The NFC North is a beast this season, and the division’s 2025-26 schedule across the division ranks among the toughest in the league. So, while the Detroit Lions losing to division rivals the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving Day, giving them a 7-5 record, was a setback for the Lions, there are other factors outside of their own games that positivity or negatively impact their chances to get to the big game.
For the Lions, it’s been a long road. Anyone who’s followed the team their entire lives knows that the Detroit Lions have never even been to the final game, let alone won it. So, when the team got to the NFC championship game in the 2023-24 season, it really felt like it was finally meant to be. But, as everyone knows the Lions lost in that game to the San Francisco 49ers in a 34-31 defeat after blowing a 17-point lead going into halftime.
Not to point fingers, but Lions head coach Dan Campbell had a decision, or a few, in that game that linger. The main one was a field goal in the fourth quarter that could have tied the game. Sure, that’s in the past, but it’s happening again, which is something the Lions have witnessed with so many fourth-down calls that have ended in failure this season.
It Just Got Harder for the Detroit Lions to Realize Their Dreams
It’s time to get real. It will be very difficult for the Detroit Lions to get to the championship game this season. It’s heartbreaking to say, but it’s the reality, because it just got harder.
The Lions are now 7-5, locked in third place in the NFC North behind the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers, according to research from the NFL, and after that painful Thanksgiving loss, their postseason odds cratered to roughly 32 percent, down from 73 percent just days ago, according to research from SI.
The Chicago Bears beating the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday, November 28, negatively impacts the Detroit Lions. The Bears’ win means they’re a solid No. 1 in the NFC North, and that hurts the Lions’ chances of getting a wild card spot. That’s even more the case because the Lions lost to the Packers on Thanksgiving.
So, after both the Bears win and Lions loss, Detroit’s chances of making the playoffs dropped in a big way. The make the playoffs, the Lions will likely have to win out their remaining games and may even need teams such as the Bears to lose.
Thanksgiving Disappointments for the Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are actually 1-8 in their past nine games on Thanksgiving, according to ESPN research. That’s not a good feeling.
“Like I told the team, ‘It’s frustrating, I know,” Campbell said after the crushing loss to the Packers. “We’ve got a lot to be thankful for even after a loss.” At least he has a positive take on it.
So, the Detroit Lions’ playoff dreams just took a nosedive. If they want a shot at the playoffs, Detroit’s going to have to claw back, and fast.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Detroit Lions Wake Up to Even More Bad News for Playoff Hopes appeared first on Heavy Sports.