A detailed look at every possible Detroit Lions playoff seeding scenario for the 2024-25 postseason.
With only two games remaining in the 2024 NFL regular season, the Detroit Lions playoff picture is coming into focus. The Lions could clinch the NFC North and the top seed in the conference as early as this week. However, with bad outcomes over the next two weeks, the Lions could fall as far as the NFC’s fifth overall seed.
The good news is that no matter what happens in Week 17, the Lions will still be in play for a first-round bye. All they need to do is beat the Vikings in Week 18 and they’ll finish first in the NFC. No other outcomes in Week 17 or Week 18 matter.
But if you’re interested in every other possible outcome, we’ve got them laid out for you.
Lions get the No. 1 NFC seed if…
- Lions beat 49ers + Packers beat Vikings (Lions/Vikings outcome doesn’t matter)
- Lions beat 49ers + Lions tie Vikings
- Lions lose to 49ers + Vikings lose to Packers + Lions tie Vikings + Eagles lose 1 remaining game (Cowboys, Giants)
- Lions beat Vikings
Lions get the No. 2 NFC seed if…
- Lions lose to 49ers + Vikings lose to Packers + Lions/Vikings tie + Eagles win final 2 games
Lions get No. 5 NFC seed if…
- Lions lose to 49ers + Vikings beat/tie Packers + Lions and Vikings tie
- Lions lose to Vikings + Vikings beat/tie Packers
Or, if you prefer laid out in another way:
If Vikings lose to Packers
- Lions beat 49ers = 1 seed
- Lions tie 49ers + Lions tie Vikings = 1 seed
- Lions tie 49ers + Lions beat Vikings = 1 seed
- Lions tie 49ers, Lions lose to Vikings = 5 seed
- Lions lose to 49ers, beat Vikings in Week 18 = 1 seed
- Lions lose to 49ers, lose to Vikings = 5 seed
- Lions lose to 49ers, tie Vikings + Eagles win out = 2 seed
- Lions lose to 49ers, tie Vikings + Eagles lose 1 more game = 1 seed
If Vikings tie Packers
- Lions beat 49ers, Lions beat Vikings = 1 seed
- Lions beat 49ers, Lions lose to Vikings = 5 seed
- Lions beat 49ers, Lions tie Vikings, 1 seed
- Lions tie 49ers, Lions beat Vikings = 1 seed
- Lions tie 49ers, Lions tie Vikings = 1 seed
- Lions tie 49ers, Lions lose to Vikings = 5 seed
- Lions lose to 49ers, Lions beat Vikings = 1 seed
- Lions lose to 49ers, tie Vikings = 5 seed
- Lions lose to 49ers, Lions lose to Vikings = 5 seed
If Vikings beat Packers
- Lions beat 49ers, Lions beat or tie Vikings = 1 seed
- Lions beat 49ers, Lions lose to Vikings = 5 seed
- Lions tie 49ers, Lions beat Vikings = 1 seed
- Lions tie 49ers, Lions tie Vikings = 5 seed
- Lions tie 49ers, Lions lose to Vikings = 5 seed
- Lions lose to 49ers, Lions beat Vikings = 1 seed
- Lions lose to 49ers, Lions lose or tie to Vikings = 5 seed