DETROIT – The Detroit Lions are on the brink of a return to the playoffs, but there’s technically still one 11-game scenario in which they get left out.
Detroit is 10-4 after a dominant victory over the Broncos this weekend, and its magic number for both a playoff spot and the NFC North title is one. The Lions could clinch Monday night with a Seahawks loss or with any loss by the Vikings, Rams, or Seahawks in the future. They could also simply win one of their last three games.
But what if none of that happens? It’s an extremely unlikely scenario, but technically, it does exist.
Here’s everything that would have to happen:
- Seahawks beat Eagles -- 8:15 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18.
- Rams beat Saints -- 8:15 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21.
- Vikings beat Lions -- 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24.
- Seahawks beat Titans -- 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24.
- Cowboys beat Lions -- 8:15 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30.
- Rams beat Giants -- 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31.
- Seahawks beat Steelers -- 4:05 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31.
- Vikings beat Packers -- 8:20 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31
- Vikings beat Lions -- Sunday, Jan. 7 (time TBD).
- Seahawks beat Cardinals -- Sunday, Jan. 7 (time TBD).
- Rams beat 49ers -- Sunday, Jan. 7 (time TBD).
If every single one of these results come true, the Lions, Vikings, Rams, and Seahawks will all finish 10-7, and the Vikings will win the NFC North thanks to a pair of head-to-head wins over the Lions.
The second-place team in the NFC East -- either the Cowboys or Eagles -- would earn the top wildcard, leaving two spots for the Lions, Seahawks, and Rams. Due to superior conference records, the Rams (8-4) and Seahawks (7-5) would win the tiebreaker over the Lions (6-6).
Of all the cruel moments Lions fans have been put through, this would be by far the most painful. Luckily, let’s be honest, it’s not going to happen.
...right?
