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For the fourth straight season, the Detroit Lions will not be participating in the NFL playoffs. With Sunday’s 46-25 blowout loss to the Tennessee Titans, the Lions fell to 5-9 on the season, guaranteeing their third losing record in as many years. Mathematically speaking, there is no possible route to the postseason. It’s over.
That does mean the Lions will have a pick in the top 18 of the 2021 NFL draft, and given the way things are going, it will likely be in the top half of that group. As of this publication, the Lions currently hold the 10th overall pick in the draft, but with two tough games remaining on the schedule—Buccaneers and Vikings—Detroit may not have a win left in them.
With yet another postseason absence, the Lions will have just three playoff appearances between 2000 to 2020.
The next general manager and head coach this team hires will have their work cut out for them.