**Lions Playoff Picture: Why Third-Place Detroit Should Still Win the NFC North**
*Originally appeared on The Sporting News*
If the NFC playoffs started in Week 12 of the 2025 NFL regular season, the Detroit Lions would be out. Despite their impressive combined 27-7 record over the past two NFC North titles, at 6-4 through Week 11, the Lions still have crucial work ahead to secure a third straight postseason trip.
Following Detroit’s tough 16-9 loss at the reigning Super Bowl champion and current NFC top seed Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night, let’s take a closer look at where the Lions stand in the NFC playoff picture.
### Lions’ Current Playoff Picture
The Lions began Week 11 holding first place in the NFC North and the No. 3 seed in the NFC. However, after recent developments with the Chicago Bears, Detroit’s path to the playoffs is less straightforward but far from impossible.
The Lions’ remaining schedule provides some optimism. Their final home opponent is the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 16. Additionally, Detroit won’t face another outdoor game until Week 18 in Chicago. Their other road games include contests against the dome-based Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams.
Outside of a tough “revenge game” against the Rams—featuring former Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford—the Lions are favored in at least five of their final seven games. This favorable outlook gives Detroit a strong opportunity to match their 12-5 record from last season or, at worst, finish 11-6.
In contrast, the Bears face three challenging road games at Philadelphia, Green Bay, and San Francisco, along with home matchups against the Packers and Steelers. The Packers will have road rematches against the Lions and travel to Denver, while hosting the Baltimore Ravens. With Chicago, Green Bay, and Minnesota all facing one another, a round-robin battle is inevitable.
Given this front-loaded schedule for contenders and minimal separation in the division standings, the Lions now have a navigational advantage heading into a much more favorable finish.
Detroit’s losses so far have come at the hands of the Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Vikings, and Eagles. Three of these defeats occurred in tough road environments against formidable defenses. On the flip side, Detroit’s explosive offense tends to dominate lesser teams, which plays to their advantage down the stretch.
Notably, the Bears have avoided any major clunkers, while the Packers have stumbled in some unexpected games (against Carolina and Cleveland). But don’t be fooled by Detroit’s current position—they are still very much in control of their destiny.
With just five more wins, the Lions should be able to capture another division title. In fact, they still hold better than a 75 percent chance to win the NFC North.
### Lions’ NFC Wild-Card Chances
If the Lions fall short in the division race, the first-place Bears are more likely to take the NFC North crown over the Packers.
In that scenario, Detroit could secure a wild-card spot with an 11-6 record. Teams like the Seattle Seahawks, Packers, and San Francisco 49ers all have vulnerabilities that Detroit could exploit to leapfrog them in the standings.
At worst, the Lions will not miss the playoffs — they would earn the No. 7 seed and set up a high-stakes rematch against either the top-seeded Eagles or the Rams.
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The Detroit Lions may currently sit in third place, but their playoff outlook remains bright. With a favorable final schedule and their proven ability to win crucial games, Detroit should still be considered a leading contender to win the NFC North and make a deep postseason run.
https://sports.yahoo.com/article/lions-playoff-picture-why-third-060728372.html
