The NFC North is easily the best division in football. Three of its four teams already hit double-digit wins. Two of them have clinched a playoff spot, including the Detroit Lions. What needs to happen over the next few weeks for the Lions to lock up a second straight NFC North title?
What Is the Detroit Lions’ Current Playoff Picture?
Detroit got a massive divisional win against the Chicago Bears in Week 16. The usual superstars made their appearance, with Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Jameson Williams all putting up huge numbers. Chicago, meanwhile, continued their slump and tough first season for rookie QB Caleb Williams.
The Lions (13-2) and Vikings (13-2) are tied in record after Week 16. Since the Lions already defeated the Vikings and have a better division and conference record, there is no sequence of events that can result in the Vikings winning a tiebreaker over the Lions. They have to finish with a better record. Both teams have already clinched a playoff spot.
The Packers (10-4) are in third and have officially been eliminated from NFC North contention. Green Bay’s path to the postseason lies via the Wild Card.
How Did a Lions Win Impact their Playoff Seeding?
The Lions may be locked into the playoffs for a second consecutive season, but how many home games they might get, and whether they get one at all, is still very much in question. The most probable outcome is still the No. 1 overall seed, with the No. 5 seed in second.
After Week 16, only the Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings can potentially finish with a better record than the Lions. With the Lions’ winning this week, that eliminates the Packers from that conversation, and guarantees the Lions will finish no lower than the No. 5 seed.
The Vikings getting a win this week means that if both teams win their Week 17 games, then their Week 18 showdown will basically decide everything, the No. 1 seed and the NFC North.
With a better conference record and exclusively in-conference games remaining, the Lions will win any tiebreaker over the Eagles. With the Eagles losing today, Detroit has a one-game lead and a good tiebreaker advantage. Therefore, the Eagles could be eliminated from the No. 1 seed next week. Detroit could clinch the division and No. 1 seed in Week 17. If Minnesota loses in Week 17, then a Lions win in Week 17 will clinch it all.
Head over to PFN’s free NFL Playoff Predictor to test various scenarios and see how they change the playoff picture and the current NFL postseason bracket.
NFC Playoff Race | Week 18
1. Detroit Lions (14-2)
2. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)
3. Los Angeles Rams (10-6)
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7)
5. Minnesota Vikings (14-2)
6. Washington Commanders (11-5)
7. Green Bay Packers (11-5)
In The Hunt
9. Atlanta Falcons (8-8)
Eliminated From Playoffs
8. Seattle Seahawks (9-7)
10. Dallas Cowboys (7-9)
11. Arizona Cardinals (7-9)
12. San Francisco 49ers (6-10)
13. New Orleans Saints (5-11)
14. Chicago Bears (4-12)
15. Carolina Panthers (4-12)
16. New York Giants (3-13)
