DETROIT – We’ve officially reached the midway point of the NFL season, and the Detroit Lions are right in the thick of the playoff race.
Dan Campbell took over play-calling duties after the loss to the Vikings, and the Lions offense immediately looked like its old self. Sure, the Commanders are in a bad place, but it was still good to see Detroit get back on track.
So now, heading into the second half of the 18-week regular season, here’s where the Lions stand in the playoff race.
NFC North Division race
The Packers have that irritating tie that makes the NFC North Division race a little messy. But all four teams have had their bye week, so at least they’re on level ground in terms of games played.
Right now, the Lions are tied with the Bears at 6-3, while the Packers are a half-game back at 5-3-1.
The Vikings are in last place, two games behind the Lions and Bears, at 4-5.
Since the Lions won their first meeting against the Bears, they technically own first place due to the head-to-head tiebreaker. That rematch in Chicago on Week 18 could be very important for division and playoff implications.
NFC playoff seeding
The Lions went 15-2 and got the No. 1 seed last season and it didn’t do them any good. So I’m not sure how much fans care about the conference seeding as long as the Lions get in.
But currently, Detroit is just one game shy of the best record in the NFC — behind the Eagles, Seahawks, and Rams, who are all 7-2.
Also in the running, along with the Packers and Bears, are the Buccaneers at 6-3 and the 49ers at 6-4.
It feels like the seven playoff teams are likely to come from that group of eight.
Eagles (7-2)
Seahawks (7-2)
Rams (7-2)
Lions (6-3)
Buccaneers (6-3)
Bears (6-3)
Packers (5-3-1)
49ers (6-4)
So in terms of making the playoffs, the Lions are in a pretty good spot. Where will they land on the seed list? The next month will go a long way in deciding that.
The Lions play in Philadelphia this weekend, on Sunday Night Football (watch on Local 4!). For Thanksgiving, the Lions host the Packers. Then, on Dec. 14, they go out west to battle the Rams.
Back-to-back road games in Minnesota and Chicago to end the season won’t be easy, but the Lions’ playoff fate will likely be determined by how they do in those three games: Eagles, Packers, Rams.
Tiebreakers
The Lions don’t have to worry about the Packers when it comes to tiebreakers. Since the Packers have a tie, it’s very unlikely the two teams will finish with the same record.
But if the Bears or Vikings can make a run at the division, it’ll hurt the Lions’ chances that they’ve already dropped two divisional games.
The first division tiebreaker after head-to-head is record against divisional opponents. So that home loss to the Vikings could loom large in a tiebreaker situation.
The Lions own the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Buccaneers, which could come in handy. Those Eagles and Rams games could also factor into seeding conversations.
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