Oh, did you think that our Detroit Lions rooting guide died with the team’s playoff chances? Absolutely not. We just shift the focus to 2026 and the things that could help this franchise bounce back in a big way next season.
Yes, it’s time to talk about 2026 NFL Draft position for these 8-8 Detroit Lions.
Look, I don’t like it. You probably don’t like it. But it’s the reality that we’re facing here. The playoffs or over, so if you look at things practically, the best outcomes are those that help improve draft position—and possibly the 2026 schedule—and, yes, that would include a Lions loss to the Chicago Bears in Week 18.
As of right now, the Lions could finish no worse than an 8-9 record. With 10 teams already at 6-10 or worse, Detroit will not finish the season with a top-10 pick. But they could get close.
So in Part 1 of our Week 17 Rooting Guide, we’re going to look at the two Saturday games and pick the best possible outcomes for the Lions. Part 2, with Sunday’s games, will drop Sunday morning.
Texans at Chargers — 4:30 p.m. ET — NFL Network
Who to root for: Texans
Okay, this one is a bit complicated, and, in all honesty, it’s a bit of a stretch.
The Texans can clinch a playoff spot with a win. And if they win and the Jaguars beat the Colts, Jacksonville will clinch the AFC South—leaving the Texans with nothing to play for in Week 18. That’s semi-important, because they play the 8-7 Colts in Week 18. The Colts could catch the Lions in the draft pick race if they lose both of their remaining games (dropping to 8-9) and the Lions win their finale against the Bears (jumping to 9-8). If both teams lose out and finish 8-9, the Lions will likely stay ahead of the Colts in draft position because of strength of schedule. The lower strength of schedule picks first, and it’s not very close between the two teams right now: Lions: 0.494, Colts: 0.537, per Tankathon.
So, in short, we want the Texans playing for nothing in Week 18, increasing the chances of a Colts win over Houston. But if the Lions just lose to the Bears in Week 18, this game will not really matter. The Colts won’t catch them.
Note: The Colts’ first-round pick is currently owned by the Jets, but its order is still determined by how Indianapolis finishes the season.
Ravens at Packers — 8 p.m. ET — Peacock
Who to root for: Ravens
A Ravens win provides two benefits.
If you’re rooting for a fourth-place schedule, root for the Ravens. Green Bay plays the Vikings in Week 18, and if the Vikings win that game, they’ll clinch third place in the division, sealing Detroit’s fate at the bottom of the NFC North. As we explained earlier in the week, a last-place finish should be a pretty significant advantage when it comes to the 2026 opponents.
If the Packers lose to the Ravens on Sunday, the Bears will clinch the NFC North, and it’ll cement Green Bay’s position as the NFC’s seven seed. With nothing to play for, the Packers may rest their starters in Minnesota, increasing the chances of a Vikings Week 18 victory.
If you’re rooting for draft position, root for the Ravens. Baltimore is currently 7-8 with a strength of schedule of .502. If they win and maintain a harder strength of schedule than Detroit, the Lions will jump them in draft order with both teams at 8-8.
The Ravens are still battling for a long-shot chance at winning the division, but they will be without starting quarterback Lamar Jackson. However, they’re facing off against a Jordan Love-less Packers team, too. So who knows?
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