Detroit’s recent run of wins put the Lions in position to secure a playoff berth. Saturday’s humbling 37-23 loss in Carolina definitely provided a big hit to that postseason potential, but the Lions aren’t dead yet.
None of the paths to the postseason matter if the Lions don’t win their final two games, at home against Chicago and then Week 18 at Green Bay. There is a mathematical technicality where the Lions could get in by winning just one of those, but that contrivance seems quite unlikely.
After Saturday’s action, the Lions are 7-8. So are the Seattle Seahawks, who lost 24-10 to the Chiefs, Seattle’s fifth loss in six games. Those two teams are looking up at both Washington and the New York Giants, who hold the No. 6 and No. 7 seeds (the top seven get in) in the NFC.
New York lost to Minnesota when Vikings kicker Greg Joseph nailed a 61-yard field goal as time expired. The Giants are now 8-6-1. Washington is 7-7-1 after losing to the San Francisco 49ers.
Somehow, Detroit has to wind up with more wins than two of those three teams. The Lions do not have the tiebreaker with the Seahawks thanks to the 48-45 win by Seattle back in Week 3.
Remaining schedules, with records through Saturday:
Detroit – Bears (3-12), at Packers (6-8)
Seattle – Jets (7-8), Rams (4-10)
New York – Colts (4-9-1), at Eagles
Washington – Browns (6-9), Cowboys
There are combinations where Detroit can win both of its remaining games and still miss the postseason, too. Remember, the Lions have to pass two of those three teams in the win column.
