Odds provided below are before MNF between the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles.
The Detroit Lions need help on their injury report over the next few weeks.
That's because the NFC North, as predicted once the season kicked off, has quickly become one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL. The Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, and Lions all feel like they could snatch the crown and earn a bye week this postseason. Last year, the Minnesota Vikings were breathing down the Lions' neck all season long. This year, it's almost the entire division.
After their huge 44-22 win over the Washington Commanders in Week 10, the Lions are tied for second place in the NFC North with the Bears, while the Packers remain in front of both teams with an annoying 5-2-1 record. Ties always muck things up, but it seems like Detroit remains the favorite to eventually win the division.
Lions' postseason picture following demolition of Commanders
As of now, The Athletic has the Lions with the best odds to win the division despite the Packers' lead. Green Bay and Detroit both have excellent odds of making the postseason using their model, and the Lions have a 51 percent chance of winning the NFC North. Chicago, in this scenario, is booted from the postseason - same for Minnesota.
Per Tankathon, the Lions and Packers have similarly tough schedules ahead of them. Detroit still has games to play against the white-hot Los Angeles Rams, the Philadelphia Eagles, and a rematch with the Packers and Bears. The Pittsburgh Steelers are considered a "tough opponent" by Tankathon in this instance, but truthfully, it shouldn't be too hard to shake Aaron Rodgers with a strong defensive front attack.
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Seven out of the Lions' next eight opponents are in the NFC, with three of those seven remaining NFC games coming against NFC North squads. This is a tall order, but Detroit is going to have to go on quite a dominant run to try and topple Green Bay at this point. It also makes their Thanksgiving Day matchup all the more exciting.
If Detroit wins, a potential tiebreaker comes down to respective records against the NFC. If they lose, they need to nearly win out to ensure best odds in a record tiebreaker against the Packers, who have the benefit of a tie counting as a half win and a half loss.
If the season ended today, the Lions would face off with the Packers as the 6 seed, meaning a Wild Card match on the road. We know how the season opener went against Green Bay, so this scenario is a bit daunting if you're a Lions fan. But, with more chemistry built on the offensive line and plenty of runway to try and clinch a higher seed, it's possible Detroit can host Green Bay, instead.