Every possible Wild Card opponent, scenario for Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions are headed for the playoffs, and they’ll be hosting a Wild Card matchup in Ford Field for the first time in team history.

Statistically speaking, they are almost certainly going to be the NFC’s three seed, which means either facing the Los Angeles Rams or Green Bay Packers in the opening round. But the NFL is unpredictable, and weird things happen in Week 18.

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In total, there are five different teams the Lions can still face in the Wild Card round of the 2024 playoffs. So let’s go over every possible scenario and every possible Detroit Lions playoff opponent.

First, let’s start with the more unlikely scenario: the Lions earning the NFC’s two seed.

[Editor’s note: Tie scenarios were not included with an exception for one—because it’s the only way the Lions would face the Buccaneers].

How the Lions can earn the NFC 2 seed

Detroit needs all three of these outcomes to happen.

Lions beat Vikings AND

Commanders beat Cowboys AND

Giants beat Eagles

If this happens, the Lions can face FIVE different opponents. Here are all of those scenarios:

Opponent 1: Rams

Lions earn NFC 2 seed

49ers beat Rams

Packers beat Bears

Opponent 2: Packers

1.

Lions earn NFC 2 seed

Rams beat 49ers

Packers beat Bears

OR

2.

Lions earn NFC 2 seed

Cardinals beat Seahawks

Panthers beat Buccaneers or Falcons beat Saints

Rams beat 49ers or Bears beat Packers

Opponent 3: Seahawks:

Lions earn NFC 2 seed

Seahawks beat Cardinals

Bears beat Packers

Opponent 4: Saints:

Lions earn NFC 2 seed

Saints beat Falcons

Cardinals beat Seahawks

Bears beat Packers

Buccaneers beat Panthers

Opponent 5: Buccaneers:

Lions earn NFC 2 seed

Buccaneers tie Panthers

Cardinals beat Seahawks

Bears beat Packers

Saints beat Falcons

There are three different ways the Lions will finish with the three seed, they are:

How the Lions can earn the NFC 3 seed

Vikings beat Lions OR

Cowboys beat Commanders OR

Eagles beat Giants

In this scenario, the Lions can only face the Packers or Rams. Here are those scenarios:

Rams:

1.

Lions earn NFC 3 seed

Rams beat 49ers

OR

2.

Lions earn NFC 3 seed

Bears beat Packers

Packers if:

Lions earn NFC 3 seed

49ers beat Rams

Packers beat Bears