Are the Detroit Lions FINALLY heading back to the playoffs? After their stunning victory over the Dallas Cowboys, the odds are looking better than they have in YEARS. Forget pipe dreams – we're talking real, tangible possibilities. According to NextGenStats, the Lions now have a 54% chance of making the playoffs! The New York Times is a bit more conservative at 45%, but the consensus is clear: Detroit's playoff hopes are surging.
And for the first time in what feels like forever, the schedule is breaking in their favor. Other games this weekend could significantly boost their chances. Let's dive into the updated NFL playoff picture and see exactly where the Lions stand after that electrifying Thursday night win.
The NFC North Showdown:
Here’s how the NFC North looks right now:
- Bears: 9-3
- Packers: 8-3-1
- Lions: 8-5
- Vikings: 4-8
The Lions are currently a game-and-a-half behind both the Bears and the Packers. But here's the exciting part: the Bears and Packers play each other this week! Regardless of the outcome, the Lions will close the gap on at least one of their rivals to either one game, or just half a game. Winning the division is still a long shot – the NYT gives them only an 8% chance – but don't count them out just yet. Stranger things have happened, right?
I personally think Lions fans should be rooting for a Bears loss this Sunday. Why? Because if the Bears stumble, the Lions will be within striking distance of taking the division lead. All they need to do is match the Bears' record over the next three games. This would make their Week 18 showdown in Chicago a winner-take-all battle for the division crown. Talk about high stakes!
Here’s a closer look at each team’s schedule from Weeks 15-17:
Lions:
- at Rams
- vs. Steelers
- at Vikings
Bears:
- vs. Browns
- vs. Packers
- at 49ers
The Broader NFC Playoff Landscape:
Okay, let's zoom out and see where the Lions stand in the overall NFC playoff picture.
Division Leaders:
- Bears: 9-3
- Rams: 9-3
- Eagles: 8-4
- Buccaneers: 7-5
Wild Card (Top Three Advance):
- Seahawks: 9-3
- Packers: 8-3-1
- 49ers: 9-3
- Lions: 8-5
- Panthers: 7-6
- Cowboys: 6-6-1
So, the Lions are currently 1.5 games back of the final Wild Card spot. But, as mentioned, they're poised to get some help from other Wild Card contenders this weekend. And this is the part most people miss: they now have a cushion of at least one game over everyone else on the outside looking in. That's huge!
The Wild Card Scramble: A Closer Look at the Contenders' Schedules
To really understand the Lions' path, let's examine the remaining schedules of the four teams vying for a Wild Card spot. I've bolded the games where these teams face each other, as those matchups will have a direct impact on the playoff race:
Bears:
- at Packers
- vs. Browns
- vs. Packers
- at 49ers
- vs. Lions
Packers:
- vs. Bears
- at Broncos
- at Bears
- vs. Ravens
- at Vikings
49ers:
- Bye week
- vs. Titans
- at Colts
- vs. Bears
- vs. Seahawks
Seahawks:
- at Falcons
- vs. Colts
- vs. Rams
- at Panthers
- at 49ers
In other words, there’s a LOT of football left to be played. The playoff picture is far from settled, and the Lions have a legitimate shot at making some noise. But here's where it gets controversial... Do you think the Lions' strength of schedule is actually easier or harder than the other Wild Card contenders? And more importantly, what's your gut feeling? Are the Lions a playoff team this year? Let me know what you think in the comments below!
