Detroit Lions Week 12 rooting guide: How Detroit can retake playoff spot

The Detroit Lions enter Week 12 in unfamiliar territory: out of an NFC playoff spot. With seven weeks of the league still remaining, there is plenty of time left for Detroit to climb their way back into the postseason. In fact, they still remain in control of their own destiny. Winning out would guarantee them a third straight NFC North title and a top-three seed in the NFC.

Of course, given Detroit’s difficult schedule, winning out is a pretty tough ask of this team right now. So let’s look across the NFL’s Week 12 slate and find out which games could help Detroit’s chances to make the playoffs. Here’s your weekly Detroit Lions rooting guide:

Steelers (6-4) at Bears (7-3) — 1 p.m. ET — CBS

Who to root for: Steelers

This is one of the most important games of the week for the Lions. Many are predicting a huge fallout in Chicago, given their difficult schedule. A loss to Pittsburgh would mean Detroit could catch the Bears with a win over the Giants, given that the Lions have the head-to-head tiebreaker at the moment.

Vikings (4-6) at Packers (6-3-1-) — 1 p.m. ET — FOX

Who to root for: Vikings

While the Lions don’t want the Vikings back in the playoff mix necessarily, the Packers are the biggest concern with a better record right now. A Bears and Packers loss this week, plus a Lions win, means Detroit would regain the lead in the NFC North, setting up a huge Thanksgiving game between Detroit and Green Bay.

Seahawks (7-3) at Titans (1-9) — 1 p.m. ET — FOX

Who to root for: Titans

Always AFC over NFC. Not much hope here for an upset—Seattle is 12.5-point favorites—but Detroit could come within striking distance of the Seahawks if they tally their fourth loss of the season.

Jaguars (6-4) at Cardinals (3-7) — 4:05 p.m. ET — CBS

Who to root for: Jaguars

This game doesn’t really matter at all, as the Cardinals’ playoff chances are beyond slim, but AFC over NFC, always.

Eagles (8-2) at Cowboys (4-5-1) — 4:25 p.m. ET — FOX

Who to root for: Eagles

After Detroit lost to Philadelphia, the No. 1 seed in the NFC should no longer be a realistic goal for this team. They essentially find themselves three games back (two games plus a tiebreaker) with seven weeks to go. So, instead, let’s clear out as many Wild Card contenders as possible to ensure a postseason spot. If the Cowboys lose on Sunday night, their best possible record will be 10-6-1, and with games against the Chiefs, Lions, and Chargers remaining, even that seems unlikely.