Heading into Week 16, a the Detroit Lions were basically in a must-win situation in order to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The Lions entered Week 16 with an 8-6 record, hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers in a near-even matchup. In one of the wildest endings of any game this season, the Lions suffered a 29-24 home loss to the Steelers, hurting their playoff chances significantly.
Let’s explore the Lions’ current playoff chances after yesterday’s loss to the Steelers.
Can The Detroit Lions Still Make The Playoffs?
Despite yesterday’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Detroit Lions are not officially eliminated from the playoffs. As of right now, NFL.com’s playoff predictor gives them an 8% chance of being postseason bound.
Two things have to happen in order for Detroit to clinch a playoff berth. Detroit has to win their final two games of the season, which are both road games against the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears.
Detroit will also need the Green Bay Packers to lose each of their final two games of the regular season. Green Bay faces the Baltimore Ravens and the Vikings.
Current NFC Playoff Picture
While the AFC only has two teams officially in the playoffs with playoff berths clinched already, the NFC has a total of five teams clinched so far.
The Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, and San Francisco 49ers each have clinched a playoff berth.
The fourth seed will be decided between the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, leaving two playoff spots open. As of now, the Panthers would earn the fourth seed, being in the lead of the NFC South race.
The Rams and 49ers would hold the two lowest wildcard spots as Seattle is currently the No. 1 seed. That would leave one wildcard spot open. As of right now, the 9-5-1 Packers have a much better chance at earning that final wildcard spot over Detroit.
That’s why Detroit needs to win out while Green Bay loses out in order to make the postseason.
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