The Detroit Lions are the No. 2 spot in the NFC Playoff Picture, but with the Philadelphia Eagles facing the Kansas City Chiefs this week, the top seed is just around the corner.Of course, if the Lions just keep taking care of their own business, including this week’s game against the Chicago Bears, they’ll have a strong chance at a first-round bye. But first, let’s take a closer look at the NFC playoff landscape and the greatest conceivable scenarios other than a Lions victory.
Dallas is a contender for both postseason seeding and the Wild Card if Detroit loses the NFC North lead. After losing to Philadelphia, the Cowboys appear unlikely to win the NFC East, but there’s nothing wrong with dealing them another defeat.
A Panthers victory benefits the Lions indirectly, as the Chicago Bears control the Panthers’ first-round draft pick in 2024. If Carolina wins, that option may fall down the order.
Last Sunday, the 49ers looked more like themselves, crushing the Jaguars 34-3. I still believe this is a squad capable of running the table, making them a legitimate contender to the No. 1 seed. For the rest of the season, root against the 49ers (save for their games against the Seahawks).
In fact, the Seahawks are the only club in the NFC with a head-to-head tiebreaker over Detroit. They still have two games against the 49ers, as well as games against the Cowboys and Eagles, on their schedule. But why not jumpstart that losing streak?
On Sunday night, one of the most crucial games of the week will take place. The Vikings have won five straight games, and their path to the playoffs has been made a little simpler by the absence of Joe Burrow from their Week 15 game against the Bengals. They’re a difficult team to beat right now, but the Broncos are actually favorites in this one. Let’s hope the home team comes out on top.
The Packers aren’t going to be a threat this season, but who doesn’t enjoy seeing them lose? This, however, does little to benefit the Lions. While it enhances the Lions’ strength of win over the Chargers (one possible tiebreaker), it decreases their strength of victory versus the Packers.
There’s no reason to be concerned about the Commanders leapfrogging the Lions in the Wild Card, although it is mathematically feasible. So, if that’s all you care about, the Giants are the club to root for.
Nonetheless, the Giants are among the clubs vying for the No. 1 overall choice. They appear to be a club capable of taking the game away from the Bears. So I wouldn’t blame you if you want to root for the Commanders to dish them another defeat.
Unfortunately, the Lions will not be able to overtake the Eagles this week. According to conference record, Philadelphia would possess a small tiebreaker. The Lions would improve to 5-1 in the conference, while the Eagles would remain unbeaten at 6-0 in the NFC.
In other words, the Lions would like to see the Eagles continue to lose, but some conference losses would also be beneficial. They still have games at Dallas and Seattle, as well as a home game against the 49ers, so everything is still possible.
Meanwhile, the Lions have a two-game cushion between themselves and the third-seeded 49ers. If they lose to the Buccaneers, San Francisco will fall to 4-2 in conference play, giving the Lions a tiny advantage.
Of course, if the standings remained as they are, Detroit would have to face the Vikings three times in four weeks: Week 16, Week 18, and the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
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