Sunday’s result at Ford Field was a gut punch for Detroit and for Lions fans everywhere. Facing an uphill climb to the playoffs heading into Sunday’s Week 16 date versus the Pittsburgh Steelers, those odds are even more dire coming out.
The Lions lost the ability to control their own destiny after the Chicago Bears downed the Green Bay Packers in improbable fashion on Saturday night from Soldier Field, 22-16, in overtime.
Now, after the Lions lost 29-24 against the Steelers, there’s only one pathway into the playoffs for Detroit.
Lions’ lone scenario to clinch an NFC wild card berth
It’s down to this:
Lions win their final two games to finish 10-7.Packers lose their final two games to finish 9-7-1. A win or tie would clinch a playoff berth for the Packers.Remaining schedules for Lions, Packers
Detroit Lions: at Minnesota on Dec. 25, at Chicago on Jan. 3 or Jan. 4
Green Bay Packers: vs. Baltimore on Dec. 27, at Minnesota on Jan. 3 or Jan. 4
49ers, Bears clinched playoff berths with Lions’ loss
Both in the NFC North and across the NFC, a pair of teams were celebrating the Lions’ loss to the Steelers. Detroit’s loss to Pittsburgh clinched playoff berths for both the Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers.
Interestingly enough, those two teams square off against one another in Week 17 from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. It will be a massive game in the NFC race, too. Both the 49ers and Bears could still capture the NFC’s No. 1 seed and a first-round bye.
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