Detroit Lions Secure First-Round Bye, Prepare for Divisional Round Showdown
As the NFC’s top seed, the Detroit Lions have earned themselves a coveted first-round bye in the playoffs. This means they’ll be on the sidelines during Wild Card Weekend, with their Divisional Round matchup scheduled for next week. The Lions will continue their pursuit of the franchise’s first-ever Super Bowl championship.
When Do the Lions Play? The Lions will take the field on either Saturday, January 18, or Sunday, January 19, with the opponent to be determined after this weekend’s games. What’s certain is that Detroit will host all their playoff games through the Super Bowl, having secured home-field advantage for the duration of their playoff run.
Lions vs. TBD – Divisional Round Matchup
- Date: Saturday, Jan. 18/Sunday, Jan. 19
- Time: TBD
- TV Channel: TBD
- Live Stream: Fubo (U.S.)
Dan Campbell’s Strategy for the Bye Week Following the Lions’ Week 18 victory over the Minnesota Vikings, head coach Dan Campbell shared his approach for the team’s week off. “Well, enjoy it. Just sit back for a minute, and it’s really one of those things where for the players, you just want to keep the engine idling. That’s probably the best way to say it,” said Campbell.
He outlined the plan for his players, emphasizing rest and recovery. “My plan is to give them off three days this weekend, refresh, get your sleep, get your rest. We’ll know hopefully by Sunday night, and then we come in and we’ll know the opponent. Then we are full force on that, full game plan, we’ll know who we face.”
Campbell also plans to spend some time with his family before the intensity of the playoffs kicks back in. “I’m going to get a little bit of work over the next two days… but, other than that, I want to spend time with my family and just sit back for a minute and just charge back up and be ready to go.”
Potential Opponents for the Lions
Detroit will face either the Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Rams, Washington Commanders, or Green Bay Packers next weekend at home. The exact date and time of the game remain TBD.
The NFL playoff bracket is re-seeded after each round, meaning the highest remaining seed faces the lowest remaining seed. As the No. 1 seed in the NFC, the Lions are guaranteed to play the lowest-seeded team available in the Divisional Round. Consequently, they cannot face the Philadelphia Eagles (No. 2) or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 3).
Lions’ Strong Performance on Both Sides of the Ball
Offensively, the Lions have been dominant. Following a win over the Chicago Bears in Week 16, Detroit clinched the top spot in PFN’s Offense+ rankings and maintained that position with strong performances in the following weeks. The Lions boast the top-ranked pass success rate and the third-best rush success rate in the NFL. Jared Goff has been particularly efficient, and Jahmyr Gibbs’ four-touchdown showing in Week 18 put him on the map as a future star.
While the offense has been rolling, the defense faced challenges with numerous injuries but still managed to impress in Week 18, climbing five spots to No. 9 in PFN’s Defense+ rankings. Despite being depleted, Detroit’s defense produced one of its best performances of the season, especially under the guidance of Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn. By employing a high-pressure defense, including a season-high 17.7% Cover 0 blitz rate, the Lions achieved a remarkable 75.6% success rate in pass defense.
However, with injuries still a concern—especially the loss of top cornerback Terrion Arnold—the Lions will need to stay healthy to maintain their playoff push. Linebacker Alex Anzalone’s return was a bright spot, and there’s hope that key players like Carlton Davis III and Aidan Hutchinson could return as Detroit eyes a deep postseason run.
The Road to the Super Bowl The Lions’ impressive 15-2 regular season has them firmly in the conversation as potential Super Bowl contenders. With a well-rounded offense and an improving defense, Detroit is ready to make a serious push for their first Super Bowl appearance.
