NFL playoff picture: Lions jump back into first place

With two weeks left in the 2014 regular season, the Detroit Lions are in first place in the NFC North and are in line for a first-round bye in the playoffs. I'll let that sink in for a second...

The Lions returned to the top of the NFC North with a big assist from the Buffalo Bills. The Lions took care of business with a 16-14 win over the Minnesota Vikings, and the Bills beat the Green Bay Packers earlier in the day by a score of 21-13. As a result, the Lions and Packers now have the same record, and Detroit still owns the head-to-head tiebreaker. The Lions also own the tiebreaker over the Dallas Cowboys, meaning they have the No. 2 seed in the conference going into Week 16.

1. Arizona Cardinals (11-3) *NFC West champion*
2. Detroit Lions (10-4) *NFC North champion*
3. Dallas Cowboys (10-4) *NFC East champion*
4. Carolina Panthers (5-8-1) *NFC South champion*
5. Seattle Seahawks (10-4) *Wild card*
6. Green Bay Packers (10-4) *Wild card*
7. Philadelphia Eagles (9-5)
   

Bye: Cardinals, Lions | Wild-card round: Cowboys vs. Packers, Panthers vs. Seahawks

The Lions have put themselves in an extremely good position. Even with a loss next week, they would still play for the NFC North title in Week 17. With a win next week, on the other hand, they would clinch a playoff spot. And with a win and a Green Bay loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Lions would be NFC North champions before Week 17 even begins.