DETROIT – The Detroit Lions still did not clinch a playoff spot on Thursday night, but they have nine more chances before the end of the season.
Detroit would have secured its first postseason appearance in seven years if the New Orleans Saints had defeated the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football. But the Rams had no trouble at home, coasting to a 30-22 victory.
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At 10-4, the Lions are in a position where any victory clinches the NFC North, and any loss by the Rams or Seattle Seahawks guarantees them at least a wildcard spot.
The Seahawks beat the Eagles to delay the Lions’ celebration on Monday, and now the Rams have done the same.
But Detroit still has nine more opportunities to secure a playoff spot, starting with its own game this weekend.
Here’s every remaining outcome that could put the Lions in the postseason:
- Lions beat Vikings -- 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24.
- Titans beat Seahawks -- 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24.
- Lions beat Cowboys -- 8:15 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30.
- Giants beat Rams -- 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31.
- Steelers beat Seahawks -- 4:05 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31.
- Packers beat Vikings -- 8:20 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31
- Lions beat Vikings -- Sunday, Jan. 7 (time TBD).
- Cardinals beat Seahawks -- Sunday, Jan. 7 (time TBD).
- 49ers beat Rams -- Sunday, Jan. 7 (time TBD).
Any of the three Lions wins on this list -- or a Packers win over the Vikings -- would lock up the NFC North for Detroit. A tie in any of these nine games would also do the trick (in terms of clinching either a wildcard spot or the division).
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Right now, the Lions are the No. 3 seed in the NFC, but they control their own destiny in terms of moving up to No. 2. If the Lions finish 3-0, they will secure the No. 2 seed (as long as the 49ers don’t lose two or three of their final three games), and if they finish 2-1 or 1-2, they will likely be No. 3.