Lions Will Either Be No. 1 or No. 5 Seed in NFC Playoffs
DETROIT – The Detroit Lions have secured a playoff spot, but their seed and first opponent remain undecided.
If the Lions land the No. 1 seed, they will receive a first-round bye and host a divisional round game. Should they end up as the No. 5 seed, they will travel to face the lowest-seeded division winner.
Here’s a breakdown of potential opponents for the Lions’ first playoff game:
Philadelphia Eagles
Likelihood: Very unlikely.
Many expect the Lions and Eagles to meet in the NFC Championship Game, but an earlier matchup is possible.
If the Eagles lose their final two games and the Commanders win out, the Commanders would claim the NFC East title, pushing the Eagles to the top wild card spot. If the Eagles then beat the lowest-seeded division winner in the wildcard round and the other two NFC wild cards lose, the Lions would host them in the divisional round due to reseeding.
However, this scenario is highly improbable, as it would require the Eagles to lose to the Cowboys and Giants at home.
If the Eagles win the NFC East, they’ll be a top-two seed, meaning they can’t face the Lions in the wildcard round, even if Detroit drops to the No. 5 seed.
Minnesota Vikings
Likelihood: It’s not crazy.
If the Lions win the NFC North and claim the No. 1 seed, the Vikings would be either the No. 5 or No. 6 seed.
If the Vikings lose their final two games and the Packers win their last three, Green Bay would become the No. 5 seed, and Minnesota would fall to No. 6.
Should the Vikings pull off an upset in the wildcard round, the Lions could meet their division rivals for the third time this season, much like the Eagles scenario. The Vikings have a higher likelihood of making the playoffs than the Eagles.
Green Bay Packers
Likelihood: Seems fairly likely.
If the Lions secure the No. 1 seed, a matchup with the Packers in the divisional round feels probable. For this to happen, the Eagles and Packers would both need to win their wildcard games. This would result in the Packers being the lowest-seeded team, sending them to Detroit.
Washington Commanders
Likelihood: There’s a decent chance.
In a similar scenario to the one described above, if the Commanders upset their wildcard opponent, they would play the Lions in the divisional round. If the Commanders win the NFC East, they would claim the No. 2 seed, meaning they couldn’t face the Lions in the first round.
Los Angeles Rams
Likelihood: It could happen.
The most likely scenario for the Rams to face the Lions would be if Detroit loses the NFC North to Minnesota and falls to the No. 5 seed. In that case, if the Rams are the No. 4 seed, they would host the Lions.
Alternatively, if the Rams lose the division to the Seahawks and drop to the No. 6 or No. 7 seed, an upset in the wildcard round could bring Matthew Stafford back to Ford Field for the divisional round.
Atlanta Falcons
Likelihood: It could happen.
As the current No. 4 seed, the Falcons are a possible opponent if the Lions finish as the No. 5 seed.
If the Lions are the No. 1 seed and the Falcons remain at No. 4, the two teams would only meet if none of the wildcard teams win in the first round.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Likelihood: There’s a decent chance.
The Buccaneers, who have already beaten the Lions this season, would need to make up some ground to earn a rematch.
Currently on the playoff bubble, Tampa Bay could claim the NFC South and the No. 4 seed, which would send the Lions to Florida if Detroit falls to a wildcard spot.
Alternatively, if the Buccaneers make the playoffs as the No. 7 seed, an upset in the wildcard round could bring them to Ford Field.
Seattle Seahawks
Likelihood: Not very likely.
The Seahawks are at risk of missing the playoffs entirely. If they manage to secure a wildcard spot, they could either be the No. 4 seed or possibly face the Lions in the divisional round if both teams advance. However, this outcome depends on several key games falling in their favor.
