Oh, did you think that our Detroit Lions rooting guide died with the team\u2019s playoff chances? Absolutely not. We just shift the focus to 2026 and the things that could help this franchise bounce back in a big way next season.<\/p>\n
Yes, it\u2019s time to talk about 2026 NFL Draft position for these 8-8 Detroit Lions.<\/p>\n
Look, I don\u2019t like it. You probably don\u2019t like it. But it\u2019s the reality that we\u2019re facing here. The playoffs or over, so if you look at things practically, the best outcomes are those that help improve draft position\u2014and possibly the 2026 schedule\u2014and, yes, that would include a Lions loss to the Chicago Bears in Week 18.<\/p>\n
As of right now, the Lions could finish no worse than an 8-9 record. With 10 teams already at 6-10 or worse, Detroit will not finish the season with a top-10 pick. But they could get close.<\/p>\n
So in Part 1 of our Week 17 Rooting Guide, we\u2019re going to look at the two Saturday games and pick the best possible outcomes for the Lions. Part 2, with Sunday\u2019s games, will drop Sunday morning.<\/p>\n
Texans at Chargers \u2014 4:30 p.m. ET \u2014 NFL Network<\/p>\n
Okay, this one is a bit complicated, and, in all honesty, it\u2019s a bit of a stretch.<\/p>\n
The Texans can clinch a playoff spot with a win. And if they win and the Jaguars beat the Colts, Jacksonville will clinch the AFC South\u2014leaving the Texans with nothing to play for in Week 18. That\u2019s semi-important, because they play the 8-7 Colts in Week 18. The Colts could catch the Lions in the draft pick race if they lose both of their remaining games (dropping to 8-9) and the Lions win their finale against the Bears (jumping to 9-8). If both teams lose out and finish 8-9, the Lions will likely stay ahead of the Colts in draft position because of strength of schedule. The lower strength of schedule picks first, and it\u2019s not very close between the two teams right now: Lions: 0.494, Colts: 0.537, per Tankathon<\/a>.<\/p>\n So, in short, we want the Texans playing for nothing in Week 18, increasing the chances of a Colts win over Houston. But if the Lions just lose to the Bears in Week 18, this game will not really matter. The Colts won\u2019t catch them.<\/p>\n Note: The Colts\u2019 first-round pick is currently owned by the Jets, but its order is still determined by how Indianapolis finishes the season. <\/p>\n Ravens at Packers \u2014 8 p.m. ET \u2014 Peacock<\/p>\n A Ravens win provides two benefits.<\/p>\n