At first glance, the Green Bay Packers picking up a win on Sunday didn’t seem like good news for Detroit. But once the full slate of games wrapped up, the bigger picture told a much different story — one that actually worked in the Lions’ favor.
Despite the Packers handling their business, several results elsewhere across the NFC helped the Lions gain ground in the playoff race. Losses by conference rivals tightened the wild-card picture and reduced pressure on Detroit, especially as head-to-head tiebreaker scenarios continue to come into focus. In short, the Lions didn’t need help from Green Bay to move forward — they found it everywhere else.
What makes this moment encouraging is how stable Detroit’s position remains. The Lions didn’t lose control of their destiny, and in some scenarios, their margin for error even improved. With upcoming matchups against direct competitors, Detroit is still firmly in a position where wins solve everything.
The takeaway from Sunday is simple: the playoff race is less about one rival’s win and more about the overall landscape. And right now, that landscape is shifting in Detroit’s favor.
As December football intensifies, the Lions don’t just need to win — they need clarity. Sunday delivered exactly that.
Playoff Update: Lions Still Make Progress After Busy Sunday
