Lions’ Victory Over Cowboys Shakes Up NFC Playoff Picture

Bassyonni

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Lions’ Victory Over Cowboys Shakes Up NFC Playoff Picture

The Detroit Lions’ recent victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night has significantly impacted the NFC playoff picture. The Lions triumphed with a score of 44-30, enhancing their postseason prospects while dealing a serious blow to the Cowboys.

Lions’ Playoff Hopes Surge

Before the matchup, the Lions had a 30% chance of making the playoffs, which would have dropped to 12% had they lost. However, their win improved their record to 8-5 and raised their playoff chances to approximately 45%.

Currently, the Lions rank No. 8 in the NFC standings, trailing the San Francisco 49ers, who hold the final wild-card spot at 9-4. The Lions need a better record than the 49ers to surpass them. Since they do not face each other again this season, the tiebreaker will depend on conference records, where the 49ers lead with an 8-2 record compared to the Lions’ 5-4.

Remaining Schedules

The Lions have three NFC games remaining:
- Los Angeles Rams
- Minnesota Vikings
- Chicago Bears
The 49ers will play the Seahawks and Bears, both at home.

The Lions’ path to the playoffs appears challenging. Their only realistic opportunity is to secure a wild-card berth, with an 8% chance to win the NFC North. They lost both encounters against the Packers and have only one win against the Bears thus far.

Cowboys’ Playoff Chances Dwindle

On the other hand, the Cowboys entered the game with a 23% chance of making the playoffs, which plummeted to 9% following their loss. Their prospects of winning the NFC East now stand at 4%, as the Philadelphia Eagles dominate the division with a 96% chance of winning it.

Impact on Division Standings

The Eagles currently hold a strong position despite recent losses.
Dallas sits in 10th place in the NFC standings, three wins behind the 49ers.

The Cowboys face a tough road ahead. Even if they win all their upcoming games, their playoff odds would only reach 41%, with a mere 17% chance of capturing the division title. Their schedule includes home games against the Chargers and Vikings, along with road matches against the Commanders and Giants.

Effects on the NFC Conference

While the Lions and Cowboys fought for playoff positioning, the impact on other NFC teams was marginal. The Eagles’ chances of making the playoffs increased by 2%, solidifying their lead in the division. Meanwhile, the Bears saw a decrease in their playoff odds and division chances, which fell by 2%.