Up to date Dec. 14, 2025, 6:07 p.m. ET
The Detroit Lions wanted some assist from an AFC rival to enhance their playoff odds earlier than their Week 15 matchup, however they did not get the result they desired.
The Lions (8-5, third in NFC North) are going through off in opposition to the NFC’s top-seeded Los Angeles Rams (10-3, 1st in NFC West) on Sunday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Because the NFC’s No. 8 seed, the Lions entered the day with a 54% likelihood to make the playoffs per NFL Subsequent Gen Stats, however these odds fell with the end in Chicago.
The No. 7-seeded Chicago Bears hosted the Cleveland Browns, and Lions followers had been hoping for a Browns upset to permit the Lions to maneuver right into a playoff place with a win Sunday, since a 9-5 Lions group would personal a tiebreaker over Chicago (due to their Week 2 victory). Nevertheless, the Bears took care of enterprise on a frigid day at Soldier Area, beating the Browns, 31-3, to enhance to 10-4.
With the Bears beating the Browns, the Lions playoff odds have now lowered to 52% forward of their recreation in opposition to the Rams (4:25 p.m., Fox). Here is a take a look at what the remainder of the NFC playoff image seems to be like, together with how a Lions win will help enhance their place.
Lions playoff eventualities
Here is the most recent information on how the Lions could make it into the NFL playoffs, how they may miss out and what their playoff odds are.
What are Lions’ odds to make NFL playoffs?
In response to NFL Subsequent Gen Stats, the Lions have a 52% likelihood of creating the playoffs. In the event that they beat the Rams, they may have a 73% likelihood to make the postseason, however these odds drop to 40% with a loss.
NFC playoff standings
Solely the highest seven groups make the playoffs in every convention. Listed below are the NFC standings as of Sunday at 6 p.m., with playoff odds from NFL Subsequent Gen Stats:
- Rams: 10-3, 97%
- Packers: 9-3-1, 92%
- Eagles: 9-5, 95%
- Panthers: 7-6, 47%
- Seahawks: 10-3, 97%
- Bears, 10-4, 68%
- 49ers: 9-4, 93%
- *Lions: 8-5, 52%
- *Buccaneers: 7-7, 54%
- *Cowboys: 6-6-1, 8%
*At present out of the playoffs
How Lions could make playoffs
The Lions nonetheless management their very own playoff future regardless of at the moment being out of the playoff image because the No. 8 seed. Nevertheless, if the Lions lose any of their 4 remaining regular-season video games, they may want further outcomes to interrupt their method with a purpose to make it to the postseason.
- If the Lions go 4-0 of their remaining regular-season video games and end 12-5, they may make the playoffs irrespective of the result of some other recreation (and have an outdoor shot of grabbing the No. 1 seed within the NFC).
- If the Lions go 3-1 of their ultimate 4 video games and end 11-6, they may nonetheless make the playoffs if the Bears go 1-2 of their ultimate three video games and a type of two losses is to Detroit. An 11-6 Lions group might additionally theoretically overtake the San Francisco 49ers for a wild-card spot, however that might require the 49ers to lose three of 4.
- If the Lions go 2-2 of their ultimate 4 video games and end 10-7, they may have a really troublesome time of creating the playoffs, particularly if a type of losses is to Chicago. In that state of affairs, both the Rams or 49ers would wish to lose all 4 remaining regular-season video games for the Lions to make the playoffs, together with Week 15.
- If the Lions go 1-3 of their ultimate 4 video games and end 9-8, they are going to be eradicated from the playoffs.
- The Lions can be eradicated from playoff competition in the event that they go 0-4, too.
Lions schedule: Subsequent recreation, ultimate stretch
- Week 16, Sunday, Dec. 21: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 4:25 p.m., CBS.
- Week 17, Thursday, Dec. 25: at Minnesota Vikings, 4:30 p.m., Netflix.
- Week 18, Saturday/Sunday, Jan. 3-4: at Chicago Bears, TBD.
Bears schedule: Subsequent recreation, ultimate stretch
- Week 16, Saturday, Dec. 20: vs Inexperienced Bay Packers, 8:20 p.m. ET, Fox.
- Week 17, Sunday, Dec. 28: at San Francisco 49ers, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC.
- Week 18, Saturday/Sunday, Jan. 3-4: vs Detroit Lions, TBD.
When do NFL playoffs begin?
The wild-card spherical is Jan. 10-12.
NFL playoffs schedule
- Wild-card spherical: Jan. 10-12.
- Divisional spherical: Jan. 17-18.
- Convention championships: Jan. 25.
- Tremendous Bowl 60: Feb. 8.
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You possibly can attain Christian at cromo@freepress.com.
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