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The Detroit Lions have clinched a spot in the playoffs, as the Giants beat up on Washington, eliminating them from postseason contention. This is the Lions’ third time qualifying for the playoffs in six years and their second time under head coach Jim Caldwell.
However, because the Seahawks and Falcons won their respective games on Sunday, the Lions can’t finish any higher than the four seed in the NFC. That means if Detroit beats the Packers on Sunday night, they’ll host the five-seed New York Giants at Ford Field in the opening Wild Card round of the playoffs. The Lions lost to the Giants in Week 15, but that game was played in New York.
If the Lions lose to the Packers, they will stay at the six seed. With their win, the Seahawks clinched the three seed in the NFC, so the Lions would head to CenturyLink Field in Seattle on Wild Card weekend. The Lions have only played at CenturyLink once in their history and it resulted in last year’s controversial Monday Night Football loss.
Here’s a look at up-to-date playoff standings:
NFC playoff standings
| Position | Team | Record | Week 17 opponent | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Team | Record | Week 17 opponent | Notes |
| 1 | Dallas | 13-3 | Clinched 1 seed, bye | |
| 2 | Atlanta | 11-5 | Clinched 2 seed, bye | |
| 3 | Seattle | 10-5-1 | Clinched 3 seed | |
| 4 | Green Bay | 9-6 | at Detroit | Clinched playoff berth |
| 5 | New York | 10-5 | Clinched 5-seed | |
| 6 | Detroit | 9-6 | vs. Green Bay | Clinched playoff berth |
The Lions still have a lot on the line Sunday night, as the difference between a home playoff game and a trip to Seattle is huge. But for now, we’re guaranteed more Lions football after tonight. So let’s hear some more Toto!