Funviralpark The Detroit Lions are still in the middle of their playoff hunt as we approach Week 17 of the NFL. They’re going to need help along the way after losing to the Carolina Panthers last week, but I feel like everything that needs to happen is within the realm of possibility. We’re not talking about odds, so it’s time to cheer.
If all goes right for the Lions on Sunday, they could actually find themselves in a playoff spot heading into the final week of the season. But before we get into how each game should go down, let’s take a look at where the NFC playoffs are currently.
Division leader:
- Eagles: 13-2 — qualified for playoffs
- Vikings: 12-3 — won NFC North
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49ers: 11-4 — won the NFC West
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Buccaneer: 7-8
Wild Card Race (Top 3 advance)
- Cowboys: 12-4 — qualified for playoffs
- Giants: 8-6-1
- Commander: 7-7-1
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Seahawks: 7-8
- Lions: 7-8
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Packer: 7-8
- Panthers: 6-9
- Saints: 6-9
Here are the teams Lions should cheer for in Week 17:
Colts (4-10-1) vs Giants (8-6-1) — 1 p.m. — CBS
Origin: Colts
This is a relatively low priority game, as the only way the Lions can catch the Giants is if New York loses and the Lions win. Still, it’s a good idea to keep all your options on the table and have as many clinch him scenarios as possible. And if the Giants somehow lose this game as the 5.5-point favorites, they’re still on the table to lose to an Eagles team that could put the starters to rest next week.
Saints (6-9) at Eagles (13-2) — 1pm — FOX
Root: Saint
It may seem counterintuitive to root for a team that could theoretically catch Detroit in a wild card spot, but that’s only if the Lions lose one of their two remaining games. The problem is that if Detroit loses one more game, the playoff odds are so small that those scenarios aren’t even worth considering.
Instead, root for the Eagles to lose so that the NFC East (and the NFC’s No. 1 seed) can still get their hands on it in Week 18. So Philly has a reason to play hard against the Giants, and the Cowboys have a reason for him to beat the Commanders in Week 18.
Panthers (6-9) vs. Buccaneers (7-8) — 1:00 p.m. — FOX
Origin: Buccaneers
Again, we’re dealing with a small percentage here because the Panthers will only catch the Lions if Detroit loses another game. But nonetheless, root for the Bucks as Carolina has a tiebreaker.
browns (6-9) Commander (7-7-1) — 1:00 PM — FOX
Route: Browns
This is the second most important game of the day for the Lions. The Browns are out of playoff contention, but perhaps they’re playing for pride and to see what they can build with Deshawn Watson. Detroit needs Washington to lose now, as it could mean a game that doesn’t mean anything for the team.FiveThirtyEight says the Lions’ playoff odds are up from 24% to 29%, with the Commanders just one loss this week. is. Throw in the Lions win and that jumps to 37%.
Jets (7-8) at Seahawks (7-8) — 4:05 p.m. ET — FOX
Route: Jet
This is the most important game of the day for Lions fans. With the Seahawks losing, the Lions’ playoff odds jump from his 24% to 33%. Thankfully, the Jets are still playing very hard for a playoff berth, and quarterback Mike White is back this week as the Seahawks suffer his four-game losing streak at home to play in Seattle. It’s no longer as difficult as it used to be.
Vikings (12-3) at Packers (7-8) — 4:25 p.m. ET — CBS
Route: Vikings
While this won’t have much of an impact on the Lions’ playoff odds this week, a Vikings win would do well for Detroit next week for several reasons.
- A Vikings win + a Lions win means the Packers are out of playoff contention. This is fun and means Green Bay will have less motivation to try and beat the Lions in Week 18.
- A Vikings win + Eagles loss keeps the No. 1 seed and motivates Philadelphia to beat the Commanders in Week 18.
Even if the Packers win, it won’t be the end of the world. Because the Lions can beat them next week and stay ahead of them in the standings. But that’s easier said than done.
If all these results don’t go the way Detroit wants and the Lions beat the Bears, here’s what the playoffs look like.
Division leader:
- Eagles: 13-3 — qualified for playoffs
- Vikings: 13-3 — won NFC North
- 49ers: 11-4 — won the NFC West
- Buccaneers: 8-8 — won NFC South
Wild Card Race (Top 3 advance)
- Cowboys: 12-4 — qualified for playoffs
- Giants: 8-7-1
- Lions: 8-8
- Commander: 7-8-1
- Seahawks: 7-9
- Saints: 7-9
- Packer: 7-9 – Eliminated
- Panthers: 6-10 — eliminated
Not only are the Lions in a playoff spot, their odds of making the postseason jump to 61%, according to FiveThirtyEight. They’re set up for a “win if you’re in” game at Rambo, with some outs even if you lose that game.
But it doesn’t have to be so perfect. He only needs three results this week for the Lions to become just a win-and-go scenario in Week 18.
- lions beat bears
- Browns beat Commanders
- Jets beat Seahawks
Focus your cheering mojo on these games.
Support for draft positions
The Lions dropped a few spots after the Rams’ another victory over the Broncos, but they still have hopes of a top-5 pick. This week’s route is:
Cardinals (4-11) vs Falcons (5-10)
Broncos (4-11) v Chiefs (12-3)
Colts (4-10-1) vs. Giants (8-6-1)
Saints (6-9) v Eagles (13-2)
Panthers (6-9) vs Bucks (7-8)
Browns (6-9) vs. Commanders (7-7-1)
Raiders (6-9) Over 49ers (11-4)
charger (9-6) Over Rams (5-10)
When all of this happens, your new draft order will look like this:
Note: Schedule number strength (key tiebreaker) is taken from Tankathon and is subject to change based on this week’s results. Also, I gave the Bears a loss and didn’t give them a loss. Texan Rams/Lions can’t catch them, so whatever.
- Texans: 2-12-1 (.488 strength on schedule)
- Bear: 3-13 (.568)
- Falcon: 5-11 (.465)
- Broncos (Seahawks owned): 5-11 (.488)
- Rams: 5-11 (.508)
- Cardinals: 5-11 (.522)
- Colts: 5-10-1 (.508)
- Raider: 7-9 (.461)
- Buccaneer: 7-9 (.492)
- Saints (owned by Eagles): 7-9 (.502)
- Titan: 7-9 (.508)
- Browns (owned by Texans): 7-9 (.522)
Note: I didn’t care about the other 7-8 teams because if the Rams lost to the Chargers, the 7-9 teams wouldn’t be able to catch them. However, the top 10 rankings are subject to change.
If things go on like this, the Rams are guaranteed a seven-man pick at worst. With some luck in week 18, he could theoretically return to the top three. Of course, many of these outcomes are highly unlikely, but still mathematically possible.
