The Detroit Lions scored a huge win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14 to keep their playoff hopes alive, and while their divisional odds seem bleak, there is still a path to another title.
While the Lions have lost twice to the Green Bay Packers, their record stands at 9-3-1. Detroit is only a game and a half behind the Packers in the division at 8-5, and will need a few more losses down the stretch combined with wins of their own if they want to win the NFC North for a third-straight year.
ESPN analyst Dan Graziano wondered aloud after a solid showing in Week 14 if the Lions could still chase down the Packers. Part of the reason he thinks that could happen is the way Detroit dismantled Dallas, combined with tough games on the horizon for their opposition.
"They are 8-5 and in third place in the division they've won the past two seasons, but they're only a game behind second-place Chicago and a game and a half behind first-place Green Bay. Detroit has the best point differential in the division at plus-90, ahead of Green Bay's plus-75. The Lions will visit the Rams next week then will get a home game against the Steelers before finishing with games at Minnesota and Chicago."
Schedule-wise, the Packers and Bears have a tough road coming up, which doesn't make life easy for Detroit's two biggest rivals in Graziano's mind.
"The Packers will go to Denver next week then to Chicago the week after that; they will play Baltimore at home in Week 17 and Minnesota on the road in Week 18. The Bears will have home games against the Browns and the Packers across the next two weeks, will go on the road to San Francisco in Week 17 and will finish with that home game against the Lions."
The Packers don't have a gimme schedule to finish the year. Games against the Broncos, Bears and Ravens will prove difficult. If the Lions are able to handle their business, they might be able to sneak up on Green Bay in the next few weeks if bounces go their way.
Lions still face long divisional odds, likely must set sights on Wild Card
Even though the thought of the Lions winning the division is nice, the franchise will likely have to focus on the Wild Card. While Graziano wonders if the Lions can steal the title, he also acknowledges the Packers are a stout team that might not have weaknesses, and proclaimed thoughts of the Lions swiping the division to be an overreaction.
"Green Bay hasn't allowed more than 16 points in any of its three losses. Christian Watson is the No. 1 receiver Jordan Love never knew he needed. Green Bay has beaten the Lions twice and the Bears once so far. The Packers should be the division favorites and a legit Super Bowl contender. Full stop."
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With that in mind, the Lions should keep the Bears firmly in their sights and merely see what happens with the Packers. Like Green Bay, Chicago's schedule is tough over the next few weeks. After a winnable game against Cleveland, the Bears will play the Packers and 49ers. The final game of the 2025 season in Chicago vs. Detroit could be for a playoff birth.
It's not out of the realm of possibility that the schedule could help Detroit back into another division title, but it's not likely. If the Lions want to make the playoffs, it likely starts with hoping Chicago collapses while Detroit handles their own business.