Get the No. 1 seed. They have the team to do it

Just minutes after the Detroit Lions defeated the Tennessee Titans 52-14.

Just minutes after the Lions improved their record to 6-1 for the first time since 1956, when you sit back and think about it, this team is doing some crazy, absolutely historic things.

Just minutes after Lions coach Dan Campbell gave a game ball to Kalif Raymond for posing as the fastest man in the world on five jaw-dropping punt returns and then catching a TD pass because he could.

Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown made a quick switch and turned his attention to next week.

“This week is over,” said St. Brown, standing next to his locker. “We got the 'W' and we're going to enjoy it for a day and whatever, and then we're off to Green Bay, which will be a big test for us.”

Yes, that's how quickly the Lions turned the page after that loss to the Titans, which tells you everything you need to know about this team's mentality and focus, not to mention the importance of this upcoming game.

The Lions play the Packers in a battle royal on Sunday at Lambeau Field.

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“In Green Bay,” St. Brown said, setting it up. “Second league game. They played really, really well. So it’s going to be a fight for us and we know that.”

It's a monstrous game.

The Lions are 6-1 while the Packers are 6-2.

And the importance of this game cannot be overstated. If the season ended today, the Lions would have home field advantage in the playoffs.

That's what they're playing for now. That's the big goal: the No. 1 seed in the NFC and a first-round bye to rest up.

“We played pretty well right now and got a lot of points,” St. Brown said. “The defense stops a lot of teams and causes turnovers. I think that’s the biggest thing: we take care of the football for the most part and the defense causes a lot of turnovers.”

Yes, that seems to work well.

The Packers' uncertainty at QB

If St. Brown is already moving to next week, so should we.

So let’s take a moment to prepare for this week.

The Packers are coming off a 30-27 win in Jacksonville on Sunday.

But here's the big news from this game: Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love injured his groin.

MORE SEIDEL: The Detroit Lions already need two big things — talent and time — to overcome absences

He tried to keep playing, even though he struggled, completing 14 of 22 passes for 196 yards with one interception.

From what I understand, he went into a casualty tent and came out with his leg wrapped up.

“Obviously there's always a lot of concern when someone's in there,” Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur told reporters in Jacksonville. “He nailed it right at the start of that first drive. I think you guys, I think everyone could see him having trouble moving. It got to a point where we were tired of it and he felt like he couldn’t protect himself anymore.”

The Packers brought in backup Malik Willis, who completed four of five passes for 56 yards and led Green Bay to a game-winning drive. Don't be so quick to dismiss Willis just because he's a replacement. He started two games for the Packers this season and led them to victories over Indianapolis and Tennessee.

“I can’t say enough great things about Malik Willis,” LaFleur said. “The job he can do is go in there. You know, the moment is never too big for him, and he made a lot of great plays in this game, not just with his arm, but with his ability – he had a big bounce with his legs. Just really proud of our boys.”

Goal #1: be ranked #1

So the Lions set off into the frozen tundra, even though it isn't frozen yet. At least I hope not, right?

And the Packers have some uncertainty at quarterback. This will only make this week more exciting, not that we need it.

The Packers have won four straight.

Flipping the Script: The Detroit Lions used to be a team that lost heartbreakers. Now they are the ones delivering it

The Lions have won five straight, their longest winning streak since 2016.

Yes, more story.

Want more?

The Lions gained at least 100 rushing yards and scored a rushing touchdown in each of the first seven games of a season for the first time since 1936.

And they have scored 162 points and 21 touchdowns in the last four games – the most points and touchdowns scored in a four-game span in franchise history.

Now, the crazy part? The offensive wasn't really sharp on Sunday.

“It's only my fourth year in this league, so definitely the best team I've played on since I've been in this league,” St. Brown said. “I thought last year’s team was great. I think we might be a little better this year, but starting 6-1 is great. It's great. But for us, as you know, it’s a one week at a time mentality.”

No matter who the Packers have at quarterback, no matter the situation, I have a feeling the Lions will be ready.

Because that's what they've shown all season long.

And they showed that on Sunday when they took on a Titans team that has already started selling its players.

“This team figured it out and played hard,” Campbell said. “I really felt that and we thought they were going to do it, it's not like we didn't do it. So, I give them credit, and I know it doesn't seem like it. But we came to fight, and that's what we expected. I felt like we were going to be ready, we were going to be ready, and it's like I told them, “This is what champions do when they come out, you don't care what time it is, how.” “Whatever the surface is, you just come out and mind your business.” And that’s what we did.”

Are you taking care of your business?

If you do that often enough, if you get enough wins in a row, if you beat the teams you're supposed to beat, and if you avoid disappointment, you can secure the No. 1 seed.

That should now be the Lions' main goal.

It's not a guarantee of a trip to the Super Bowl.

But it is by far the easiest way.

However, if the Lions fall back to second place in the NFC North – the Vikings also only have two losses – the Lions could face a wild card. That means road games, and that's the hard road through NFC.

See: the loss in San Francisco last season.

I know, I know.

It's a whole new mindset for the Lions, not to mention their fans.

But that should be the goal now.

Reaching No. 1 is like a pot of gold at the end of the regular season rainbow.

And that's why every single game is so important.

Nowhere more so than this week.

It's the biggest game of the season, as they say, because it's the next game.

But in this case, in this situation where everything is at stake, because it really is.

Contact Jeff Seidel: [email protected]. Follow him on X @seideljeff. To read his latest columns, go to freep.com/sports/jeff-seidel

Get the No. 1 seed. They have the team to do it

The Packers' uncertainty at QB

Goal #1: be ranked #1

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