Detroit Lions Week 14 Rooting Guide: Who to Cheer For as the Playoff Race Heats Up
As the Detroit Lions gear up for a high-stakes Thursday Night Football showdown with the surging Dallas Cowboys, the stakes couldn’t be much higher. Just a season removed from a 15-win campaign and the NFC’s top seed, Detroit now finds itself outside the playoff picture - and running out of time.
With injuries piling up and a brutal December schedule ahead, the Lions are in must-win territory. But their path back into the postseason isn’t entirely in their hands. They’ll need help - and Week 14 offers a handful of games that could shift the NFC landscape in Detroit’s favor.
Let’s break down the matchups that matter most for the Lions this weekend, and who Detroit fans should be pulling for to help keep those playoff hopes alive.
First, a Quick Refresher on NFL Tiebreakers
When it comes to separating teams with identical records, here’s how the NFL breaks ties:
- Head-to-head record
- Division record
- Record in common games
- Conference record
- Strength of victory
- Strength of schedule
With that in mind, here’s your Lions-centric rooting guide for Week 14.
1. Chicago Bears (9-3) at Green Bay Packers (8-3-1)
Root For: Packers
Yes, it might feel strange to root for the Packers - but this is one of those rare weeks where it makes sense. Detroit owns a head-to-head win over the Bears, but Green Bay swept the Lions this season. If the Packers take this one, they’ll leapfrog back into first place in the NFC North, while pushing the Bears closer to Detroit in the standings.
That opens the door for the Lions to potentially leapfrog Chicago via tiebreakers, especially if they can stack some wins down the stretch. It’s a strange twist, but in this case, a Packers win helps Detroit more than it hurts.
2. New Orleans Saints (2-10) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5)
Root For: Saints
The Bucs are still in the thick of the NFC South race, but they’re also very much in the Wild Card mix - and that’s where Detroit’s interests lie. A Tampa Bay loss to a struggling Saints team would be a gift for the Lions, potentially knocking the Bucs back a step in the Wild Card chase.
It’ll take a big performance from rookie quarterback Tyler Shough and a Saints team that’s had a rough year, but if they can pull off the upset, it could have major playoff implications for Detroit.
3. Seattle Seahawks (9-3) at Atlanta Falcons (4-8)
Root For: Falcons
Seattle’s been one of the NFC’s most consistent teams this season, and they’re likely headed for either a division crown or a top Wild Card spot. But nothing is guaranteed in December, and a loss to Atlanta could shake things up.
The Falcons have struggled offensively, but their defense is capable of causing problems - especially for a Seahawks team led by Sam Darnold. If Atlanta can force a few turnovers and steal this one, it could open a crack in the NFC playoff door for Detroit to slip through.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (8-4) at Los Angeles Chargers (8-4)
Root For: Chargers
This one has more to do with long-term positioning than immediate tiebreakers. The Lions lost head-to-head to the Eagles earlier this season, so every Philadelphia loss helps take some of the sting out of that matchup.
If the Cowboys beat Detroit on Thursday and the Eagles fall to the Chargers, Philly could be in danger of losing their grip on the NFC East. That would send them tumbling into the Wild Card mix, where Detroit could potentially gain ground - or even pass them - with a strong finish.
Bottom Line
The Lions have work to do, no question. But Week 14 offers a few key opportunities to gain ground - even if it means relying on some unlikely allies.
Beating the Cowboys on Thursday would be a huge step forward. But regardless of how that game plays out, Detroit fans should keep a close eye on these other matchups. A few favorable results could tighten the playoff picture and keep the Lions’ postseason dreams very much alive.
So this weekend, don’t be afraid to cheer for the Packers, root for the Saints, hope for a Falcons upset, and pull for the Chargers. In a crowded NFC race, every outcome matters - and for Detroit, the margin for error is razor-thin.