Lions playoff image: How loss to Vikings impacts NFC wild-card race,…

Lions playoff image: How loss to Vikings impacts NFC wild-card race,…

Lions playoff image: How loss to Vikings impacts NFC wild-card race, Detroit’s postseason possibilities initially appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking right here.

The Detroit Lions had a dream common season in 2024, going 15-2 and incomes the top seed in the playoffs, however the 2025 season hasn’t been as easy.

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Detroit entered Week 17 on the brink of playoff elimination, as the Lions’ inconsistent play has saved them out of the playoff image. What hasn’t helped is that the Lions appear to be playing their worst in December, as they’ve now misplaced three-straight games.

Most not too long ago, the Minnesota Vikings upset the Lions on Christmas Day in a game that Detroit desperately wanted to win. The result is a pleasant boon for the already-eliminated Vikings, and can only assist the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers of their playoff positioning.

Here’s how the NFC playoff image seems to be after the Christmas Day outcomes.

MORE WEEK 17 NFL:

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Are Lions out of the playoffs?

With the loss to the Vikings on Thursday, the Lions are formally eradicated from playoff rivalry. Detroit want to win each of its remaining games and have the Packers lose each of their final two games so as to surpass Green Bay.

Lions playoff image

The Lions have now misplaced three-straight games to knock themselves out of the postseason image. Detroit started the season 4-1, and had been at one point 8-5, however accidents and lack of execution finally did them in.

It actually would not assist that the NFC is a tricky convention this 12 months. Maybe in past years, an 8-8 Lions team may still fight for the playoffs in Week 18, however three NFC West groups have 4 losses or less to make the Wild Card that a lot more durable.

Rank

Team

Record

1.

Seattle Seahawks

12-3

2.

Chicago Bears

11-4

3.

Philadelphia Eagles

10-5

4.

Carolina Panthers

8-7

5.

San Francisco 49ers

11-4

6.

Los Angeles Rams

11-4

7.

Green Bay Packers

9-5-1

8.

Minnesota Vikings

8-8

9.

Detroit Lions

8-8

10.

Dallas Cowboys

7-8-1

11.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

7-8

12.

Atlanta Falcons

6-9

13.

New Orleans Saints

5-10

14.

Washington Commanders

4-12

15.

Arizona Cardinals

3-12

16.

New York Giants

2-13

NFC wild-card standings

With the Christmas Day outcomes, six of the seven NFC groups have now clinched a playoff spot, with the only remaining opening coming down to the NFC South division winner.

Rank

Team

Record

1.

Seattle Seahawks

12-3

2.

Chicago Bears

11-4

3.

Philadelphia Eagles

10-5

4.

Carolina Panthers

8-7

5.

San Francisco 49ers

11-4

6.

Los Angeles Rams

11-4

7.

Green Bay Packers

9-5-1

If the season ended with these standings, the first-round matchups could be:

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Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Los Angeles Rams

Carolina Panthers vs. San Francisco 49ers

NFC North standings

Not only does the loss on Thursday hold the Lions out of the playoffs, it also places Detroit in last place in the NFC North. The Vikings, who swept the season collection against Detroit, overtakes the Lions as the third place team with one week left.

Meanwhile, the Bears are on the brink of profitable the division, while the Lions loss clinches a playoff spot for the Packers.

Rank

Team

Record

1.

Chicago Bears

11-4

2.

Green Bay Packers

9-5-1

3.

Minnesota Vikings

8-8

4.

Detroit Lions

8-8

Lions schedule

The Lions will end the season on the highway in Chicago, the place the Bears could also be playing for the division title, or could also be resting their starters to put together for the playoffs.

Date

Opponent

Time

TV Channel

TBD

@ Bears

TBD

TBD

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