The NFL kicks off Week 14 with a huge NFC North showdown as the Detroit Lions host the Green Bay Packers. The game will kick off inside Ford Field at 8:20pm on Amazon Prime Video. The NFC North remains wide open, but the Lions are in position to clinch a playoff spot in Week 14.
The Lions have an easy path to the playoffs this week. A win against the Packers will secure a wild card spot. Detroit is a 3.5-point favorite FanDuel Sportsbook. In Week 9, they played against Green Bay at Lambeau Field and won 24-14. Pick-sixes will make the difference in this match, and another tough battle is expected.
Scenario for Lions to advance to playoffs
There is another scenario for the Lions to clinch a playoff spot this week if the Packers get a road win. There are 9 such scenarios, but we will ignore the ones that require a tie. Draws do happen in the NFL, but their chances are low enough to be ignored for the time being. If the Lions lose on Thursday, they will clinch a playoff spot in one of the following scenarios (italics indicate the Lions earned at least a tie on the strength of their win over the Eagles).
- Falcons lose, Rams lose, Eagles win
- Falcons lose, Cardinals lose, Rams lose
- Falcons lose, Seahawks lose, Eagles win
- Falcons lose, Cardinals lose, Eagles win. Plus Cowboys, Bears, Steelers, and Titans combined for 3.5 or more wins.
- Falcons lose, Cardinals lose, Eagles win. Cowboys win, Bears win, Steelers or Titans win.
- Bucks lose, Rams lose, Eagles win
- Bucks lose, Cardinals lose, Rams lose, Eagles win
- Bucks lose, Seahawks lose, Eagles win
NFC North decision scenario
Detroit currently leads the NFC North by one game over the Vikings and two games over the Packers. The Vikings host the Falcons this week. The earliest the Lions can confirm their division is Week 16.
NFC standings entering Week 14
1. detroit lions (11-1)
2. philadelphia eagles (10-2)
3. seattle seahawks (7-5)
4. atlanta falcons (6-6, 2-0 vs TB)
5. minnesota vikings (10-2)
6. green bay packers (9-3)
7. commander of washington (8-5)
8. tampa bay buccaneers (6-6, 0-2 vs ATL, 6-3 NFC)
9. arizona cardinals (6-6, win over LAR, 3-5 NFC)
10. Los Angeles Rams (6-6, lost to ARI)
11. san francisco 49ers (5-7, victory over DAL)
12. dallas cowboys (5-7, lost to SF)
13. new orleans saints (4-8, 2-3 NFC South, 3-5 NFC)
14. chicago bears (4-8, 2-5 NFC)*
15. carolina panthers (3-9)
16. new york giants (2-10)* excluded
Teams marked with an asterisk have been eliminated from the divisional race.
Teams marked with an “x” qualify for the playoffs
The team with “y” won the division
