Lions playoff picture: Scenarios, chances for Detroit to make postseason

TheDetroit Lionswill need a last-minute miracle to extend their playoff streak to three consecutive seasons.

After winning the NFC North in back-to-back years, the Lions have taken a step back in 2025. Detroit has just an 8-7 record and has dropped three of its last four games, leaving the team at No. 8 in the NFC standings.

The Lions no longer have a chance to win the NFC North and will only be able to make it into the postseason as the final NFC wild-card team. Their playoff chances may be slim, but they will have an opportunity to improve them on Christmas when they face off against theMinnesota Vikings.

Here's what to know about the Lions' playoff odds entering Week 17 and what needs to happen for Detroit to make it into the postseason.

Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.

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Best images of the 2025 NFL season

Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18)makes a catch for a touchdownagainst the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.

Lions playoff chances

The Lions have an estimated 7% chance to make the playoffs entering Week 17, according tothe NFL's Next Gen Stats. They have just one available postseason path: overtaking theGreen Bay Packersin the NFC standings to earn the conference's No. 7 seed.

Lions playoff odds

The Lions entered Week 17 with +1300 odds to make the postseason, per odds from DraftKings Sportsbook. That gives them a 7.1% implied probability to earn a playoff berth.

Lions playoff scenarios

The Lions can only make the playoffs as a wild card. They will need to catch the Packers in the NFC standings to earn their way into the postseason field as the No. 7 seed.

Here's what would have to happen for the Lions to catch the Packers in the NFC playoff race:

• Lions win final two games AND

• Packers lose final two games.

If the Lions lose on Christmas or the Packers win against theBaltimore Ravensin their Saturday matchup, Detroit will be eliminated from playoff contention.

NFC North standings

The Lions enter Week 17 in third place in the NFC North standings, but they may not finish the week there. Detroit can't overtake Green Bay in the race for second place, but a loss to the Vikings would drop the Lions to last place in the division.

Below is a full look at the NFC North standings:

1. Chicago Bears (11-4)

2. Green Bay Packers (9-5-1)

3. Detroit Lions (8-7)

4. Minnesota Vikings (7-8)

The Packers are the only team that could potentially catch the Bears in the NFC North title race. The best the Lions can finish is second, and they would need the Packers to lose out for that to happen.

The Lions won the NFC North in both 2023 and 2024. They finished second in the division in 2022, which snapped a streak of four consecutive last-place finishes under Matt Patricia and in Dan Campbell's first season with the team.

Lions remaining schedule

Detroit's final two games will be divisional road matchups against the Vikings and Bears.

Below is a full look at the Lions' schedule:

• Week 17: at Minnesota Vikings (7-8)

• Week 18: at Chicago Bears (11-4)

Packers remaining schedule

Neither of Green Bay's remaining opponents sports a winning record. Below is a look at the teams the Packers will play over the final two weeks of the season:

• Week 17: vs. Baltimore Ravens (7-8)

• Week 18: at Minnesota Vikings (7-8)

NFL playoff picture

Here's how the AFC and NFC stack up entering Week 17:

1. Denver Broncos (12-3, AFC West leaders)*

2. New England Patriots (12-3, AFC East leaders)*

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4, AFC South leaders)*

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6, AFC North leaders)

5. Los Angeles Chargers (11-4, wild card No. 1)*

6. Buffalo Bills (11-4, wild card No. 2)*

7. Houston Texans (10-5, wild card No. 3)

In the hunt: Indianapolis Colts (8-7), Baltimore Ravens (7-8).

1. Seattle Seahawks (12-3, NFC West leaders)*

2. Chicago Bears (11-4, NFC North leaders)*

3. Philadelphia Eagles (10-5, NFC East winners)*

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6, NFC South leaders)

5. San Francisco 49ers (11-4, wild card No. 1)*

6. Los Angeles Rams (11-4, wild card No. 2)*

7. Green Bay Packers (9-5-1, wild card No. 3)

In the hunt: Detroit Lions (8-7), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8)

An asterisk (*) denotes teams that have clinched a playoff spot. Teams that have clinched division titles are noted accordingly.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Lions playoff chances: Scenarios, odds for Detroit to make postseason