The Detroit Lions’ playoff outlook became significantly more challenging following their Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. What was once an opportunity to gain ground in the NFC playoff race quickly turned into a fight for survival.

Detroit fell to 8–6 after the defeat, while several NFC contenders picked up crucial wins. The Chicago Bears (10–4) beat the Browns, the Seattle Seahawks (11–3) handled the Colts, the San Francisco 49ers (10–4) defeated the Titans, and the Philadelphia Eagles (9–5) knocked off the Raiders.

The lone positive for Detroit? The Green Bay Packers (9–4–1) suffered a loss to the Broncos.

Instead of closing the gap, the Lions now find themselves with almost no margin for error entering the final three weeks of the regular season.

How the NFL Playoff Format Impacts the Lions

The NFL playoff structure remains simple:

Each division winner earns an automatic playoff berth

The top three remaining teams in each conference qualify as wild cards

With multiple NFC teams already sitting at nine wins or more, the Lions are squarely in a crowded wild-card race, making every remaining game critical.

Detroit Lions Playoff Scenarios: What Must Happen

1. Lions Must Win Out

The Lions can no longer afford another loss.

Remaining schedule:

vs. Steelers

at Vikings

at Bears

Winning all three games would give Detroit an 11–6 record, keeping them firmly in the wild-card hunt.

2. Bears Must Slip Before Week 18

Chicago represents Detroit’s biggest obstacle.

Before hosting the Lions in Week 18, the Bears still face:

vs. Packers

at 49ers

Detroit needs Chicago to lose at least one of those games to have a realistic chance to leapfrog them in the standings.

3. NFC Wild Card Race Is More Competitive Than Ever

With Philadelphia at 9–5 and wins by Seattle and San Francisco, the NFC wild card field is packed with teams already ahead of Detroit.

That reality reinforces a single truth:

If the Lions don’t win out, their playoff hopes are likely over.

Bottom Line: Lions’ Playoff Path Is Narrow but Alive

The Detroit Lions failed to capitalize in Week 15, and the NFC playoff picture tightened around them as a result. Still, at 8–6, the season is not lost.

The roadmap is simple but unforgiving:

Win the final three games

Hope the Bears stumble

It’s not the path Detroit wanted — but it remains a path to the 2025 NFL postseason.