The Lions would have officially clinched their first playoff appearance in seven seasons if the Seattle Seahawks had lost to the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football. Philadelphia scored on its first possession and never trailed for the next 59 minutes and 32 seconds.
The Eagles punted the ball down to the Seahawks’ 8-yard line with less than two minutes remaining and a 17-13 lead. All Matt Patricia’s defense had to do was not allow a backup quarterback to drive 92 yards for a touchdown in a minute and 52 seconds.
But that was asking too much of the former Lions head coach.
Drew Lock led a 10-play, 92-yard drive, and the Seahawks sealed the victory with an interception on the Eagles’ next possession.
So the Lions still need one win or any loss by the Rams, Seahawks, or Vikings to clinch a playoff spot. The Lions can only miss the playoffs if they lose their final three games, Minnesota beats Green Bay, and both the Rams and Seahawks go 3-0.
The reason Monday night’s outcome may have been better for the Lions is that they now control their own destiny in the race for the NFC’s No. 2 overall seed.
San Francisco has a commanding lead in the conference, but with the Eagles dropping to 10-4, the Lions are tied for second place. The Lions will earn the No. 2 seed if both the Lions and the Eagles win their final three games, thanks to the “common opponents” tiebreaker.
With one more win or a Vikings loss, Detroit can clinch the NFC North Division. Because two of their final three games are against the Vikings, the division title is firmly in their hands.
Between those two Vikings games, the team will travel to Dallas to face the 10-4 Cowboys. The Lions face a difficult final stretch, but they control their own destiny.
Leave a Reply