAG: Final thoughts on Lions' 2-point plays, Goff's contract and more
McNeill, who sprained his MCL in early December, practiced with a large brace on his right knee Wednesday and is expected to play Sunday, when the Lions close the regular season with a rematch against the Vikings.
"It's going to be good to get him back," Lions coach Dan Campbell said of McNeill. "And I know he's looking forward to it just like we are, so he's excited and he'll get some work again here for us. And yeah, he's excited and so I think it'll be good. You always, this time of year, for him, it's going to kind of feel like game one again. He's going to – he'll be fresh, have fresh legs and a fresh energy about him, so it's good."
The Lions (11-5) can tie the franchise record for most wins in a regular season with a victory Sunday. The 1991 team is the only Lions team to win at least 12 games in a season.
Advertisement
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com . Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions hang banner to commemorate NFC North division title
