Here’s a look at every game and team Detroit Lions fans should be rooting for in Week 13 to optimize their playoff position.
The NFC playoff picture is starting to clear up already with still six weeks of games left to play. For the Detroit Lions, while they have yet to officially clinch a playoff spot, they could by the end of Sunday. There are six total scenarios in which the Lions can clinch, but because four of them involve an unlikely tie, here are the two that you should track throughout the day:
Scenario 1:
- 49ers lose to Bills AND
- Cardinals lose to Vikings AND
- Seahawks lose to Jets AND
- Buccaneers lose to Panthers
Scenario 2:
- 49ers lose to Bills AND
- Cardinals lose to Vikings AND
- Seahawks lose to Jets AND
- Commanders lose to Titans AND
- Falcons lose to Chargers
You could theoretically root for all of these outcomes, but some of them are actually against the Lions’ overall interest. For example, no Lions fan in their right mind should be rooting for the 9-2 Vikings to beat the 6-5 Cardinals, even if it helps them clinch a playoff spot quicker. In reality, the Lions are going to make the playoffs regardless of any Week 13 outcomes. Instead, we should focus on higher goals, like winning the NFC North and potentially earning a first-round bye.
So here are the results you should be rooting for this Sunday.
Only two games really matter
The race for the No. 1 seed is a four-team contest between the 11-1 Lions, the 9-3 Packers, the 9-2 Vikings, and the 9-2 Eagles. With the Lions and Packers already taking care of business this week, most of your focus this week should be on the Vikings and Eagles.
Cardinals (6-5) at Vikings (9-2) — 1 p.m. ET — FOX
Root for: Cardinals
Given Detroit’s injury situation, creating a two-game lead over both the Vikings and Packers in the NFC North with five games left would be a pretty big deal. The Lions still have to play both Minnesota and Green Bay, but at least both of those games are at home. A little breathing room would mean a lot for a team that is going through adversity despite their 11-1 record.
Eagles (9-2) at Ravens (8-4)
Root for: Ravens
AFC over NFC is always the case with a playoff race, and the Eagles are the Lions’ greatest (and really only) threat to the No. 1 seed outside of the NFC North. Philly is on a seven-game winning streak and their final five games finish with a couple of potential cakewalks (Giants, Cowboys). But with the Ravens, Steelers and Commanders in the next three weeks, the Eagles could slip and give Detroit some much-needed cushion.
Other games that don’t really matter, but can help a little
- Chargers (7-4) over Falcons (6-5) — 1 p.m. ET — CBS
One of the necessary steps in the playoff scenarios and AFC over NFC.
- Jets (3-8) over Seahawks (6-5) — 1 p.m. ET — FOX
One of the necessary steps in the playoff scenarios and AFC over NFC.
- Titans (3-8) over Commanders (7-5)— 1 p.m. ET — CBS
One of the necessary steps in the playoff scenarios and AFC over NFC.
- Panthers (3-8) over Buccaneers (5-6) — 4:05 p.m. ET — FOX
One of the steps in playoff scenario 1 above.
- Bills (9-2) over 49ers (5-6) — 8:20 p.m. ET — NBC
AFC over NFC, and the sooner San Francisco is knocked out of the playoff race, the better for the Lions and their Week 17 matchup vs. the 49ers.
Toss up
Rams (5-6) vs. Saints (4-7) — 4:05 p.m. ET — FOX
Both teams are clinging to playoff hopes, and neither team can mathematically catch the Lions in the standings. So simply root against whichever team you don’t want to see in the playoffs. I have no preference.
Standings if each game goes the Lions’ way
If every preferred outcome goes the Lions’ way—and let’s just say the Rams lose, too—here are the NFC North and NFC playoff standings.
NFC North:
- Lions: 11-1
- Vikings: 9-3
- Packers: 9-3
- Bears: 4-8
A two-game lead with five games left. Looks good to me.
NFC playoff standings:
- Lions: 11-1
- Eagles: 9-3
- Cardinals: 7-5
- Falcons: 6-6
Wild card race (top 3 advance)
5. Vikings: 9-3
6. Packers: 9-3
7. Commanders: 7-6
8. Seahawks: 6-6
9. Five teams tied at 5-7: Cowboys, Rams, 49ers, Buccaneers, Saints
In this scenario, the Lions wouldn’t technically clinch the playoffs, but it would only be a formality going forward. A two-game lead over the entire NFC would feel quite nice with only five weeks to play.
