With a week to rest and rehabilitate, the injury-depleted Detroit Lions saved most of their NFL playoff prep until Tuesday.
The NFC’s top-seeded franchise didn’t have much of a choice.
The Lions’ coaching staff will not know which Wild Card team will face the Lions in the divisional round Jan. 18-19 at Ford Field until late Monday night. The conference’s lowest-seeded team will advance and travel to Detroit.
The four candidates include the No. 4 Los Angeles Rams, No. 5 Minnesota Vikings; No. 6 Washington Commanders and No. 7 Green Bay Packers. The Rams and Packers meet Monday night, while the Commanders visit the No. 3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Packers play at the No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles as part of Sunday’s Wild Card tripleheader.
Here are three of FanDuel Sportsbook’s hypothetical betting odds for the NFL’s divisional-round opponents for the Lions:
Minnesota Vikings
Most likely scenario: The Eagles, Buccaneers and Vikings win.
The Lions (15-2) handled the Vikings, 31-9, during last Sunday’s regular-season finale. The win clinched the conference’s top seed and back-to- back NFC North titles. Twice, the Vikings (14-3) were held scoreless on fourth-down plays within the 5-yard line. The Lions edged the Vikings, 31-29, in Week 7.
Odds
Here is an early look at hypothetical odds if the Minnesota Vikings play at the Detroit Lions in the NFL divisional round, according to FanDuel Sportsbook:
| Vikings vs. Lions |
Odds |
|---|---|
| Spread | Lions -3 |
| Over/Under | 53.5 |
| Moneyline | Lions -168; Vikings +142 |
Green Bay Packers
Most likely scenario: Packers win.
The Lions swept the Packers during the regular season, benefiting from sharp coaching by Dan Campbell during a Week 13 victory, earning a late field goal by Jake Bates in the 34-31 win. During the Week 9 matchup at Lambeau Field, the Lions forged a 24-14 win.
Odds
Here is an early look at hypothetical odds if the Green Bay Packers play at the Detroit Lions in the NFL divisional round, according to FanDuel Sportsbook:
| Packers vs. Lions |
Odds |
|---|---|
| Spread | Lions –4.5 |
| Over/Under | 54.5 |
| Moneyline | Lions -220; Packers +184 |
Los Angeles Rams
Most likely scenario: The Eagles, Buccaneers and Rams win.
This matchup could be a fan favorite. Both teams have benefited from the QB swap in 2021, with Matthew Stafford going to the Rams and Jared Goff getting delivered in Detroit. The Rams won a Super Bowl. The Lions, who beat Spafford in the playoffs last winter, seek their first league championship appearance since 1957. The teams also met in a Week 1 thriller as the Lions established a regular-season tone with an overtime victory.
Odds
Here is an early look at hypothetical odds if the Los Angeles Rams play at the Detroit Lions in the NFL divisional round, according to FanDuel Sportsbook:
| Rams vs. Lions |
Odds |
|---|---|
| Spread | Lions -6.5 |
| Over/Under | 53.5 |
| Moneyline | Lions -300; Rams +250 |
*-All odds current as of Saturday
