DETROIT – How soon can the Detroit Lions officially clinch a playoff spot, and what needs to happen?
Nobody is worried about whether or not the Lions are going to make the postseason. We all know it’ll happen. But I was curious how soon they could wrap this thing up.
Turns out: very soon.
How Lions can clinch this weekend
The Lions are 10-1 and have the best record in the NFC. The race for the No. 1 seed is still very much up in the air, but a playoff spot could be locked up in just a few days.
Here’s how the Lions could lock up a playoff spot this weekend:
- Lions beat Bears on Thanksgiving Day.
- Vikings beat Cardinals on Sunday afternoon.
- Jets beat Seahawks on Sunday afternoon.
- Panthers beat Buccaneers on Sunday evening OR Chargers beat Falcons AND Titans beat Commanders on Sunday afternoon.
- Bills beat 49ers on Sunday Night Football.
There are also some scenarios involving ties that would lock the Lions into a playoff spot.
Races that matter
Like I said, nobody is paying much attention to the Lions clinching a playoff spot because it’s inevitable. But the two races that actually matter are both very much up in the air.
The Lions' first priority is to win the NFC North again and lock up at least two home playoff games. The winners of the North and East divisions will get the top two seeds in the conference, so the division title is crucial.
Despite their nine-game winning streak, the Lions have very little breathing room. The Vikings (9-2) are 4-0 in November and just one game behind the Lions in the standings, while the Packers (8-3) are two games back.
The Eagles are the only non-North contender for the No. 1 seed, and they’re currently one game behind the Lions, at 9-2.
So while the Lions sure look like the best team in the NFL, their work is far from done.
