The rebuild and renovation that the Detroit Lions have gone through will be studied for years to come. The franchise has not only restored the hope of its city but has also garnered attention across the country.
Last week, Detroit played in a rematch of last year’s NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers with nothing on the line and still gained more than 22 million viewers. Fans expect it to be a sign of what the Lions have for the future.
Fans Sound Off as Detroit Lions Game Draws 22 Million+ Viewers
The Lions have built upon their uber-successful season from a year ago, which cumulated against the 49ers in Week 17. In a tightly contested affair, the Lions won 40-34 away from home. The game ended up drawing the attention of 22.2 million viewers, breaking this season’s record for most people to tune in.
“The Lions vs. 49ers game drew 22.2 million viewers, making it the MOST-WATCHED Monday Night Football broadcast this season. The Lions are MUST WATCH TV,” Dov Kleiman posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The #Lions vs. #49ers game drew 22.2 million viewers, making it the MOST-WATCHED Monday Night Football broadcast this season.
The #Lions are MUST WATCH TV 📈 pic.twitter.com/9i4IQwLi7y
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 1, 2025
This post sent shockwaves around the footballing world, with Lions fans basking in the glory of this accomplishment.
“DETROIT IS THE MAIN CHARACTER,” responded one fan.
“Lions are America’s team,” one user added.
Lions are America's team
— Unstablesportz (@Unstablesportz) January 1, 2025
“Lions are the most fun team to watch. Period. Best game this year was Lions-Vikings and we get it again Sunday,” another fan tweeted.
A majority of fans shared this sentiment and expect the record of 22.2 million viewers to be broken during the Lions’ final game of the regular season.
“Lions vs Vikings about to be most watched Sunday game too this week,” another user added.
“A meaningless game too. Lions vs Vikings might double that,” one fan tweeted.
A meaningless game too. Lions vs vikings might double that
— VintageAaronRodgers (@VentageArod) January 1, 2025
Dan Campbell Hypes Up Lions vs. Vikings Week 18 Game
Dan Cambell’s squad will be ready to face off against the Minnesota Vikings for all the marbles. Both teams are 14-2 and have clinched postseason berths. However, the winner will not only win the NFC North, they’ll also earn the NFC’s No. 1 seed, with a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
“This is what you’re in it for, man,” Campbell said to the media. “Ultimately, this is it. I mean, you couldn’t write a better scenario. You couldn’t come up with this… it just doesn’t get any better than this. This is fairy-tale stuff.”
In their first meeting, in Week 7, the Lions grabbed the victory and the bragging rights. This time around, though, the NFC North division title and a shorter advantageous postseason are on the line.