NFL playoff picture: Detroit Lions fall out of a playoff spot

After the Detroit Lions’ frustrating loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, they currently sit on the outside looking in when it comes to the NFC playoff race. At 6-4, Detroit still has plenty of time to climb its way out, particularly in a tight NFC North race where no one is playing particularly great football right now. But they’ll need to play some pretty clean ball down the stretch to extend their postseason streak to three.

Here’s a look at the NFC playoff picture, starting with the division.

NFC North standings through Week 11

1. Bears: 7-3
2. Packers: 6-3-1
3. Lions: 6-4
4. Vikings: 4-6

The Bears stunningly hold the top spot in the division now that they’ve won seven of their last eight games. Their schedule does get much tougher, though, with games against the Steelers, Eagles, Packers (x2), 49ers, and their season finale vs. the Lions. The Packers take the second spot after squeaking by the Giants, but they’re not playing very inspired football right now.

Minnesota looks to be in dire straits with an offense that looks lifeless right now.

NFC playoff standings through Week 11

The Lions have not only fallen out of the top spot in the NFC North, but they’re currently the first team out when it comes to any playoff spot. Check it out:

Division leaders:

1. Eagles: 8-2
2. Rams: 8-2
3. Bears: 7-3
4. Buccaneers: 6-4

Wild Card teams (top three advance):

1. Seahawks: 7-3
2. Packers: 6-3-1
3. 49ers: 7-4
4. Lions: 6-4
5. Panthers: 6-5
6. Vikings: 4-6
7. Cowboys: 3-5-1
8. Cardinals: 3-7
9. Falcons: 3-7
10. Commanders: 3-8
11. Saints: 2-8
12. Giants: 2-9

Detroit sits in the eight seed through 11 weeks and will need to make up ground soon. The 49ers will be tough to catch not only because they seem to be withstanding all of their injuries, but also because they have an impressive 7-2 record in conference games (the primary tiebreakers). The Lions, meanwhile, are just 3-3 in conference games.

Detroit’s best chance is to jump a team in the division. They’re just a half-game behind the Packers and face off against them in less than two weeks on Thanksgiving. And if the Bears’ luck finally runs out, Detroit could easily catch them, currently just being a spot behind with a temporary head-to-head tiebreaker in their favor.

While no one in Detroit should panic given their current standing, it does highlight how important these final seven weeks of the season will be.

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