The Detroit Lions may be out of playoff contention, but their season is far from meaningless. With several weeks left around the league, Lions fans still have plenty to watch—and plenty to root for. Every remaining game has the potential to impact Detroit’s 2026 draft position and even shape parts of next season’s schedule.
Here’s how it all breaks down.
📉 Draft Position: Why Losses Elsewhere Help Detroit
The Lions’ draft slot is determined by record, meaning the worse other non-playoff teams finish, the better Detroit’s position becomes. That makes games involving teams with similar or slightly better records extremely important.
Lions fans should root for:
Teams just ahead of Detroit in the standings to win games
Fringe playoff teams to make postseason pushes and separate themselves
AFC teams beating NFC bubble teams whenever possible
Every loss by a team near Detroit in the draft order could mean moving up a spot—or several.
📅 2026 Schedule: Who You Play Depends on Who Finishes Where
NFL schedules rotate, but one portion depends on division standings. Where the Lions finish in the NFC North will determine which same-place finishers from other divisions they face next season.
For Detroit, that means:
Finishing lower could lead to more favorable matchups
Finishing higher locks in tougher opponents from strong divisions
Every NFC North result still matters, even after elimination
It’s not glamorous, but it can make next season’s path much smoother.
👀 Why These Games Still Matter
While the playoff dream is gone, the Lions are entering a pivotal offseason. Draft capital, roster construction, and future flexibility all hinge on small margins—sometimes decided by games Detroit isn’t even playing in.
That makes this rooting guide essential viewing for Lions fans who understand the long game.
🧠 The Bigger Picture
Detroit’s front office will use every advantage it can get. Better draft position means more options—whether that’s selecting a cornerstone player or trading back for extra picks. A softer schedule could help the Lions rebound quickly and reset expectations.
The season may be over on the field, but behind the scenes, the chessboard is still moving.
Detroit Lions Rooting Guide: Draft Order, Schedule, and the Games That Matter
