Believe it or not, the Detroit Lions still have a shot at winning the NFC North, even with just three games left in the 2025 regular season. According to the New York Times NFL Playoff Picture, Detroit only has about a 5% chance of claiming the division right now, but that path becomes real if everything breaks the right way.
Let’s break down how Detroit could still come out on top.
Week 16: Win at Home, Bears Beat Packers
First up in this domino sequence: Sunday’s big game at Pittsburgh Steelers.
- Detroit Lions defeat the Steelers
- Chicago Bears upset Green Bay Packers
If Detroit wins at home in Week 16 and Chicago knocks off Green Bay, Detroit would tighten the division race considerably and keep that 5% chance alive heading into Week 17.
Week 17: Lions Win, Others Follow Suit
Moving into Week 17, the perfect set of results includes:
- Detroit Lions beat the Vikings
- Baltimore Ravens defeat the Packers
- San Francisco 49ers top the Bears
If all that happens, boy does the NFC North become a wild scene. Detroit would continue to gain ground on both division rivals, and head into Week 18 with everything still up for grabs.
Week 18: Win and Watch the Packers Lose
Here’s where the magic happens:
- Detroit Lions defeat the Chicago Bears
- Minnesota Vikings beat the Packers
With that scenario, Detroit would leapfrog Green Bay in the NFC North standings and take the division crown in dramatic fashion.
Yes, it’s a long shot, but it’s still actually possible with a clean sweep and help from around the league.
Bottom Line: It’s a Long Path, But It’s Still There
Right now, with three games to play, Detroit’s odds to win the NFC North are modest — around 5% according to the New York Times playoff picture. But football in December is never predictable, especially in a tight race like the NFC North.
If the Lions can win every game on their schedule — and the Bears and Packers stumble just enough — Detroit could shock the division and finish the season on top.
Stranger things have happened — and with the way this team has battled all year, never count them out just yet.
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