The Chicago Bears’ dramatic comeback victory over the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night reshaped the Detroit Lions’ postseason outlook, leaving Detroit dependent on help from others instead of controlling its own fate.
Chicago erased a late deficit by scoring twice after the two-minute warning in the fourth quarter, forcing overtime before finishing off Green Bay in extra time.

The result marked one of the Bears’ most significant wins at Soldier Field in years. For Lions fans, the overtime period brought tension, as a tie combined with a Detroit loss to Pittsburgh would have eliminated the Lions immediately. That worst-case scenario didn’t happen.

Because of Chicago’s win, Detroit now must both take care of business and rely on favorable results elsewhere. The Lions need to win their final three games, and they’ll need losses from teams ahead of them in the standings to sneak into the playoffs.
One path is straightforward: if Chicago loses to the San Francisco 49ers next week and then falls to Detroit in Week 18, the Lions would earn a playoff berth.

Another route involves Green Bay — if Detroit wins out and the Packers drop at least one of their final two games against either the Baltimore Ravens or Minnesota Vikings, the Lions would also qualify.
Before Saturday night, Detroit’s playoff probability sat at 27%, according to the New York Times playoff simulator.

After the Bears’ overtime win, that number dipped to 22%. Interestingly, while their overall playoff chances declined, Detroit’s odds of winning the NFC North actually rose to 7%. A division title would require the Lions to win their remaining games, Green Bay to lose once, and Chicago to fall to San Francisco next week.
If Detroit defeats Pittsburgh on Sunday, their postseason chances would jump to 31%, per the same model.

San Francisco still has motivation, as the 49ers remain in contention for the NFC’s top seed. That makes their upcoming matchup with Chicago especially important for Detroit’s hopes.

Seattle’s win over the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday further narrowed Detroit’s options. At this point, the Lions can only realistically catch the Bears, Packers, or 49ers in the standings. Passing San Francisco would require Detroit to finish the season undefeated while the 49ers lose all three of their remaining games against Indianapolis, Chicago, and Seattle.

For Detroit, consistency remains a hurdle. The Lions haven’t won back-to-back games since Weeks 4 and 5, when they defeated Cleveland and Cincinnati. Since then, they’ve alternated wins and losses, leaving them at 8–6.

Only Detroit and Carolina remain alive in the NFC while sitting outside the current playoff field. The NFC South is expected to send just one team to the postseason, limiting its impact on the race. Elsewhere, Philadelphia clinched its spot Saturday, while Dallas was officially eliminated.

NFC North standings:
Chicago Bears (11–4)
Green Bay Packers (9–5–1)
Detroit Lions (8–6)
Minnesota Vikings (6–8)
Current NFC playoff picture:
Seattle Seahawks (12–3, clinched)
Chicago Bears (11–4)
Philadelphia Eagles (10–5, clinched)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7–7)
Los Angeles Rams (11–4, clinched)
San Francisco 49ers (10–4)
Green Bay Packers (9–5–1)
Still in the race: 8. Detroit Lions (8–6)
9. Carolina Panthers (7–7)
Remaining schedules:
Detroit: vs. Steelers, at Vikings, at Bears

Chicago: at 49ers, vs. Lions
Green Bay: vs. Ravens, at Vikings
San Francisco: at Colts, vs. Bears, vs. Seahawks
If you want, I can make it shorter, more casual, or more analytical depending on where you’re submitting it (school, blog, sports site, etc.).