Where NFC playoff picture stands as Lions enter bye week at 6-2

Lions in No. 2 spot in conference

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell addresses the media after the NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Monday, Oct. 30, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) (Paul Sancya, Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

The Lions notched a big primetime win on Monday in Detroit, sending them to their bye week at 6-2.

Where does that leave them with the current NFC playoff picture?

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Here are the current NFC playoff standings (As of Oct. 31, 2023):

  1. Philadelphia Eagles: 7-1
  2. Detroit Lions: 6-2
  3. Seattle Seahawks: 5-2
  4. Atlanta Falcons: 4-4
  5. Wild card: Dallas Cowboys: 5-2
  6. Wild card: San Francisco 49ers: 5-3
  7. Wild card: Minnesota Vikings: 4-4

As you can see, the Lions are in the No. 2 spot right now, leading the NFC North. If the playoffs started today, Detroit would be hosting a playoff game vs. the Vikings.

This playoff picture is obviously going to change a lot. Seattle owns a tiebreaker vs. Detroit after beating them in Week 2, which will end up being a factor down the line.

The Lions also have a big game vs. Dallas in primetime in Week 17, which could be a big one for playoff positioning.

The Vikings likely won’t keep that Wild Card spot after losing quarterback Kirk Cousins for the season.

The 49ers and Seahawks will probably go back and forth in that division until the last game.

Either way, the Lions enter the bye week in great position to not only make the playoffs, but to host a home playoff game, which would be a fun time in Detroit.

The Lions return from the bye on the road to play the 3-4 Los Angeles Chargers. Detroit has the fourth easiest remaining schedule by win percentage.

---> How’re you feeling, Lions fans? Take our bye week fan survey


About the Author

Ken Haddad has proudly been with WDIV/ClickOnDetroit since 2013. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters, and helps lead the WDIV Insider team. He's a big sports fan and is constantly sipping Lions Kool-Aid.

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