With two games remaining in the 2023 regular season, the Detroit Lions hold the best record in the NFC.The three teams – Lions, San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles – have records of 11 wins and 4 losses in 15 games. The 49ers currently hold the tie for the top seed based on their record against NFC opponents.
The49ers fell to 11-4 with a 33-19 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night. As a result, the race for first place in Week 17 was tied. The Dallas Cowboys are still not out of the race and are just one game out of third place at 10-5. The Week 17 matchup between Detroit and Dallas will be a huge one in the playoffs. That’s because the Lions could clinch the top seed with a win or loss against the Eagles and 49ers on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Dallas is one game behind Philadelphia for the NFC East lead, and a win over Detroit puts pressure on the Eagles to win. There is still a way for the Lions to reach the top, but they will need help. A win would guarantee their best chance, and both the 49ers and Eagles would have to drop one of their final two games. Entering Week 17, the 49ers were the No. 1 seed in the NFC, with the Eagles in second and the Lions in third.
NFC South leader Tampa Bay will finish atop the division as the No. 4 seed. The wild-card spots belong to Dallas, the Los Angeles Rams and the Seattle Seahawks, respectively. Detroit can’t finish lower than third.If the Lions secure the No. 2 seed, they could play a second playoff game at Ford Field if Dan Campbell’s team defeats a playoff opponent in the first round.
