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.
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
