DETROIT – The next opportunity for the Detroit Lions to clinch a playoff berth is in two days, and there are two additional chances over the weekend.
Detroit came moments away from securing their spot in the postseason on Monday, when the Eagles led the Seahawks with under a minute to play. But Seattle scored a game-winning touchdown with 28 seconds remaining, so the celebration was pushed back at least a few more days.
The magic number for the Lions to clinch a wildcard spot is one -- they need the Rams or the Seahawks to lose one game. To clinch the division, the Lions either need to win a game of their own, or the Vikings need to lose. Since two of their final three games are against the Vikings, the division is likely to be settled head-to-head.
But there’s a chance the Lions will be in the postseason before their first game against the Vikings kicks off, as the Rams host the Saints for this week’s edition of Thursday Night Football. This is an incredibly consequential matchup, as both teams are 7-7 and in a four-way tie for the final two wildcard spots.
The Saints are a 4.5-point underdog, but if they can find a way to win, the Lions will be guaranteed, at worst, the No. 7 seed in the NFC.
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If that doesn’t happen, the Lions will have two opportunities to clinch during the early window of games Sunday. They can polish off the NFC North title with a win over the Vikings in Minnesota, or the Seahawks could lose on the road against the Titans.
It’s worth noting that ties by the Rams, Seahawks, or Lions/Vikings would also be enough for Detroit to clinch.
Obviously, the best-case scenario is that the Lions take care of business themselves, but it’s nice to have a few insurance policies.
