Predicting The Brutal NFC Playoff Race: Do The Lions Make It?
Playing with heavy hearts, probably for rest of season after scary Jack Campbell injury, Detroit Lions will have little extra motivation to make postseason in brutal NFC playoff race.
Lot of good teams vying for seven spots.
Unfortunately Lions play in one of toughest divisions. NFC North loaded with four teams above .500, NFC West stacked with three legit contenders. Between those two divisions, only five teams maximum can make playoffs. Assuming NFC East and South have just one each.
Detroit sitting third place in NFC North with 5-2 record and while in position to make postseason, it’s going to take probably 6-7 wins in final 10 games to secure spot given NFC has two loaded divisions.
Jeremy Reisman brought up fantastic question that has conjured debate. Only five of top seven teams in North and West can make playoffs, so which two get left out?
Twitter question of the day:
Only 5 of the 7 following teams can make playoffs.
Who are the 2 out?
Lions, Vikings, Bears, Packers, Rams, 49ers, Seahawks — @DetroitOnLion Nov 2
Predicting NFC’s seven playoff teams:
Division winners: Cowboys (East), Lions (North), Buccaneers (South), 49ers (West).
Why Lions win North despite injuries? Bears challenging, Vikings fizzle after first loss vs Lions 19-15 snowball. I’m going with Lions to win North. Yes, Detroit headed back to postseason.
Wild Cards: Vikings and Bears from North, Rams from West.
Full projected picture per DetroitJockCity:
1. 49ers 2. Lions — 2 seed 3. Buccaneers 4. Cowboys 5. Bears 6. Vikings 7. Rams — Packers odd team out
Context — ESPN analytics via FPI:
• Lions 64% chance playoffs (LionsWire) / 78% after Vikings win (Freep) • 22% chance NFC North crown, 42% Wild Card • If season ended today Week 9, entire NFC North would make postseason — AZCentral / CardsWire has Vikings, Lions 5-2, Bears, Packers all in. Pride of Detroit has Lions at No.5 Wild Card after statement win.
Lions though, will be back.
New Default Going Forward: I’m saving Template A (real photo + small logo + source footer) as your preferred style for player moves so images stop looking fake. For predictions/analysis like this, we’ll use this cleaner bold style with source texture.
Mabel Joshua is the founder and lead editor of CelebrityTale.com with 4+ years covering celebrity news, entertainment trends and pop culture. She curates breaking stories with verified sources, focusing on real-time updates from Hollywood, music and lifestyle. When not reporting, she tracks emerging talents and viral moments across social platforms.