Obviously this requires some teams dropping games that they will probably win, but here's what I came up with on the ESPN play off machine:
(note: I'm not listing AFC vs AFC match ups because they don't really matter. An asterisk (*) denotes that the outcome of the game does not effect Detroit's chances of getting in the playoffs, but may affect seeding. But obviously, if too much changing happens, it could effect the playoff picture. Mainly I want to show what individual games can change and not kick Detroit out of the play offs.)
Week 13
DET over IND
ATL over NO
CHI over SEA*
GB over MIN
SF over STL
NYJ over ARI*
DEN over TB
PHI over DAL
NYG over WAS
CAR over KC*
Week 14
GB over DET
BUF over STL
CIN over DAL*
CHI over MIN
PHI over TB
BAL over WAS
ATL over CAR
SF over MIA
NYG over NO
SEA over ARI*
Week 15
DET over ARI
CIN over PHI*
NYG over ATL*
CHI over GB* (this game would determine who won the NFCN)
CLE over WAS
STL over MIN
NO over TB
BUF over SEA
SD over CAR*
PIT over DAL*
NE over SF*
Week 16
ATL over DET
DAL over NO*
GB over TEN*
PHI over WAS
TB over STL
CAR over OAK*
BAL over NYG*
HOU over MIN
CHI over ARI* (Though if CHI lost this game, CHI would play @GB in playoffs, DET@NY)
SF over SEA
Week 17
ATL over TB
DET over CHI
GB over MIN
NO over CAR*
NYG over PHI
WAS over DAL
SF over ARI*
STL over SEA
6th Seed - Detroit Wins tie break over New Orleans and Seattle based on strength of victory. Division tie break was initially used to eliminate Tampa Bay (New Orleans wins tie break over Tampa Bay based on head-to-head win percentage).
Okay, so obviously this relies on some "upsets" and MIN shitting their pants the rest of the season, which really isn't that far-fetched except for the game I had STL beating them. It requires some teams to win certain weeks and lose other weeks. But it's possible. Obviously we can play around a little more if we go 8-8 or 9-7. Other than a couple of games though, I don't think this scenario is completely ridiculous. Maybe PHI getting to 6-10, or the entire NFC east besides NYG being 6-10 is a little ridiculous.
Do I expect this to happen? No. But it's not out of the question anyways. The tough win will be vs CHI, but we could still get in with losses @ GB and vs ATL, with a little magic.