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Here’s where the Lions land in updated NFC playoff picture

Lions sitting in No. 3 seed in NFC

Detroit Lions fans cheer after an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, in New Orleans. Detroit won 33-28. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) (Butch Dill, Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

The Detroit Lions are closing in on securing their first playoff berth since 2016.

With a win on Sunday in New Orleans, the Lions find themselves sitting pretty atop the NFC North, and tied for the No. 2 seed in the NFC, with the 49ers currently ahead in tiebreakers.

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If the playoff started today, the Lions would be hosting a playoff game in the first round against the Vikings, who are idle this week.

Here are the updated NFC playoff standings:

  1. Philadelphia Eagles: 10-2
  2. San Francisco 49ers: 9-3
  3. Detroit Lions: 9-3
  4. Atlanta Falcons: 6-6
  5. Wild card: Dallas Cowboys: 9-3
  6. Wild card: Minnesota Vikings: 6-6
  7. Wild card: Green Bay Packers: 6-6

The Lions have a cushion in the NFC North, but the Vikings and Packers are not going away easily, as they currently both find themselves in a playoff spot.

The Lions will face the Vikings twice before the season ends. They also visit Dallas on a Saturday night.

The Lions 9-3 start is the best for the franchise since 1962.

Detroit magic number to clinch the NFC North is now three -- that’s any combo of Detroit wins and Minnesota losses.


About the Author
Ken Haddad headshot

Ken Haddad has proudly been with WDIV/ClickOnDetroit since 2013. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters, and helps lead the WDIV Insider team. He's a big sports fan and is constantly sipping Lions Kool-Aid.

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