DETROIT – The Detroit Lions are back on clinch alert tonight, as the first game of Week 16 could make their return to the playoffs official.
The Lions have 10 chances to clinch a postseason bid in the final three weeks of the NFL regular season, and the first is on Thursday Night Football, as the Rams host the Saints.
It’s an incredibly important game for both teams. Los Angeles is 7-7 and currently in a four-way tie for the final two wildcard spots. The Saints are also one of those tied 7-7 teams, with the added layer of being tied for first place in the NFC South Division.
As for the Lions, they sit at 10-4 and need just one more win or a loss by the Rams, Seahawks, or Vikings to clinch a playoff spot. So Thursday night’s rooting interest is for the Saints to take down the Rams -- a tie would also do the trick.
If the Lions eventually go on to win the NFC North Division, Thursday night could also go a long way toward determining which team travels to Ford Field in the first round of the postseason. The head-to-head tiebreaker between the Rams and Saints could hold significant weight.
If the Rams beat the Saints, the Lions will have a chance to take care of business and lock up the division themselves on Sunday, as they travel to Minnesota. The Seahawks could also help the Lions clinch by losing in Tennessee.
