The Detroit Lions have been the class of a top-heavy NFC this season. While the Lions have several challengers hot on their tails, Detroit is also closing in on some important postseason milestones.
With a playoff berth already clinched for 2024, let’s use the PFN Playoff Predictor to examine the chances of Dan Campbell’s squad claiming the NFC North and the No. 1 seed, especially after losing to the Bills in Week 15.
Detroit Lions Playoff Situation | Week 15 Update
NFC Scores in Week 15 Relevant to Playoff Race
- Rams defeated 49ers, 12-6
- Commanders defeated Saints, 20-19
- Cowboys defeated Panthers, 30-14
- Buccaneers defeated Chargers, 40-17
- Cardinals defeated Patriots, 30-17
- Bills defeated Lions, 48-42
- Eagles defeated Steelers, 27-13
- Packers defeated Seahawks, 30-13
- Vikings defeated Bears, 30-12
Detroit’s loss to the Bills on Sunday has opened the door for the Eagles to steal the NFC’s top seed away from the Lions. Additionally, the Vikings won their Week 15 game against the Bears and are now also sitting at 12-2.
It’s going to be a sprint to the finish line for NFC’s No. 1 seed, and there’s really no way to sort out the different scenarios because so much can happen in the next three weeks. Currently, the PFN Playoff Predictor gives the Lions a 42.4% chance to secure the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
As for the NFC North, the Lions can win the division if they win out. The Playoff Predictor gives them a 60.5% chance to do just that.
A second win over Minnesota would clinch the head-to-head tiebreaker. If Detroit and Minnesota split the series and end with the same record, we would go to the common games tiebreaker. There are still too many games left at this point to determine who would hold the edge in that category.
Detroit has the fifth-hardest remaining strength of schedule. They’ll face the Bears in Week 16, the 49ers in Week 17, and the Vikings in Week 18.
Meanwhile, the Eagles will face off against the Commanders, Cowboys, and Giants, while the Vikings take on the Bears, Seahawks, Packers, and Lions.
At the end of the day, while Week 15’s potential Super Bowl preview against the Bills was exciting, it doesn’t actually alter whether or not the Lions control their own destiny for both the division and the No. 1 seed. A win would have increased Detroit’s margin for error, but the final three games will ultimately determine their place in the standings.
If the Lions win out, they will lock up the No. 1 seed in the NFC. They control their destiny, and that’s the easiest path to the playoffs for Detroit. If they lose again? That’s where the PFN’s free NFL Playoff Predictor comes into play, as you can choose who will win the remaining NFL games to see how each game can impact the NFL playoff picture.
