Lions’ Playoff Hopes Are Hanging by a Thread - But There’s Still a Pulse
With two weeks left in the regular season, the Detroit Lions are staring down a steep hill. The math isn’t pretty, and the odds aren’t in their favor, but technically, the playoff door hasn’t slammed shut just yet. For that to change, Detroit needs to win out - beating both the Vikings and Bears on the road - and they’ll need some help from the Ravens and Vikings to knock off the Packers.
It’s a long shot. But long shots have hit before. So let’s break down what needs to happen, and why this scenario, however improbable, still has a heartbeat.
Lions at Vikings - Dec. 25, 4:30 p.m. ET
The last time these two teams met, Detroit was flying high at 5-2. They were favored, at home, and looked like a team with legitimate NFC title aspirations.
That day ended with a 27-24 loss to Minnesota - a gut punch that sparked a downhill slide. But as rough as it’s been for the Lions since then, the Vikings are in even worse shape now. They’ve been officially eliminated from postseason contention, and their quarterback situation is in flux.
J.J. McCarthy, who led the Vikings to that earlier win over Detroit with three total touchdowns, has already been ruled out.
That leaves Max Brosmer under center - a QB whose only other start this season featured 126 passing yards and four interceptions. That’s not a typo.
Four picks.
On top of that, the Vikings might be without their top rusher, Jordan Mason, and Aaron Jones is dealing with an injury as well. With Minnesota banged up, out of the playoff picture, and starting a backup quarterback, this is a game the Lions absolutely have to take care of - and should.
There’s also the revenge factor. Detroit remembers that loss - and if Dan Campbell’s team wants to prove it still has some fight left, this is the moment.
Packers vs. Ravens - Dec. 27, 8 p.m. ET
This is where Detroit needs a little help. The Packers are at home against a Ravens team that’s still clinging to its own playoff hopes. But Green Bay is dealing with some key injuries, starting with quarterback Jordan Love, who exited last week’s game with a concussion.
Love’s status is uncertain heading into a short week. If he can’t go, Malik Willis will get the nod. Willis is a talented backup, but he’s not Jordan Love - and against a motivated Ravens team, that could be the difference.
Green Bay is also without Micah Parsons, their elite pass rusher who’s done for the season. That’s a major blow to a defense that’s going to need all the help it can get against a Ravens offense that can score in a hurry when it’s clicking.
Here’s the kicker: the Ravens will still be alive in the AFC playoff race when they take the field Saturday night. The Steelers don’t play until Sunday, so Baltimore will have every reason to go full throttle in Green Bay.
The spread is tight - just 2.5 points - which tells you the oddsmakers see this as a coin flip. And for the Lions, that’s good news. They just need the coin to land their way.
Lions at Bears - Jan. 4, 2025
This one’s a bit trickier. The Bears have been one of the hottest teams in the league in the second half of the season, while the Lions have been trending in the opposite direction. But there’s reason to believe Detroit can pull this off.
For starters, the Lions absolutely dismantled the Bears in their first meeting, 52-21. That wasn’t just a win - it was a statement.
Maybe it’s a matchup thing. Maybe Campbell and his staff have something figured out against Ben Johnson’s system.
Whatever the case, Detroit looked dominant in that game.
More importantly, there’s a scenario where this game might not mean anything for Chicago. If the Bears lose to the 49ers this weekend - a very real possibility - and the Eagles fall to the Bills, then Chicago would be locked into the No. 2 seed in the NFC. That could lead to them resting starters in Week 18.
That would be a massive break for Detroit, who could find themselves facing a Bears team with little incentive to go full speed. And if the Lions can capitalize, they’ll have done their part.
Packers at Vikings - Jan. 4, 2025
This is the wild card - and the part of the equation that feels like the biggest stretch.
Detroit needs the Vikings to beat the Packers in Week 18. The same Vikings team they’ll face this week.
The same team that will still be eliminated from playoff contention. The same team that might still be starting Max Brosmer.
Could McCarthy or the injured running backs return for this one? Possibly.
That would help. But the reality is, Green Bay will likely be playing for a playoff spot, and Minnesota will be playing for pride.
Still, Detroit knows better than anyone that pride can be a powerful motivator. Just look back to the end of the 2022 season, when the Lions - already eliminated - marched into Lambeau and knocked Aaron Rodgers and the Packers out of the playoffs.
Now, Detroit has to hope the Vikings can return the favor.
If the Stars Align…
If all of this falls into place - two Lions wins, two Packers losses - Detroit would slide into the No. 7 seed in the NFC. And if that happens, they’d be heading right back to Chicago for the Wild Card round.
It’s a long shot. But it’s not impossible. And until the math says otherwise, the Lions are still in the hunt.