How The Detroit Lions Can Make The Playoffs

Will the Detroit Lions run the table and eventually make it to the NFL Playoffs in 2022? That appears to be a real possibility now that the Lions have won five of their last six games and have a (on paper) manageable schedule for the remainder of the season.

Having said that, even if the Lions were to prevail, they would still require assistance from at least a few other teams. Well, thanks to some assistance from Thursday Night Football, the Detroit Lions’ odds of making the playoffs just got better.

How The Detroit Lions Can Make The Playoffs

After their first seven games, the Lions had a 1-6 record. They are 6-7 after defeating the NFC North’s top-ranked Vikings at home in Week 14 by a score of 34–23.

Detroit is still very much in the running for the NFC playoffs given their lone loss in the previous five games came at home against the best team in the AFC, Buffalo, on Thanksgiving. Not only did the Lions, who are currently in second place, increase their chances of qualifying for the wild card round, but they also prevented the Vikings from winning the division until Week 15.

Where do the Lions stand in the NFC playoff picture?

The Lions are No. 9, two spots lower than No. 7 and the third and final wild-card spot in the NFC. They are just behind the Giants (7-5-1) and Seahawks (7-7) and just ahead of the Packers, Panthers and Falcons (all 5-8). At 6-7, the Lions can no longer catch the Vikings (11-3), who clinched the NFC North in Week 15 with their miracle comeback win over the Colts.

What games are left on the schedule?

In Week 15, the Lions travel to the defensive-minded Jets, who are vying for an AFC wild-card spot. They stay away in Week 16 to play at Carolina, where the odds are better.

After that, the Lions play two more divisional contests, hosting the Bears at home in Week 17 and travelling to face the Packers in Week 18. They should enjoy their chances to finish 3-1 and finish with a 9-8 record based on their recent strong offensive and better defensive play

How likely are the Lions to make the playoffs now?

To go up to No. 7, the Lions must take care of their own affairs and enlist genuine assistance. Unfortunately for them, the Giants and Commanders have a matchup coming up, so it’s likely that after tying in Week 13, one of them will win in Week 15. Fortunately, the Seahawk’s loss to the 49ers gave the Lions a chance to catch up by a half-game. Their chances, which are currently circling around 10%, would be effectively eliminated by a loss to the Jets.

The last thing the Lions want is for the Giants or Commanders to finish a half-game ahead of them due to a tie between them and the Seahawks, to whom they lost.

 

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