Taylor Decker breaks into tears as Lions secure their first NFC division title in 30 years, breaking the drought since 1993

After going down to the Chicago Bears weeks ago, the Detroit Lions picked up two consecutive wins. They smashed the Denver Broncos with a 42-17 win last week, and kept up the form by securing a 24-30 win over the Minnesota Vikings. With this win the team is now proudly sitting at the top spot of the NFC North with eleven wins and four losses.

While winning is undoubtedly a happy moment for all the teams, for the Lions, their recent win was special as they secured the top spot of their division after a prolonged period. The excitement of this incredible moment was visible as the team’s OT Taylor Decker was seen bursting into tears following this feat.

Lions have finally won the NFC division after 30 years

The Detroit Lions have finally broken a nearly three-decade dry spell by winning their first divisional title since 1993. For nearly three decades, they languished in the shadows of past glory as the echoes of their former wins faded into the annals of history.

It was 1993 when the NFC Central Division, precursor to the NFC North, last witnessed the Lions reach to the top of their division. Then came the league realignment in 2002, in a new era where they often found themselves trailing by finishing as runners-up multiple times in the NFC North.

Just a few seasons ago, the Lions staggered through a tumultuous period, and won a mere three games. Fast forward to the present, and the transformation is nothing short of miraculous. Head coach Dan Campbell’s leadership guided the team through a staggering turnaround, from a 4-19-1 record in his initial 24 games to a remarkable 19-6 run in recent times.

Nevertheless, as Campbell said their sights are set higher, aiming not just for a divisional win but for a deeper playoff run. The Lions now stand on the precipice of potentially securing the top seed in the NFC as well. They will aim to cap off their extraordinary season with upcoming clashes against the Dallas Cowboys.

Watch: Taylor Decker breaks into tears after Lions victory

The significance of the Lions incredible win reverberated profoundly through the team, especially touching Taylor Decker, who had never tasted the sweetness of a divisional crown in his career. Despite donning the same jersey as iconic players like Calvin “Megatron” Johnson and Matthew Stafford, this success in the NFC North had remained an elusive dream for Decker and his predecessors.

The emotional magnitude of the win was visible as the OT, embraced by his quarterback Jared Goff, was moved to tears while experiencing the overwhelming rush of emotions. For a franchise that had seen its fair share of struggles, this victory carried immense weight.

“It was just a flood of emotions that you didn’t even know were there,” Decker said following the match.

The veteran’s journey with the Lions hadn’t been without its trials. After enduring four losing seasons from 2018 to 2021, he had experienced the agony of disappointment more often than the thrill of victory. Despite reaching the playoffs just once before, this divisional win held a significance that probably surpassed any previous accomplishments.

The celebratory fervor spilled into the team’s locker room as they reveled in their hard-earned victory. Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson showcased his excitement with spirited dance moves while making his first-ever Instagram live video, and playfully saying, “I don’t even know what to do right now.”

Meanwhile, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who was charged a huge fine days ago, playfully mocked the Vikings squad by singing ‘Minnesota’ by Lil Yachty with his fellow teammates.