The Detroit Lions were eliminated from playoff contention this past week, unable to beat the Max Brosmer-led Minnesota Vikings. It was an ugly performance defined by turnovers and an inability to take pressure off Jared Goff. Still, there is reason left for the Lions to stay motivated heading into Week 18 with a chance to make life far more difficult for a division rival. Detroit's season finale will be against a Chicago Bears team still fighting for the NFC's second playoff seed.
If you're going to be hosting a playoff game in the first round, this is the ideal position. The Green Bay Packers are locked into the final NFC seed no matter how the final week plays out. This gives Chicago a favorable matchup against a team that is incredibly banged up and is tilting in the wrong direction. However, another loss and the Bears would fall down a playoff slot in a far move concerning position for a potential wildcard round loss.
Fansided's Alex Shapiro pointed this out, "A Bears win or Eagles loss next week locks up the 2-seed for Chicago, & a rematch against the Packers at Soldier Field. If Bears lose and Eagles win next week, then Bears fall to 3 and host Rams/49ers/Seahawks." This is a trio of teams that are all far more daunting than taking on an injured Green Bay roster.
Lions Have the Chance to Set up Potential Bears Playoff Exit with Week 18 Upset Win
As one Chicago fan didn't hesitate to point out, taking on the Rams is obviously the worst-case scenario. This is the same Los Angeles roster that almost took down the Philadelphia Eagles a season ago in a snow game on the road. The Rams aren't daunted by any matchup and experience would unquestionably favor Los Angeles. Both the Seahawks and 49ers are great rosters as well and would have a real chance to send the Bears out in the first round.
While staying motivated might seem difficult, this wouldn't be the first time that Dan Campbell's team has embraced playing the role of spoiler. The Lions announced their arrival by beating Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers in a season finale where Detroit had nothing to play for, and a Packers win would've cemented their playoff spot. Rodgers was sent out with a loss, and Campbell's unit has been a consistently tough matchup in the three years since.
Now, the Lions have another chance to play this role, even if it isn't eliminating the Bears from playoff contention themselves. Beating Chicago creates a far tougher path and sets up a very likely wildcard exit for the inexperienced playoff team. With this in mind, Detroit has every reason to remain locked in, hoping to bring misery to another NFC North rival.