To say the Detroit Lions are enthusiastic about January football is an understatement. They are in the playoffs for the first time in seven years and division winners for the first time in 30 years. The final question is who the Lions will face in the first round of the playoffs.
With a win over the Vikings two weeks ago, the Lions clinched the NFC North. We all know what happened in Dallas this past weekend, which effectively locks the Lions into the third spot in the NFC.
So, who should the Lions expect to see at Ford Field? Two teams that both the Lions and their fans would like to defeat.
Five Lions have been named to the 2024 Pro Bowl, with seven others picked as alternates.
The number one seed in the NFC has been secured. The San Francisco 49ers will not lose first place or home-field advantage in the playoffs. The Lions can’t finish lower than third and could even move up to second if a few unexpected events occur.
How the Lions will get the second seed
If the Lions beat the Vikings at Ford Field on Sunday, they’ll need two other teams to help them secure the No. 2 seed.
As the NFC East leaders, the Dallas Cowboys (11-5) presently have the No. 2 seed. The Philadelphia Eagles (11-6) are hot on their tail. The struggling Eagles will take on the New York Giants (5-11). Dallas will retain the second seed if both teams win.
After the Cowboys dispute, new billboards proclaim ‘Decker Reported’ and rectify the Lions record.
However, if they both lose OR draw AND the Lions win, Detroit moves up to the second slot.
Unfortunately, that is rather unlikely. The Eagles may be struggling, but Dallas has one of the best offenses (as CeeDee Lamb demonstrated).
In the playoffs, who will the Lions face?
Regardless of whether the Lions somehow earn the second spot, they will very certainly face one of two teams.
The Green Bay Packers or the Los Angeles Rams.
Both of those clubs will offer fantastic tales to Detroit, as if there weren’t enough already.
Of course, the Rams have former Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford. Meanwhile, Detroit’s quarterback is ex-Rams quarterback Jared Goff. That might be an interesting matchup.
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Of course, the Packers are the Packers, who have ruled the NFC North for years.
‘I’ve got controlled wrath,’ Campbell says of the Lions’ reaction to the Cowboys’ loss and questionable finish.
Right now, the Lions appear to be the favorites to beat the Rams at home. This is assuming that the Rams, Packers, Lions, Cowboys, and Eagles all win their respective games. However, there are some outside opportunities from other opponents.
For instance, if the Packers lose against the Bears this weekend, they will be eliminated from the playoffs! That’s correct. The Packers are fighting for their postseason lives in the final week of the season for the second year in a row. Last year, the Lions finished their season. Could the Bears follow suit?
Where can I buy Detroit Lions playoff tickets?
With a little luck, the Saints could sneak into the playoffs!
The most likely scenario is that the Lions will host Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams at Ford Field. The Rams play in San Francisco, but both teams are likely to rest their starters because the 49ers have already won the top seed and the Rams have clinched a wild card position.
Make yourself ready. The Rams are expected to land in Detroit for wild card weekend, which begins on Saturday, January 13th.
