Barring a complete collapse from here on out, the Detroit Lions will make the playoffs for the first time since 2016 this year. A division title for the first time since 1993 is in their hands to earn.
There are plenty of scenarios for when the Lions could clinch a playoff spot over the coming weeks, and eventually clinch the NFC North. There are scenarios where winning the division could happen with a couple weeks to go in the regular season, with a sheer playoff spot lower-hanging fruit and a practical lock.
This week, Week 15, the Lions can clinch a playoff spot.
So how can it happen? There are 16 possible scenarios.
How can the Detroit Lions clinch a playoff spot in Week 15?
- DET win + SEA loss or tie + GB loss or tie OR
- DET win + SEA loss or tie + MIN loss or tie OR
- DET win + SEA loss or tie + LAR loss or tie OR
- DET win + LAR loss or tie + MIN loss or tie + TB loss OR
- DET win + LAR loss or tie + ATL loss or tie + GB loss OR
- DET win + LAR loss or tie + MIN loss or tie + ATL loss or tie OR
- DET win + GB-TB tie + LAR loss or tie OR
- DET tie + TB loss + SEA loss + LAR loss OR
- DET tie + GB loss + SEA loss + LAR loss OR
- DET tie + LAR loss + SEA loss + ATL loss OR
- DET tie + GB loss + SEA loss + ATL loss or tie OR
- DET tie + MIN loss + SEA loss + LAR loss OR
- DET tie + GB loss + LAR loss + ATL loss or tie + NO loss or tie OR
- DET tie + GB-TB tie + MIN loss + SEA loss + LAR tie OR
- DET tie + GB-TB tie + MIN loss + SEA loss + ATL loss or tie OR
- DET tie + GB-TB tie + MIN loss + LAR loss + ATL loss or tie
A win over the Denver Broncos on Saturday night is the easy first domino to clinching a playoff spot by the end of Week 15's action, but a tie and some help would get it done for the Lions too.
The revelant games to watch are these:
Broncos (7-6) at Lions (9-4)-Saturday night
Vikings (6-7) at Bengals (7-6) — Saturday afternoon
Buccaneers (6-7) at Packers (6-7)-Sunday
Falcons (6-7) at Panthers (1-12)-Sunday
Commanders (4-9) at Rams (6-7)-Sunday
Eagles (10-3) at Seahawks (6-7)-Monday night