Football
Detroit Lions Playoff Chances 2026
2-2 · 3rd in NFC North
The Detroit Lions (2-2) sit 3rd in the NFC North, two games behind the Minnesota Vikings and have a 41% chance to make the playoffs. They have beaten the Saints and the Jets, and have 13 games left.
Updated Sat Oct 10 · 4:48 AM ET · 20,000 simulated seasons · How it works
Make playoffs
41%
Win NFC North
12%
Projected wins
8.9
of 17 games
What this week is worth
Week 5 at Cardinals
- With a win
- 52%
- With a loss
- 24%
- Swing
- 28 pts
Final win total
1%3
2%4
5%5
8%6
13%7
15%8
16%9
15%10
12%11
8%12
4%13
1%14
Most likely: 9 wins (16%)
Playoff seed
- Seed 13%
- Seed 26%
- Seed 33%
- Seed 41%
- Seed 57%
- Seed 611%
- Seed 711%
- Miss playoffs59%
Division: Alive · Playoffs: Alive · Magic numbers
NFC North race
| Pos | Team | W-L-T | GB | DIV | CONF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Minnesota Vikings | 4-0 | — | 2-0 | 3-0 |
| 2 |  Chicago Bears | 3-1 | 1 | 0-1 | 2-1 |
| 3 | Detroit Lions | 2-2 | 2 | 0-0 | 1-1 |
| 4 |  Green Bay Packers | 2-2 | 2 | 0-1 | 1-2 |
Teams with identical win percentages share a position.
Head-to-head vs division rivals
Minnesota Vikings
- Upcoming · Home · Week 8 · Sun, Nov 1
- Upcoming · Away · Week 15 · Sun, Dec 20
Chicago Bears
- Upcoming · Home · Week 12 · Thu, Nov 26
- Upcoming · Away · Week 17 · Sun, Jan 3
Green Bay Packers
- Upcoming · Home · Week 7 · Sun, Oct 25
- Upcoming · Away · Week 18 · Sun, Jan 10
Results so far
| Wk | Opponent | Site | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | vsNew Orleans Saints | Home | W 31–30 |
| 2 | @Buffalo Bills | Away | L 31–41 |
| 3 | vsNew York Jets | Home | W 31–24 |
| 4 | @Carolina Panthers | Away | L 26–32 |
Remaining schedule
Remaining strength of schedule: .509 combined opponent win percentage — 15th toughest of 32.
| Wk | Date | Opponent | Site | Opp record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Sun, Oct 11 | @Arizona Cardinals | Away | 1-3 |
| 7 | Sun, Oct 25 | vsGreen Bay Packers | Home | 2-2 |
| 8 | Sun, Nov 1 | vsMinnesota Vikings | Home | 4-0 |
| 9 | Sun, Nov 8 | @Miami Dolphins | Away | 0-4 |
| 10 | Sun, Nov 15 | vsNew England Patriots | Neutral · FC Bayern Munich Stadium | 2-2 |
| 11 | Sun, Nov 22 | vsTampa Bay Buccaneers | Home | 1-4 |
| 12 | Thu, Nov 26 | vsChicago Bears | Home | 3-1 |
| 13 | Sun, Dec 6 | @Atlanta Falcons | Away | 2-2 |
| 14 | Sun, Dec 13 | vsTennessee Titans | Home | 0-4 |
| 15 | Sun, Dec 20 | @Minnesota Vikings | Away | 4-0 |
| 16 | Mon, Dec 28 | vsNew York Giants | Home | 3-1 |
| 17 | Sun, Jan 3 | @Chicago Bears | Away | 3-1 |
| 18 | Sun, Jan 10 | @Green Bay Packers | Away | 2-2 |
FAQ
- What are the Detroit Lions' chances of making the playoffs?
- The Lions have a 41% chance to make the 2026 playoffs and a 12% chance to win the NFC North, based on 20,000 simulations of the rest of the season.
- What is the Lions' record in 2026?
- The Detroit Lions are 2-2 (0-0 in division games, 1-1 in conference games), 3rd in NFC North.
- Who do the Lions play next?
- The Lions play on the road against the Arizona Cardinals (1-3) in Week 5 on Sun, Oct 11.
- How many games do the Lions have left?
- The Lions have 13 regular-season games left after playing 4.
Related
Updated OCT 9 · 11:02 PM ET