Lions playoff picture: Updated chances for Detroit to make 2025 NFL postseason following Week 16 loss to Steelers originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Detroit Lions‘ talent screams “playoff team.” Their 2025 results, however, have not always agreed.

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After going 15-2 in 2024, the Lions have already tripled their loss total in 2025. Still, Dan Campbell’s squad came into Week 16 in the hunt for a playoff spot at 8-6 — even in a loaded NFC North and wild-card picture, the Lions are still able to make the final postseason field.

Following Sunday’s 29-24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, however, the Lions’ chances are growing slim.

Here’s an updated look at the Lions’ playoff picture after Week 16.

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Lions playoff picture

Sunday’s loss to the Steelers gives the Lions’ playoff chances a bleak outlook, although they are not mathematically ruled out. Detroit cannot win the NFC North — the Lions trail the division-leading Bears by three games, with two games remaining. Even with a matchup against Chicago remaining, Campbell’s team will not win the division.

That means a wild card spot is the only route to the playoffs for Detroit, and the Lions have to win out to get there, then get a lot of help.

Rank

Team

Record

1

Seattle Seahawks

12-3

2

Chicago Bears

11-4

3

Philadelphia Eagles

10-5

4

Carolina Panthers

8-7

5

Los Angeles Rams

11-4

6

San Francisco 49ers

10-4

7

Green Bay Packers

9-5-1

8

Detroit Lions

8-7

9

Minnesota Vikings

7-8

10

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

7-8

11

Dallas Cowboys – eliminated

6-8-1

At 8-7, the Lions’ playoff chances are low. The Athletic’s playoff predictor gives them just a 6% chance to make the bracket after losing in Week 16, with the entirety of those chances coming from the wild card.

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Detroit is the current eighth seed in the NFC standings, the top team in the hunt, but trailing the seventh-seeded Packers by a win plus Green Bay’s one tie, which could prove critical. If the Lions are going to make the playoffs, they need to win out (against the Vikings and Bears), then get help with the Packers losing out.

MORE: Updated AFC, NFC playoff pictures in Week 16

NFC North standings

With the loss, the Lions lose even more ground in the NFC North. Detroit now cannot mathematically win the division. The Lions’ only chance of making the playoffs is as a wild-card team. Detroit currently sits on the outside looking in of the playoff picture, so the Lions need to not only win out, but also need some help if they hope to make the playoffs.

Team

Record

Bears

11-4

Packers

9-5-1

Lions

8-7

Vikings – eliminated

7-8

MORE: Updated 2026 NFL Draft order in Week 16

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Lions remaining schedule

The Lions’ final two games both come against NFC North opponents. First, they’ll take on the Vikings in Minnesota, then they’ll travel to Chicago to take on the division-leading Bears.

Here’s Detroit’s remaining schedule:

Week

Opponent

17

at Vikings

18

at Bears