Week 11 in the NFL could be a critical one for the Detroit Lions and another handful of NFC teams vying for a playoff spot. We’ve got a big NFC North game between fringe contenders, a huge NFC West showdown for first place in the division, and Sunday night closes with the Lions vs. the Philadelphia Eagles in a bout that could eventually decide the conference’s top seed.
With the Lions playing on Sunday night, fans can watch it all unfold before Detroit takes the field. Here is your Week 11 rooting guide, and what the optimal NFC playoff picture could look like by the end of Monday night.
Commanders (3-7) at Dolphins (3-7) — 9:30 am. ET — NFL Network
Root for: Dolphins
The Commanders, at 3-7 and on the wrong end of the Lions’ tiebreaker, are almost zero threat to Detroit. But if you want to bury them for what they did in January, root for the Dolphins. There is a minor advantage to a Commander win, because it would improve Detroit’s strength of victory, but that is a deep tiebreaker that doesn’t often come into play. Just sleep in for this one.
Bears (6-3) at Vikings (4-5) — 1 p.m. ET — FOX
Root for: Vikings?
This is a toughie because, deep in my core, I think the Vikings are the better team, and they also currently hold the tiebreaker over Detroit. But by record alone, the Bears are currently the bigger threat, and that’s what I’ll stick with here. I’m not interested in a share for first place. Give me the sole spot.
Packers (5-3-1) at Giants (2-8) — 1 p.m. ET — FOX
Root for: Giants
As if getting beaten by the Panthers wasn’t embarrassing enough, imagine what losing to Jameis Winston and the 2-8 Giants would do to the Packers’ morale? Green Bay is just 3-3-1 in their last seven games, so a loss here would have them worried about falling out of the NFC playoff picture entirely.
Panthers (5-5) at Falcons (3-6) — 1 p.m. ET — FOX
Root for: Falcons
The Panthers are still hanging around. And while their playoff hopes are hanging by a thread (5.2% per DVOA), the fewer teams in the hunt, the better for Detroit.
Buccaneers (6-3) at Bills (6-3) — 1 p.m. ET — CBS
Root for: Bills
Always AFC over NFC, especially when it’s a contender like the Buccaneers. Tampa has looked shaky as of late, but their playoff spot seems relatively safe in an uncompetitive NFC South. Still, for seeding’s sake, let’s go Bills!
Seahawks (7-2) at Rams (7-2) — 4:05 p.m. ET — FOX
Root for: Rams
This is a complete toss-up, and you can root for whoever you want. The reason I picked the Rams is that Detroit can hold its own destiny with Los Angeles. If Detroit beats them in Week 15, they’ll not only pick up a game on them but also hold a valuable tiebreaker over them. Given that the Lions do not play against the Seahawks this year, I reckon it’s best they accumulate losses on their own. But if you think the Rams are the better team and bigger threat, go ahead and root for the Seahawks.
49ers (6-4) at Cardinals (3-6) — 4:05 p.m. ET — FOX
Root for: Cardinals
With Brock Purdy back, it’s fair to wonder if the 49ers can withstand all of their injuries and make a run at a Wild Card spot. An upset by Jacoby Brissett and company would give the Lions a little much-needed breathing room in the playoff race.
Cowboys (3-5-1) at Raiders (2-7)— Monday 8:15 p.m. ET — ESPN/ABC
Root for: Raiders
AFC over NFC. A Cowboys loss would mean their best possible record would be 10-6-1, a mark the Lions seem likely to surpass this year. I would spend your Monday evenings watching the PODcast instead.
If all the outcomes go Detroit’s way—and the Lions beat the Eagles—here’s what the NFC playoff standings would look like:
NFC playoff standings:
- Rams: 8-2
- Lions: 7-3
- Eagles: 7-3
- Buccaneers: 6-4
Wild Card race (top 3 advance)
5. Seahawks: 7-3
6. Bears: 6-4
7. Packers: 5-4-1
8. 49ers: 6-5
9. Vikings: 5-5
10. Cardinals: 4-6
11. Falcons: 4-6
In this scenario, the Lions would jump up a spot to the two-seed and gain the valuable tiebreaker over the Eagles. While the Rams would be in sole possession of the top spot in the conference, the Lions would be able to claim it if they win the next three games (Giants, Packers, Cowboys), then beat the Rams in Week 15, earning yet another head-to-head tiebreaker.
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