Detroit Lions’ Playoff Hopes Dwindle After Two-Day Downfall
The Detroit Lions have seen their playoff aspirations diminish significantly within a two-day span. Following a Thanksgiving loss to the Green Bay Packers and simultaneous victories by the Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys, the Lions now find themselves struggling to secure a postseason berth. Initially starting the week with a 73% chance of making the playoffs, Detroit’s probabilities have plummeted to just 32%, reflecting a staggering 41% decline.
Current NFC Playoff Standings
The current standings in the NFC North are as follows:
- Chicago Bears: 9-3
- Green Bay Packers: 8-3-1
- Detroit Lions: 7-5
- Minnesota Vikings: 4-7
With two full games separating them from the Bears and a game-and-a-half behind the Packers, the Lions are in a challenging position. To revive their playoff hopes, they will need to perform exceptionally well in the upcoming games.
Remaining Challenges
One critical matchup looms large: a Week 18 showdown with the Bears. Winning this game could close the gap and give Detroit a crucial head-to-head tiebreaker against Chicago. However, the Bears have shown strong form recently, having won nine of their last ten games.
Green Bay also remains a tough contender. The Packers face a challenging schedule, but they must be outperformed significantly in the next five games for the Lions to close the gap.
Playoff Race Overview
As the playoff race intensifies, the following teams are in contention for Wild Card spots:
- Seattle Seahawks: 8-3
- Green Bay Packers: 8-3-1
- San Francisco 49ers: 8-4
- Detroit Lions: 7-5
- Dallas Cowboys: 6-5-1
- Carolina Panthers: 6-6
Detroit is currently positioned at a disadvantage. They are two games behind the Bears and 1.5 games behind the Packers and Seahawks, assuming no ties or losses.
Possibilities for the Lions
The Lions can still manage to find their way into playoff contention but must do so without faltering. While they technically trail the 49ers by one game, San Francisco holds the advantage in conference records. With four remaining divisional games and other crucial matchups, every game counts.
If Detroit encounters another loss against Dallas, their playoff chances could drop to as low as 14%, illustrating the critical nature of upcoming games. The Lions must capitalize on their opportunities to enhance their playoff aspirations before the season’s end.
