How Detroit Lions can be eliminated from playoff contention in Week 17

The Detroit Lions' season is on the brink as they prepare for a Week 17 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.

The Lions enter the week in third place in the NFC North and in the No. 8 spot in the wild-card standings, which puts them on the outside looking in for the playoffs. Detroit has already been eliminated from contention in the division.

That leaves the Lions with just one avenue to get to the playoffs and that comes via the final wild-card spot, which is the only wild-card spot still attainable in the NFC.

In order for the Lions to avoid elimination this week, they're going to need some help from the Green Bay Packers.

Here's the rundown of what needs to happen in order for the Lions to avoid elimination over the final two weeks of the 2025 campaign.

How Lions can be eliminated from playoff contention

The Lions must take care of business over the next two weeks in order to even have a chance to make the playoffs. If the Lions fail to win either of their next two games, they'll be eliminated, no matter what the Packers do.

If the Lions win their final two games, they're going to need the Packers to lose both of theirs in order to make the postseason. So, that means just one Green Bay win in the last two weeks will knock the Lions out of playoff contention.

Lions remaining schedule: at Minnesota Vikings, at Chicago Bears

Packers remaining schedule: vs. Baltimore Ravens, at Minnesota Vikings

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