ALLEN PARK — The Detroit have already have clinched their spot in the postseason. But there are bigger fish to fry concerning the No. 1 seed and repeating as NFC North champions.
Detroit’s win over the Green Bay Packers was significant for both of those remaining milestones. It clinched a season sweep of the Packers and kept the surging Philadelphia Eagles (11-2) and Minnesota Vikings (11-2) at bay.
There is a hint of cruelty to the fact the Lions are riding a franchise-record 11-game win streak and still fighting for breathing room. The NFC North is the best division in football, and the Eagles have won nine straight games, as well.
After Sunday’s games, with the Eagles hanging on against the Carolina Panthers and the Vikings blowing out the Atlanta Falcons, the Lions (12-1) have an 80% chance of landing the NFC’s top seed.
The Lions host the Buffalo Bills (10-3) in a potential Super Bowl preview this weekend. The Vikings host the Chicago Bears on on Monday night, and, like Detroit, Philadelphia has a tough intra-conference matchup, hosting Pittsburgh.
Looking ahead, the Lions would have 87% odds at the NFC’s No. 1 seed even if they and the Eagles both win this weekend, too. A loss to the Bills paired with a Philly win over the Steelers, though, and those chances fall to 64%. Since things are so close, let’s go over the NFL’s tiebreaking scenarios.
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