The Lions keep stacking wins, but the playoff board still isn’t bending their way.
Detroit sits at 6-2 after running off four straight victories, and that’s good enough to keep the team in the thick of the NFC race. The problem is that the Lions are still parked at third in the NFC North and holding the six seed in the conference playoff picture through Week 9, with “Monday Night Football” still to come.
That’s the frustrating part for Detroit: the record looks strong, the divisional mark is clean at 2-0, and the Lions are tied for the best conference record among NFC teams at 4-1. But the standings haven’t opened up for them yet. The good news is that if they keep winning, the path is still there.
Sunday didn’t do Detroit many favors. The Bears and Packers both won, and both did it in convincing fashion.
Green Bay rolled past a Patriots team that had been gaining steam as a potential AFC Super Bowl contender, putting up 45 points and 478 yards while forcing three interceptions and collecting four sacks. Chicago, meanwhile, got out fast against the Buccaneers on Sunday night.
Caleb Williams threw four interceptions, which kept Tampa Bay hanging around, but his two-minute drill was enough to close the door for the Bears.
That leaves the NFC North looking crowded at the top and the wild-card race just as tight.
The current NFC division leaders are the 49ers at 7-1, the Vikings at 6-1, the Giants at 5-2-1 and the Panthers at 3-5. In the wild-card slots, the Bears are fifth at 7-2, the Lions sixth at 6-2 and the Packers seventh at 6-3. The Seahawks and Rams are right behind them at 5-4, followed by the Cowboys at 4-5.
Below that, the Saints are 3-5, the Buccaneers, Falcons and Cardinals are all 3-6, the Commanders are 2-5-1 and the Eagles are 2-7.
The annoying part for Detroit is that the rest of the conference mostly cooperated with the standings. Every NFC team seeded from 1 through 11 won this week except the Panthers, who lost to the Broncos, and the Vikings, who have not played yet. So the Lions didn’t gain ground, and they also didn’t create much separation from the teams chasing them.
Detroit still has a 1.5-game cushion over the Seahawks and Rams, but that’s not exactly a comfortable place to be when the record is this good. It’s a little like the Bengals in the AFC, who are also sitting at 6-2 and holding the six seed.
There is still a chance for the Lions to move up after Monday night. If the Vikings lose, Detroit would rise to the five seed. In that scenario, the Bears would move up to the two seed and Minnesota would fall to the six seed.
For now, the Lions are winning, but waiting on everyone else to cooperate.
In Other News...
Lions Suddenly Have A Left Guard Problem Dan Campbell Didn't Settle
Christian Mahoganys sudden seat on the bench created a new wrinkle for Detroit at left guard, even if the door to reclaiming the job is still open. Dan Campbell confirmed Mahogany sat out a game because of a violation of team rules, and Miles Frazier stepped in to start in his place, giving the Lions a quick look at a different option on the interior line.
Campbells update leaves the position in a state of uncertainty heading into the matchup with the New England Patriots, especially with the rest of the roster still being monitored. He also said it is unclear whether cornerback D.J. Reed and defensive end DJ Wonnum will be available, so Detroit could be sorting through more than one availability question as it tries to settle the left side of the line. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Suddenly Have Real Hope In Jack Campbell Situation
Jack Campbells injury sent a jolt through the Lions last week, and the immediate concern was bigger than football. The linebacker was placed on injured reserve after suffering a serious neck injury against the Vikings, which means he has to miss at least four games, and teammates have been openly emotional in the aftermath. Jared Goff was among those reflecting on how the team handled the moment, a reminder of how quickly a routine division game turned into something far more sobering.
There is at least a sliver of encouraging news now, though, and it has given the building a reason to breathe a little easier. NFL reporter Mike Silver has indicated there is cautious optimism about Campbell possibly returning this season, based on the progress he has made since the injury. For a defense that has leaned on Campbells presence, the idea of getting him back at some point would be a meaningful lift, even if the timeline remains very much up in the air. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Still Waiting On Kerby Joseph As Secondary Decision Looms
Kerby Josephs return remains on hold as Detroit heads to Germany for its next game, with Dan Campbell confirming the safety will not be available while he continues to recover from a knee cartilage condition. Joseph is still on the physically unable to perform list, leaving the Lions to manage their secondary without one of their top defensive backs as the trip overseas approaches.
The timing only adds to the pressure on the roster decision ahead, because Detroit has until next week to decide whether to activate Joseph to the 53-man roster or leave him on PUP for the rest of the season. The Lions have already added Andre Cisco for depth at safety, a move that helps cover the position in the short term while the bigger question around Josephs status still hangs over the defense. [Read more 🡒]