Here are all the outcomes for Week 11 you should be rooting for to improve the Detroit Lions’ odds for the No. 1 seed.
This week’s Detroit Lions rooting guide is a little shorter than normal. Two NFC contenders already played this week with the Philadelphia Eagles taking down the Washington Commanders. That result was pretty much a push for the Lions’ chances at the No. 1 seed, although one playoff odds model said it helped Detroit’s odds by a smidge. With those two teams already in the books for Week 11—plus with the Cardinals and Buccaneers on their bye week—here’s a shortened version of our rooting guide.
Take a look:
Packers (6-3) at Bears (4-5) — 1 p.m. ET — FOX
Root for: Bears
The Bears look like they’re on life support after a pathetic showing against the Patriots that got their offensive coordinator fired. Maybe they get an interim OC bump, and that would be nice since the Packers are still very much a threat in the NFC North. A Bears win would also prove that the Lions Hangover can survive a bye week.
Vikings (7-2) at Titans (2-7) — 1 p.m. ET — CBS
Root for: Titans
This seems unlikely, but the Vikings nearly lost to a 2-7 Jaguars team last week. Minnesota remains the most dangerous team in the division, so a third loss would be huge for the Lions’ chances at the division.
Rams (4-5) at Patriots (3-7) — 1 p.m. ET — FOX
Root for: Patriots
The Lions essentially have a five-game lead on the Rams, so this game doesn’t matter all that much. And with Los Angeles dropping a must-win game last week against the Dolphins, there’s not much hope for them anyways, even if they pick up a win this week.
Falcons (6-4) at Broncos (5-5) — 4:05 p.m. ET — FOX
Root for: Broncos
AFC over NFC, as always. Atlanta hasn’t looked very impressive as of late, but in a poor NFC South, they are the clear favorite, having swept the Buccaneers. I don’t think Atlanta is a legitimate threat to the No. 1 seed, but a loss would pretty much cement that.
Seahawks (4-5) at 49ers (5-4) — 4:05 p.m. ET — FOX
Root for: Seahawks
The 49ers seem like a sneaky-dangerous team now that they’re getting healthy. They’ve got a long ways to go to climb to the top of the NFC, but they’ve won three of their last four games, and they’ll have a chance to take down some top NFC teams with the Packers, Lions, and Cardinals still on the schedule.
Considering Detroit has the tiebreaker over Seattle, a Seahawks win is relatively harmless for the Lions.
NFC playoff standings if results go Detroit’s way + Lions win
NFC North:
- Lions: 9-1
- Vikings: 7-3
- Packers: 6-4
- Bears: 5-5
Detroit would have a commanding lead should the Vikings and Packers lose. A two-game lead (plus tiebreaker) on Minnesota, and a three-game lead (plus tiebreaker) on Green Bay. Couldn’t ask for much better than that within a division where everyone would theoretically be .500 or better.
NFC standings:
- Lions: 9-1
- Eagles: 8-2
- Cardinals: 6-4
- Falcons: 6-5
Wild Card race (top three advance)
5. Vikings: 7-3
6. Commanders: 7-4
7. Packers: 6-4
t-8. Seahawks: 5-5
t-8. 49ers: 5-5
t-8. Bears: 5-5
t-11. Rams: 4-6
t-11. Buccaneers: 4-6
If the chips fall this way, the NFC temporarily becomes a two-team race between the Lions and Eagles, with only the Vikings a game behind the pair. That’s a pretty comfortable lead for both teams, although both Detroit and Philly have tough remaining schedules beyond Week 11. Take a look:
Detroit:
- at Colts (4-6)
- vs. Bears (4-5)
- vs. Packers (6-3)
- vs. Bills (8-2)
- at Bears (4-5)
- at 49ers (5-4)
- at Vikings (7-2)
Total opponent record: 38-27
Philadelphia:
- at Rams (4-5)
- at Ravens (7-3)
- vs. Panthers (3-7)
- vs. Steelers (7-2)
- at Commanders (7-4)
- vs. Cowboys (3-6)
- vs. Giants (2-8)
Total opponent record: 33-35
In other words: lotta ballgame left.
