Following the Detroit Lions' controversial loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the path to making it to the playoffs is incredibly simple. Detroit must find a way to win the final two games against the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears, with the Packers needing to lose out. A Green Bay win, or a Detroit loss, would eliminate the Lions and end any hopes of making a surprise late-season run.
With this in mind, let's examine the final four games of the season, ranking the most to least likely results. This includes the final two games of both Detroit and Green Bay's season, with the margin for error being incredibly thin due to the Lions' recent defensive collapse.
1. Lions Beat Vikings in Week 17
The Detroit Lions were on the doorstep of beating the Steelers last week and had an obvious level of desperation. Despite being unable to establish the running game, the Lions still put up 24 points and had two touchdowns called back due to penalties. With this in mind, it seems improbable that in a must-win situation, Minnesota's offense is going to be capable of keeping up with Detroit's.
Second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy has struggled this season, throwing for only 1,450 yards and 12 interceptions to only 11 touchdowns. Even the Lions' struggling defense is going to have a chance to slow down the young quarterback and help put the visitors from the Motor City in the driver's seat early in the game.
2. Ravens Beat Packers in Week 17
Both Jordan Love and Malik Willis are dealing with notable injuries, leaving at the very least a legitimate possibility that the Packers will play the Ravens with Clayton Tune at quarterback. If Love can get out of concussion protocol, this game feels far different, and Lions fans have every reason for concern. However, they are aided by the fact that the Ravens are desperately trying to keep pace with the AFC North-leading Steelers.
You have a desperate Baltimore team taking on an injury-riddled Packer roster, perfectly setting the stage to keep Detroit alive. Green Bay has dropped its last two games, and dropping a third would unquestionably create a mental hurdle for the season's final week with the playoffs potentially on the line.
3. Lions Beat Bears in Week 18
This matchup will depend greatly on how seriously Chicago takes it and whether the franchise is in a position to continue to make a push towards the top of the NFC. If the Bears have a chance at the top seed, they are going to give the Lions their best shot, and that should scare a franchise that hasn't stopped anyone.
It is also an interesting potential story of former Chicago offensive coordinator Ben Johnson knocking his old team out of playoff contention. Even if this game means nothing to the Bears in terms of playoff positioning, there could be an obvious motivation for Johnson to want to show his old team exactly what they're missing.
This is to say nothing of the obvious divisional rivalry that demands a hard-fought game. Regardless of the answer, if the Lions are still alive after Week 17, it will be an uphill battle.
4. Vikings Beat Packers in Week 18
This is where things grow truly dark, with the Lions needing to rely on McCarthy and the defense of Brian Flores to deliver in the season's final week. Even if all goes Detroit's way next week, it is realistically hard to see the Packers fumbling this opportunity. Whether it is Jordan Love or Malik Willis, one of the better quarterback options should be back in the Green Bay lineup.
Love is on concussion protocol and seems likely to be back by the final week of the regular season. No question, this is the most difficult game on the schedule to fall Detroit's way. The first time that these two teams matched up, the Packers easily prevailed, winning 23-6.
This paints a bleak picture for Detroit fans hoping for a miracle in the last two weeks of the season. The fan base is facing an increasing possibility of missing the postseason and falling far short of 2025 expectations.