Detroit Lions Can Only Secure the No. 1 or No. 5 Seed in the Playoffs — Here’s How and Why

The Detroit Lions' potential playoff destinations

DETROIT – The Detroit Lions’ potential playoff destinations are narrowing. They’re in contention for a first-round bye and home field advantage all the way to the Super Bowl, or they could end up with no home games at all.

Detroit bounced back on Sunday with a win over the Bears, improving to 13-2. Shortly after, the Eagles suffered a loss to the Commanders, dropping to 12-3.

However, the Vikings held firm against the Seahawks, staying level with the Lions at 13-2, making it a three-team race for the top seed.

Here’s a breakdown of the playoff scenarios and how (or whether) the Lions can secure them.

No. 1 seed
Is it possible?: Yes.
The Lions can clinch the No. 1 seed by winning their final two games or by defeating the Vikings in Week 18.

If they lose to the Vikings in Week 18, there’s still a way to secure the top spot. The Vikings would need to lose to the Packers in Week 17, and the Lions would need to beat the 49ers.

Simply put, if the Packers beat the Vikings this weekend, the Lions can clinch the No. 1 seed by winning against the 49ers on Monday night.
Otherwise, regardless of the Packers-Vikings result, the Lions can lock in the No. 1 seed with a victory over Minnesota in Week 18.

No. 2 seed
Is it possible?: No.
To secure the No. 2 seed, the Lions would need to win at least one more game, finishing 14-3 at worst.

If the Lions win one of their final two games, they can’t finish lower than the Eagles or any other NFC division winner, meaning they would either claim the No. 1 seed or lose the division to the Vikings and drop to a wildcard spot.

So, while the Lions can’t land the No. 2 seed, it’s not bad news. After the Eagles’ loss to the Commanders on Sunday, all scenarios where the Lions might have been the No. 2 seed now position them to secure the No. 1 seed instead.

No. 3 seed
Is it possible?: No.
The NFC West leaders are the Rams at 9-6, and the NFC South leaders are the Falcons at 8-7.

Since the Lions are 13-2, the worst they can finish is 13-4. This ensures they can’t fall behind either of those division winners, ruling out the No. 3 or No. 4 seeds.

No. 4 seed
Is it possible?: No.
As noted above, the Lions can’t finish with a worse record than the NFC South or NFC West champions.

The No. 4 seed is reserved for the weakest division winner, and that won’t be the NFC North.

No. 5 seed
Is it possible?: Yes.
If the Lions lose the division to the Vikings, they would claim the top wildcard spot and become the No. 5 seed.

No. 6 seed
Is it possible?: No.
Currently, the top wildcard team is Minnesota, and if the Lions end up in a wildcard spot, the Vikings would have won the NFC North and secured either the No. 1 or No. 2 seed.

The next wildcard team is the Packers, who are 10-4. If Green Bay wins its final three games, they could tie the Lions at 13-4, but the Lions would still have the tiebreaker due to their head-to-head wins.

Therefore, there’s no way the Lions could fall to the No. 6 seed.

No. 7 seed
Is it possible?: No.
The Commanders currently hold the No. 7 seed at 10-5.

Since Detroit can’t lose five games, this scenario is mathematically impossible for them.

Blessing Nzireh

Blessing Nzireh

14 thoughts on “Detroit Lions Can Only Secure the No. 1 or No. 5 Seed in the Playoffs — Here’s How and Why

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