It’s not over until the fat lady (or Matt Patricia) sings!
On Sunday, the Detroit Lions had an opportunity to put themselves right in the middle of the hunt for the final Wild Card spot in the NFC by beating the Green Bay Packers but the Packers proved too much to handle and the Lions fell to 5-8 on the season.
But for those of you who are still rooting for a miracle, here is how the Lions can still make the Playoffs. (Via the NFL trade Machine)
Step 1 – Win Out
As I wrote last week, heading into Week 14, the Lions did not have to win out to make the playoffs but they did need to go 3-1 and get some help. Well, after losing to the Packers, the Lions now have to win out to have any shot at making the playoffs. So, beat the Tennessee Titans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Minnesota Vikings, and we have a start of something good.
Step 2 – Get Help
As you may have read on DSN yesterday in our rooting guide, the three most important games (other than the Lions game) on Sunday involved the Bears, Cardinals, and Vikings. We advised rooting AGAINST all three of those teams as it would help the Lions playoff chances substantially. Unfortunately, two of those three teams (Bears and Cardinals) won so now the Lions need even more help from them moving forward.
If the Lions win out and both the Bears and Cardinals lose twice AND the Vikings lose to either the Bears or Saints, Detroit would “earn” a playoff spot.
Below is proof that this can happen!
In fact, if we have the team with the highest win % win the remainder of the games, coupled with the Lions winning out and flipping one Cardinals win (over the Eagles or 49ers), the Lions would get the nod.
That being said, does anyone really believe the Lions have what it takes to win out?