Can the Lions Claw Their Way Into the Playoffs? A Closer Look at Detroit’s Postseason Push
After two seasons of promising progress, the Detroit Lions find themselves in unfamiliar territory - back in the thick of a playoff chase, but not quite in control of their own destiny. What once looked like a team on the rise now feels more like a team trying to rediscover its footing. And the reasons are both structural and situational.
Let’s start with what’s been missing: the coordinators. Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn didn’t just hold titles - they were architects of the Lions’ identity on both sides of the ball.
Johnson, in particular, was the engine behind an offense that had become one of the most creative and efficient in the league. Without him, Detroit’s attack has lost its rhythm.
It’s not just that the plays aren’t working - it’s that the offense doesn’t seem to know what it wants to be.
That uncertainty forced head coach Dan Campbell to take matters into his own hands. With offensive coordinator John Morton unable to spark the unit, Campbell stepped in to call plays himself - a bold move that speaks to both the urgency and the instability of the situation.
Still, there’s fight in this team. The Lions’ Week 14 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday Night Football was more than just a morale boost - it was a lifeline. And now comes a pivotal test: a road trip to Los Angeles to face the Rams and a familiar face in Matthew Stafford.
So, with three games to go, where do the Lions stand in the playoff picture - and what needs to happen for Detroit to punch its ticket to the postseason?
Detroit’s Path to the Playoffs: Wild Card or Bust
Let’s be clear: the NFC North crown is still technically in play, but the odds aren’t in Detroit’s favor. The Lions’ best shot at making the playoffs is through the Wild Card, and even that path is lined with obstacles.
According to Next Gen Stats, Detroit currently has a 55% chance of reaching the postseason. A win in Week 15 would bump that number up to 75%, but a loss to the Rams would drop it to just 45%. That’s the razor-thin margin this team is working with.
Right now, the Lions sit in the No. 8 spot in the NFC - just outside the playoff bubble. The Chicago Bears, at 9-4, hold the No. 7 seed, with Detroit trailing just one game behind at 8-5. That Week 14 win kept them in striking distance, but the pressure is on to keep stacking victories.
Here’s a snapshot of the NFC playoff standings heading into Week 15:
NFC Playoff Picture (Top 8): 1.
Los Angeles Rams (10-3)
2.
Green Bay Packers (9-3-1)
3.
Philadelphia Eagles (8-5)
4.
Carolina Panthers (7-6)
5.
Seattle Seahawks (10-3)
6.
San Francisco 49ers (9-4)
7.
Chicago Bears (9-4)
8.
Detroit Lions (8-5)
The Lions are in the mix, but there’s no margin for error. One slip, and they could find themselves leapfrogged by teams like the Buccaneers or Cowboys, both of whom are still hanging around in the hunt.
NFC North: A Long Shot, But Not Out of Reach
While the Wild Card is the most realistic route, the division isn’t completely out of the question - at least not yet. But the Lions would need help.
They’d have to win out and hope for a stumble or two from the Packers and Bears down the stretch. It’s a scenario that’s possible, but not probable.
That said, stranger things have happened in December football. All Detroit can do is take care of its own business and see how the rest shakes out.
The Road Ahead: Three Games, Three Tests
The final stretch of the season won’t be easy, but every game is an opportunity. Here’s who Detroit has left on the schedule:
- Week 15: at Los Angeles Rams
- **Week 16: vs.
Pittsburgh Steelers**
- Week 17: at Chicago Bears
That last game could be the one that decides it all. A head-to-head with the Bears, potentially with a playoff spot on the line? That’s the kind of drama December football is built for.
But first, they’ll need to get past the Rams - and that’s no small task. Stafford has been sharp, and L.A. is playing like a team with Super Bowl aspirations. If Detroit can pull off a win on the road, it could be the momentum swing they’ve been searching for since the midseason slump.
Bottom Line
The Lions are still in the fight - bruised, maybe, but not broken. The loss of their coordinators has clearly disrupted the rhythm, and the offense hasn’t looked the same without Ben Johnson’s fingerprints all over the playbook. But with Dan Campbell stepping in and the team showing signs of life, there’s still a path forward.
It’s not the easy road. It’s not the one they probably envisioned back in September. But it’s a road that leads to January - and for a franchise that’s been building toward something bigger, that’s still a road worth traveling.