What a season it has been for the Detroit Lions. After a terrible 1-6 start, they clawed their way back to .500 only to lose in blowout fashion to a bad Carolina Panthers team last week. Now, their playoff chances have taken a serious hit, but they are still technically alive in the NFC. What are the Lions’ current playoff scenarios, and what is the best-case scenario this week?
Update: Lions Playoff Chances Increase With Week 17 Win
It was an easy Week 17 win for the Lions as they took down the Chicago Bears 41-10. Their chances increased with the Cleveland Browns taking down the Washington Commanders but now eyes for Lions fans need to shift over to the New York Jets vs. Seattle Seahawks contest this afternoon.
As things stand now, the Lions’ chances to make the playoffs are at 34%. With the New York Giants winning, the scenario of sneaking in off two Giants losses to end the season is out the window.
The Seahawks’ victory over the Jets means that their fate is not in their own hands. The Lions need to defeat the Packers in Week 18 and hope the Rams can beat the Seahawks.
Lions Playoff Scenarios To Watch for in Week 17
Ahead of the Lions’ loss to the Panthers, they basically controlled their own destiny with two NFC North games to close out the year. Unfortunately, now they need to not only win this week against the Bears and next week against the Packers, but they also need some help.
The Lions will need at least one loss by both the Washington Commanders and Seattle Seahawks to qualify for the postseason, or one loss from either team plus two losses by the New York Giants.
The Giants losing out is unlikely with a game against the Indianapolis Colts on deck. The Colts are starting Nick Foles at QB and just lost to the Chargers 20-3. They are arguably one of the worst teams in the NFL.
Looking ahead for the Commanders, they are facing the Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys to finish the year. The Browns are just playing spoiler at this point, but the Cowboys could need that Week 18 win to possibly compete for the NFC East and top seed if the Eagles lose to the Saints this weekend.
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The Seahawks currently have the best odds of taking over the last Wild Card spot. Seattle is a half-game out of the final Wild Card berth, like the Lions, but holds the tiebreaker based on head-to-head results. Seattle ends the year with home games against the New York Jets and Los Angeles Rams.
Additionally, like something from a nightmare for Lions’ fans, Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers can also make an impact and steal the last Wild Card spot. They would need to beat the Minnesota Vikings and the Lions to end the regular season. They would win a head-to-head tiebreaker with the Lions based on conference record.
What Are the Lions’ Playoff Chances?
According to FiveThirtyEight, the Lions currently have a 24% chance of making the playoffs. Looking at some of their current competitors, the Seahawks sit at 27%, the Packers at 27%, the Commanders at 29%, and the Panthers at 29%.
At Draftkings Sportsbook, the Lions’ odds of making the playoffs sit at +350. If the Lions win their next two games, their playoff chances increase to 69% with a 9-8 record. If Seattle loses one of their next two, the Lions’ playoff chances increase to 89%. If the Commanders also lose one of their next two, then Detroit gets in.