(CBS DETROIT) – The Detroit Lions have secured a spot in the playoffs and expect to make a strong run regardless of the playoff outcome on Sunday High stakes combat against the Minnesota Vikings.

It has been a roller coaster ride for the team and its fans over the past few seasons to achieve such success.

2019

It’s been a little over five years since the Lions capped a dismal 3-12-1 season with a 23-20 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Detroit started the season with a promising 2-0-1 record, but lost 12 of its last 13 games.

2020

Head coach Matt Patricia and general manager Bob Quinn were fired after a 4-7 start. Things didn’t get much better after the personnel changes, as the Lions finished the season 1-4 under interim coach Darrell Bevell and posted an overall regular season record of 5-11. It was the third straight season that Detroit finished last in the NFC North.

2021

In January 2021, the Lions made some important moves on and off the field:

In the 2021 draft, Detroit selected offensive tackle Penei Sewell with the seventh overall pick, defensive tackle Alim McNeill and cornerback Ifeatu Melifonwu in the third round and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown in the fourth round.

The first season under Campbell’s leadership was a difficult one for Lions fans to watch, starting 0-8 and finishing with an overall record of 3-13-1.

2022

On January 10, 2022, the Lions fired Anthony Lynn as offensive coordinator and named then-passing game coordinator Ben Johnson to that role.

In the 2022 draft, the team selected defensive end Aidan Hutchinson with the second overall pick, receiver Jameson Williams with the 12th overall pick, defensive end Josh Paschal in the second round and safety Kerby Joseph in the third round.

The team got off to a poor start, winning only one of their first seven games. However, Detroit pulled off a major turnaround, winning eight of its last 10 games and finishing the season 9-8 – its first winning record since 2017.

The Lions won five of six division games in 2022 and lost once to the Vikings.

2023

The Lions continued to assemble a solid, young core, drafting running back Jahmyr Gibbs with the 12th overall pick of the 2023 draft, followed by linebacker Jack Campbell with the 18th overall pick. Tight end Sam LaPorta and safety Brian Branch were taken in the second round.

In the regular season, Campbell helped lead Detroit to a 12-5 record, tying the then-franchise record for regular season wins. The 12 wins were enough for the team’s first NFC North title since 1993 and its first playoff appearance since 2016.

During the playoffs, Detroit defeated Stafford and the Rams in the wild card round 24-23 at Ford Field for the organization’s first playoff win in 32 years.

The Lions are in the divisional round defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-23 to advance to the NFC Championship for the second time in franchise history.

The Lions fell to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship after blowing a 17-point lead, but the remarkable 2023 season gave fans plenty of hope for the future.

2024

The Lions hold a 14-2 record heading into Sunday’s game against the Vikings, setting a number of individual and franchise records in the process.

Among the most notable records are Detroit’s 14 wins, good for most franchises in a regular season, and their eight straight road wins are the longest streak in franchise history.

In October, Goff set an NFL record by completing all 18 of his passes against the Seattle Seahawks in the team’s 42:29 victory.

Throughout the season, fans have expressed their joy at the team’s tremendous progress in recent years.

“This is the most exciting year I have ever had as a Lions fan,” John Hamilton said after the team championship Thanksgiving win against the Bears. “It was just hard before and I persevered through it, but now it’s about finally getting some excitement and being part of the good team.”

The winner of Sunday’s game will receive NFC’s No. 1 playoff seed, home-field advantage and a first-round bye, as well as the NFC North title.

Kick-off is at 8:20 p.m. CBS News Detroit will have live updates during the game.