Detroit Lions' playoff ticket on hold, but Eagles' loss opens viable path to No. 2 seed

Allen Park — The first batch of champagne will remain corked, at least for a few more days.

The Detroit Lions could have clinched a postseason berth on Monday night, but the Seattle Seahawks had other plans. And, believe it or not, so did a Matt Patricia-led defense.

Trailing by four points late in the fourth quarter against the defending NFC-champion Philadelphia Eagles, Seahawks' backup quarterback Drew Lock, making his first start since the 2021 season finale, led a game-winning drive that culminated with a 29-yard touchdown pass to rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba with 28 seconds remaining.

The Eagles' late defensive collapse coincidentally happened the same week the team named former Lions coach Matt Patricia as their defensive play-caller. Go figure.

All it really means the Lions will have to wait a little longer, and they'll have an opportunity to punch their own ticket into the postseason on Sunday. And with a better than 99% chance to qualify after earning their 10th win last Saturday against the Denver Broncos, Monday's outcome was actually the preferable option for Detroit.

That's because it opens the door to earn the No. 2 seed in the conference, and potentially a second playoff home game, if they win their final three games.

Here's a quick explainer of the scenario: Even if the Eagles win their final three games, Detroit would hold the tie-breaker, despite both finishing with identical 13-4 records. The teams would share the same conference record, the first applicable tie-breaker given they didn't face each other this season. From there it moves to best record in common games, and the Lions would be 5-1 in those matchups, against the Eagles' 4-2 mark.

For what it's worth, the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye also remain in play for the Lions. For that to happen, they would have to win out, while the San Francisco 49ers would need to lose two of their final three, given their firmly established tie-breaker advantages. That's unlikely, but not impossible. The 49ers have two tough matchups remaining, hosting both the Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Rams.

Of course, that's putting the cart in front of the horse. Detroit's next game is its most important. With a win Sunday in Minnesota, the Lions will not only clinch a playoff spot, but accomplish their primary goal entering the season — snapping a 30-year streak without a division title.

"Honestly, man, we came into this (season) saying we’ve got to win this division," Lions coach Dan Campbell said Monday afternoon, when asked what it would mean to have a playoff berth wrapped up later in the evening. "That’s the goal and that’s where it is. If something happens between now and then, hey, that’s all good, but that is our focus. We talked about that this morning as a team. That was the focus when we entered it and that is still the focus, man. We’re going to do everything we can to win this division and there’s nothing that’s going to be easy about it."

Following last Saturday's victory over the Broncos, Detroit's magic number to secure the NFC North crown is one; either a victory in their final three games or a Vikings loss. Not only do the teams play this weekend, but again in the season finale tentatively scheduled for Jan. 7.

Even longer than the stretch since their most recent division title is the Lions' last playoff victory. That came at the end of the 1991 season, when they smashed the Dallas Cowboys, 38-6, to advance to the NFC Championship. They would eventually exit a step short of the Super Bowl at the hands of eventual-champion Washington, who waxed the visiting Lions, 41-10.

Securing the division title ensures the Lions will play at least one playoff game at home next month. It would be the first postseason game the team has hosted at Ford Field in the stadium's 21-year history.

jdrogers@detroitnews.com

@Justin_Rogers