No matter what happens on Sunday, the Detroit Lions will be in striking distance of a playoff spot. After their big win over the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night, the Lions still remain third in the NFC North race, but it’s about to be a lot closer. Here’s where things stand as of Sunday morning (prior to 1 p.m. ET games).
NFC North:
- Chicago Bears: 9-3
- Green Bay Packers: 8-3-1
- Detroit Lions: 8-5
- Minnesota Vikings 4-8
With the Bears and Packers facing off at 4:25 p.m. ET, the Lions will inch closer to one of them. If the Bears win, the Lions will be a half-game back of the Packers. If Green Bay wins, the Lions will only be a game back of Chicago—with a big Lions/Bears game looming in Week 18.
Better yet for the Lions, these two teams aren’t going to be done beating up on each other after Sunday. In two weeks, the Bears and Packers will be back at it again, this time in Chicago. Generally speaking, all outcomes are good for the Lions, because it means another divisional opponent is getting handed a loss. But if the biggest concern is just making the playoffs, the Lions want one of these teams to lose both games. Personally, I want it to be the Bears collapsing, because it only gives the Lions more pathways to getting into the postseason.
Regardless, root however you feel makes the most sense, because no matter what happens, Week 14 has already been a success for the Lions.
Feel free to chat in the comment section below during the Bears/Packers game. And don’t forget about the other games being played in this timeslot. You can start your Week 15 scouting with Rams vs. Cardinals (4:25 p.m., FOX) or inexplicably watch Broncos vs. Raiders (4:05 p.m., CBS).
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