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Are the Detroit Lions Still Guaranteed the Top Seed if They Win Their Last Three Games?
As the 2024 NFL season approaches its final stretch, the Detroit Lions are in an enviable position—on the brink of securing a playoff berth and potentially claiming the NFC’s top seed. However, even with a perfect finish to their regular season, the question arises: Are the Detroit Lions still guaranteed the top seed in the NFC if they win their last three games?
To explore this, we must break down the current state of the NFL standings, the Lions’ remaining schedule, and the potential tiebreakers that could impact their postseason positioning. With only a few games left in the season, it’s not just the Lions’ success that determines their fate, but also the performance of several other top NFC teams vying for playoff spots.
Current Standings: The Lions’ Position
As of mid-December 2024, the Detroit Lions find themselves among the NFC’s elite. After a strong start to the season, they sit near the top of the NFC standings. Their record has given them a solid foundation to make a run at securing a first-round playoff bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
However, the NFC is highly competitive this year, and the Lions are not alone in the race for the top spot. Teams like the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, and Dallas Cowboys are also competing for the best record in the conference. Each of these teams has had their own stellar moments throughout the season, meaning that while the Lions are in a strong position, they are not in complete control of their destiny.
The Lions’ current record, combined with their remaining schedule, leaves them with a chance to claim the NFC’s top spot. But whether that guarantee still holds if they win all three of their last games is more complicated than it seems.
The Lions’ Remaining Schedule
The next three games for the Detroit Lions will be pivotal in determining their seeding. They will face a mix of teams that either have playoff aspirations or are fighting for positioning within their own divisions. A win in each of these games would put the Lions in a strong position to finish the season with one of the NFC’s best records.
However, the outcome of these games alone does not guarantee a top seed for the Lions. This is because the top NFC teams, including the Eagles, Cowboys, and 49ers, also have tough schedules ahead and could finish the season with similar or better records.
Tiebreakers: What Do the Lions Need to Secure the Top Seed?
In the NFL, when teams finish with identical records, tiebreakers come into play to determine playoff seeding. The Lions could finish the season tied with one or more teams, and the tiebreakers could impact their ability to claim the NFC’s top spot.
The most significant tiebreakers are:
- Head-to-Head Record: The Lions’ record against other NFC teams competing for the top seed could become crucial. If Detroit has a better record in matchups against teams like the Eagles or 49ers, they would gain an advantage. If they lose to one of these teams, it could jeopardize their chances of securing the top spot.
- Conference Record: In the event of a tie, the next tiebreaker is conference games. If the Lions win their remaining games, they will improve their conference record, which could be key if they are tied with another team in the NFC.
- Division Record: The Lions’ performance within the NFC North could also play a role in their overall seeding. If they win the division and finish with a strong division record, it would give them a slight edge over teams from other divisions that might have the same overall record.
- Strength of Victory: This tiebreaker takes into account the quality of opponents each team has defeated. If the Lions win their last three games against strong opponents, their strength of victory could help them in any tie scenario.
The Lions are still in control of their destiny if they win out. However, these tiebreakers demonstrate that they will need help from other teams to ensure that they claim the NFC’s top seed if they finish with the same record as another team.
Competitors for the Top Seed
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles are one of the most formidable teams in the NFC, and they currently hold a lead in the conference. With their strong quarterback play from Jalen Hurts and a well-rounded team, the Eagles are likely to be a top contender for the top seed. The Lions’ tiebreaker position against the Eagles could be especially important, especially if both teams finish with similar records.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers have one of the most dominant defenses in the league and a powerful offense led by quarterback Brock Purdy. Their record and potential for a deep playoff run make them one of the biggest threats to the Lions securing the top seed. The 49ers also face a difficult schedule, but their strength in key positions, including the quarterback and defensive line, will make them tough to beat.
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are another NFC powerhouse with a dangerous offense and a stingy defense. They have shown the ability to go toe-to-toe with the best teams in the league. The Cowboys’ fate, much like the Eagles and 49ers, depends on how they finish their remaining games. While the Cowboys could be a challenge for the Lions, they could also play a pivotal role in tiebreaker scenarios depending on their head-to-head matchups with Detroit and other contenders.
What the Lions Need to Do
To ensure they are in the best possible position for a top seed, the Lions must finish the season strong, ideally securing victories in their final three games. However, they also need some help from other teams. The Lions should hope for a few losses from their NFC competitors, especially the Eagles, Cowboys, and 49ers.
At the same time, the Lions will need to focus on winning as many conference games as possible to bolster their tiebreaker position. Beating NFC teams in their final stretch would give them a better shot at securing home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.