Updated Detroit Lions Playoff Scenarios

Originally posted on Detroit Lions on SI | By Vito Chirco | Last updated Jan 7, 2024 8:01 AM ET

The regular season finale has finally arrived for the Detroit Lions and the rest of the NFL's 32 franchises.

Although the Lions have already wrapped up the NFC North division title, the team's first-round playoff opponent has yet to be determined. In fact, there is still a handful of teams that Detroit could end up facing in the wild card round of the postseason.

Without further ado, here is All Lions' attempt at making sense of all the different scenarios that are still in play for Detroit headed into Week 18.

Lions earn the No. 2 seed if the following occurs:

Lions beat Vikings
Commanders beat Cowboys
Giants beat Eagles

If this happens, the Lions have a chance to face one of five – yes, FIVE – different opponents when the playoffs open up next week. Here are each of those opponents and the scenarios that need to play out.

Opponent No. 1: Los Angeles Rams

Scenario

49ers beat Rams
Packers beat Bears

Opponent No. 2: Green Bay Packers

Scenario No. 1

Rams beat 49ers
Packers beat Bears

-OR-

Scenario No. 2

Cardinals beat Seahawks
Panthers beat Buccaneers or Falcons beat Saints
Rams beat 49ers or Bears beat Packers

Opponent No. 3: Seattle Seahawks

Scenario

Seahawks beat Cardinals
Bears beat Packers

Opponent No. 4: New Orleans Saints

Scenario

Saints beat Falcons
Cardinals beat Seahawks
Bears beat Packers
Buccaneers beat Panthers

Opponent No. 5: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Scenario

Buccaneers tie Panthers
Cardinals beat Seahawks
Bears beat Packers
Saints beat Falcons

Lions earn the No. 3 seed if any of the following occurs:

Vikings beat Lions
Cowboys beat Commanders
Eagles beat Giants

If any of the above happens, the Lions will face either Jordan Love and the Packers or Matthew Stafford and the Rams. Here are the scenarios that need to play out.

Opponent No. 1: L.A. Rams

Scenario No. 1