The Lions rebounded in a big way on Sunday, from their Week 16 loss at Carolina, routing the Bears 41-10 at home in Week 17 to improve to 8-8 for the 2022 NFL season.
Detroit regained some momentum to get back to .500, reheating its wild-card hopes with Washington losing and Seattle and Green Bay yet to play on Sunday.
Here's breaking down where the Lions currently stand in the NFL playoff picture:
MORE: Updated AFC, NFC playoff picture for Week 17 of 2022 season
Lions playoff picture
The Lions were briefly in the No. 7 position and final NFC wild-card spot at 8-8 before the Seahawks won. Now the Seahawks (8-8) hold No. 7 going into Week 18 with the Lions at No. 8 and the Packers (8-8), at No. 9.
The Commanders (7-8-1), the No. 10 team in the NFC, were eliminated by the Lions, Seahawks and Packers all winning.
What playoff tiebreakers are in the Lions' favor?
The Lions lost to the Seahawks at home in Week 4. They did beat the Packers at home in Week 9 and they have a rematch with that team in Green Bay in Week 18.
MORE: Explaining of NFL's tiebreakers work for playoff picture
Lions' remaining schedule
The Lions must travel to Lambeau Field to close the regular season against the Packers. If the Lions win, they would need the Seahawks to lose to make the playoffs. If the Packers win, the Packers would be in the playoffs while the Lions are eliminated.
Can the Lions still make the playoffs?
The Lions are looking at a 35 percent to make the playoffs now, improving their chances from about 25 percent going into Week 17. They are playing well again and have a golden opportunity against the Packers. But they also need help from the Rams beating the Seahawks to earn the final wild-card spot.
