Lions' Playoff Path Gets Trickier After Bears' Thrilling Win

The Detroit Lions' journey to the playoffs just got a bit more complicated. The Chicago Bears pulled off an incredible comeback against the Green Bay Packers, making the Lions' path to the postseason less straightforward. With the Bears' victory, the Lions can no longer secure a playoff spot on their own. They now need help from other teams while also winning their remaining games. If the Bears lose their next two games, including one against the Lions, Detroit could still make it to the playoffs. The Lions' chances of making the playoffs dropped from 27% to 22% after the Bears' win. Interestingly, their odds of winning the NFC North division improved to 7%, though this is still a long shot. To boost their playoff chances to 31%, the Lions must first defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers. The upcoming games are crucial for Detroit, as they need to win all three to have any hope of catching up to the 49ers, Packers, or Bears.The Lions' last consecutive wins were back in Weeks 4 and 5. Since then, they've been inconsistent, alternating between wins and losses. Currently, they are 8-6, with the Carolina Panthers being the only other NFC team outside the playoff picture still in the running. The NFC North standings have the Bears at the top with an 11-4 record, followed by the Packers at 9-5-1, the Lions at 8-6, and the Minnesota Vikings at 6-8. The Lions' remaining schedule includes games against the Steelers, Vikings, and Bears. The Bears, meanwhile, face the 49ers and then the Lions. The Packers have games against the Baltimore Ravens and Vikings left. The 49ers, who are still in contention for the No. 1 seed, will play the Indianapolis Colts, Bears, and Seahawks.