How the Lions can win the NFC North title, the conference’s No. 1 seed in week 17

On By Littum

The Detroit Lions punched their ticket to the postseason weeks ago, but now have their sights set on winning the NFC North and the No. 1 seed in the conference, two things they can accomplish this week.

The Lions enter Week 17 atop the NFC North and the conference, but they are tied with Minnesota Vikings at 13-2, and the Philadelphia Eagles is on the heels of no. 1 seed at 12.-3.

The Lions currently own the edge over the Vikings due to their win over Minnesota earlier in the season. The two teams meet again in Week 18, but there’s a chance the game will be meaningless for Detroit.

How the Lions Can Win the NFC North, No. 1 seed

If the Vikings lose to Green Bay Packers and the lions struck San Francisco 49ersDetroit officially becomes the NFC North champs and no. 1 seed, which would give the Lions home court advantage in the playoffs.

But if the Vikings are able to beat the Packers this week, the Week 18 contest between Detroit and Minnesota will be for everyone regardless of the outcome of Detroit’s Monday night showdown with the 49ers.

The Eagles are still hanging around for the No. 1 seed. 1, but they will need help. Philly has to win and the Lions and Vikings have to lose in Week 17 AND the Vikings have to beat the Lions in Week 18 for the Eagles to get a bye.

Philly’s quest to grab the No. 1 seed over the past two weeks took a hit after starting quarterback Jalen Hurts was excluded in week 17 due to a concussion, which will force the unreliable Kenny Pickett to start.

Eagles draw matches Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants to close the season. They haven’t locked up the NFC East yet and could cough up the division by losing combined with Washington’s commanders win out.

Philadelphia will host Dallas in the 1 pm ET slate, while the Vikings and Packers meet at 4:25 PM ET. The Lions and 49ers close out the week on Monday night, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. 8:15 PM ET.

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