Here’s an updated look at the NFL playoff picture. By Jeremy Reisman@DetroitOnLion Dec 25, 2023 11:33 pm EST 65 comments / 65 new Share this story Share this on Facebook (opens in a new window) Share this on Twitter (opens in a new window) ICE All sharing options Syndicate: Detroit Free Press Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK It was quite the holiday weekend for the Detroit Lions. On Sunday, they beat the Minnesota Vikings for their first division title in 30 years.
And at the end of Christmas Day, the path suddenly opened for them to earn the first overall seed of the conference. Thanks to the destruction of the San Francisco 49ers by the Baltimore Ravens, suddenly three teams, including the Lions, are tied for the best record in the conference (11-4) through 15 games.
The best stories 00:26 00:36 Dan Campbell Called His Shot Tiger Woods TaylorMade LPGA PGA TourNFL: Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles ChargersNFL: New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles RamsThe Masters Connor Bedard defies physics with a jaw-dropping goal The Masters holiday promotion offers something exciting for golf lovers Now that all the Week 16 results are in the books, let’s take a look at the NFC playoff picture. NFC Playoff Snapshot (Through Week 16) x = distribution achieved y = won a place in the finals Heads of departments: 49ers: 11-4 – x Eagles: 11-4 y.o Lions: 11-4 – x Pirates: 8-7 Wild Card Tournament (top three advance) Cowboys: 10-5 Aries: 8-7 Seahawks: 8-7 Vikings: 7-8 Falcons: 7-8 Packers: 7-8 Saints: 7-8 Thanks to an impressive conference record (9-1), the 49ers currently have a playoff spot ahead of both the Eagles and Lions. Both Philly and Detroit are 7-3 in the conference.
The only way either of these teams can make the playoffs is if they finish with a better record than the 49ers. overlay-clevercloseLogo Philly gains a temporary lead over the Lions on the strength of victory – the fourth semifinal. But it’s basically irrelevant because the other breakers change based on the last two weeks.
What needs to happen for the Lions to earn the #1 seed? Two things: Lions won (Cowboys vs. Vikings) 49ers lose or tie one more game (Commanders vs. rams) If the Lions win, it won’t matter what the Eagles do in the final two games, because Detroit would beat Philly by a combined game record (thanks to the Cowboys’ theoretical win). Can the 49ers go 1-1 in their last two games? A loss to the 4-11 Commanders next week seems unlikely. Washington has lost six straight and eight of its last nine.
But that Finals against a Los Angeles Rams team probably fighting for its life? It can easily be damaged. And what better way for the Lions to win the best than with a little help from Matthew Stafford? SB NATION latest VIDEO The Dolphins-Cowboys Thanksgiving (1993) is worth rewinding Of course, for that to happen, the Lions need to get some big wins.
Detroit is almost a constant for the Cowboys this week, so it won’t be an easy task. But if they survive the shock… A precautionary measure
Leave a Reply