Here are all the outcomes for Week 12 you should be rooting for to improve the Detroit Lions’ odds for the No. 1 seed.
The Detroit Lions sit comfortably atop the NFC playoff picture thanks to a league-leading 9-1 record. That said, there are a pair of two-loss teams that are nipping at their heels. So if the Lions want to maintain their grasp of the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye, they’ll need to finish strong, and that starts Sunday with a win over the Indianapolis Colts.
But it’s always nice to get a little help, too. So if you’re watching all of the NFL on Sunday, here are the best possible outcomes for the Lions to help them secure a playoff spot, a division title, and the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
Take a look:
Vikings (8-2) at Bears (4-6) — 1 p.m. ET — FOX
Root for: Bears
The Vikings have narrowly escaped a couple of losses lately, and it feels like it’s only a matter of time before they slip up again. Meanwhile, the Bears have narrowly escaped a couple of wins. Last week, in particular, they epically collapsed when they finally had the Packers where they wanted them. Hopefully, they can bounce back, hand the Vikings their third loss of the season, and then be physically and emotionally spent so that the Lions can wipe them out on Thanksgiving.
Buccaneers (4-6) at Giants (2-8) — 1 p.m. ET — CBS
Root for: Giants
This game essentially doesn’t matter, as it’s almost mathematically impossible for the Buccaneers to catch the Lions. But why not eliminate all possibilities?
[Editor’s note: And just keep the Bucs out of the playoff picture completely.]
Cowboys (3-7) at Commanders (7-4) — 1 p.m. ET — FOX
Root for: Cowboys
The Commanders have dropped two in a row and are suddenly out of the No. 1 seed race. They could certainly work their way back into that conversation with a relatively easy schedule left. A loss to the lowly Cowboys, however, would likely end any serious chances of them earning the top seed.
49ers (5-5) at Packers (7-3) — 4:25 p.m. ET — FOX
Root for: 49ers
Unfortunately, San Francisco will be without both Brock Purdy and Nick Bosa, which will make this upset a little less likely. Of course, the 49ers losing isn’t a terrible outcome, seeing as they could be a dangerous team if they ever get healthy. Still, a Packers loss is far more preferable, both in terms of the NFC North race and by the universal “FTP” philosophy we all live by.
Cardinals (6-4) at Seahawks (5-5) — 4:25 p.m. ET — FOX
Root for: Seahawks
This game doesn’t really matter all that much, so you can freely root for whatever you want. But I’m simply picking the Seahawks since the Cardinals have the best record in the NFC West. Detroit isn’t likely to be surpassed by either team with a three-game lead plus the tiebreaker over Arizona. But I want chaos in that division, so let’s make it as close as possible.
Eagles (8-2) at Rams (5-5) — 8:20 p.m. ET — NBC
Root for: Rams
Pull out your Detroit Rams shirts and drape your Matthew Stafford jersey over it because a Rams win over the Eagles would be huge for the Lions. As of right now, the Eagles look like Detroit’s biggest competition for the No. 1 seed due to their six-game win streak and strong roster in the trenches. While I don’t love the idea of letting the Rams get back into the playoff race, it’s a far better outcome than seeing the Eagles get to 9-2.
NFC playoff standings if results go Detroit’s way + Lions win
NFC North:
- Lions: 10-1
- Vikings: 8-3
- Packers: 7-4
- Bears: 5-6
The Lions would have a two-game lead (plus a temporary tiebreaker) with just six weeks left in the season. That would be a pretty comfortable lead, although, with a game against the Vikings and Packers still remaining, the Lions will have plenty of work to do regardless of what happens this week.
NFC standings:
- Lions: 9-1
- Eagles: 8-3
- Falcons: 6-5
- Cardinals: 6-5
Another two-game lead here, plus it would pretty much just be a two-division race for the No. 1 seed (it probably already is). Not including any Week 12 results, here are the odds for the No. 1 seed in the NFC (by DVOA):
- Lions: 85.8%
- Eagles: 7.8%
- Vikings: 4.7%
- Commanders: 1.0%
- Packers: 0.6%
Wild Card race (top three advance)
5. Vikings: 8-3
6. Packers: 7-4
7. Commanders: 7-5
t-8. Seahawks: 6-5
t-8. 49ers: 6-5
t-8. Rams: 6-5
11. Bears: 5-6
In this scenario, the NFC West is all 6-5, which would be an extremely fun outcome. I don’t currently have a preference for who comes out of that division other than I’d rather not deal with another GOFF VS. STAFFORD playoff game, if possible.
