DETROIT – We still don’t know for sure what seed the Detroit Lions will earn in the playoffs and who their first-round opponent will be.
But that will all change on Sunday.
A handful of games will determine which team comes to Ford Field next weekend, starting with the Lions hosting the Minnesota Vikings at 1 p.m.
What you’ll know after Lions game
In short, as long as the Lions beat the Vikings on Sunday, you won’t know anything by the time 4 p.m. arrives.
Detroit is still hoping to earn the No. 2 seed in the NFC, but for that to happen, both the Eagles and Cowboys need to lose.
The Cowboys visit the Commanders and the Eagles visit the Giants at 4:25 p.m. Sunday, so if the Lions win, fans will have to follow both of those games to learn Detroit’s seed.
But if the Lions lose, then the No. 2 seed is out of reach, and the Lions will be locked into the No. 3 seed by 4 p.m.
The only other game that might matter at 1 p.m. is Falcons-Saints, If the Lions do end up as the No. 2 seed, there’s a small chance their first-round opponent could be the Saints. If the Saints lose to the Falcons, that scenario is eliminated.
What you’ll know after late window
There are seven games kicking off at 4:25 p.m. Sunday, and five of them could affect the Lions.
Let’s start with the seeding. Obviously, the Eagles and Cowboys games will be the top priority for Lions fans on Sunday evening. If both of those games are competitive, several scenarios will remain in play deep into the late window.
If the Lions beat the Vikings, you’ll find out around 7:30 p.m. whether they are the No. 2 seed or the No. 3 seed. If the Cowboys or Eagles are winning in a blowout, then you might have a pretty good idea before those games go final, but it won’t be official.
Then there’s the matter of who the Lions will play. If they’re the No. 3 seed, they will either host the Rams or Packers. If the Rams win or the Packers lose, the Lions host Matthew Stafford and the Rams. If the Rams lose and the Packers win, the Lions will get a rubber match with Green Bay.
Bears-Packers and Rams-49ers both kick off at 4:25 p.m., so while fans are keeping an eye on seeding, they also need to be on Opponent Watch.
Don’t completely forget about the Seahawks-Cardinals game, either. If the Lions end up as the No. 2 seed, there’s a chance the Seahawks could win and end up as the No. 7 seed. Then Detroit would get another dreaded visit from Seattle.
Recap
Let’s briefly recap the timeline for Sunday.
After the 1 p.m. games, you’ll know:
- Whether or not the Lions are still alive for the No. 2 seed.
- If they lose to the Vikings, they’re the No. 3 seed.
- If they beat the Vikings, there’s still a chance for the No. 2 seed.
- Whether or not the Saints are still a possible first-round opponent.
- If the Lions lose to the Vikings or the Saints lose to the Falcons, the Saints are no longer a possible first-round opponent for Detroit.
- If the Lions are the No. 2 seed, the Saints beat the Falcons, the Bears beat the Packers, and the Cardinals beat the Seahawks, then the Lions would host the Saints in the first round.
After the 4:25 p.m. games, you’ll know:
- The Lions’ playoff seed.
- If the Lions win, the Commanders beat the Cowboys, and the Giants beat the Eagles, the Lions are the No. 2 seed.
- If any of the Vikings, Cowboys, or Eagles win, the Lions are the No. 3 seed.
- Whether or not the Seahawks are still a possible first-round opponent.
- If the Lions lose to the Vikings or the Seahawks lose to the Cardinals, the Seahawks are no longer a possible first-round opponent for Detroit.
- If the Lions are the No. 2 seed, the Seahawks beat the Cardinals, and the Bears beat the Packers, then the Lions and Seahawks will meet in the first round.
- Who the Lions’ first-round opponent will be.
- If the Lions are the No. 3 seed and the Rams win or the Packers lose, the Lions will host the Rams.
- If the Lions are the No. 3 seed and both the 49ers and Packers win, the Lions will host the Packers.
- If the Lions are the No. 2 seed, they could play either the Packers, Rams, Seahawks, or Saints.
