The Detroit Lions have the opportunity to secure a spot in the playoffs before the end of the regular season, but they will need some assistance to do so. If the Lions manage to defeat the Chicago Bears in their Thanksgiving game on Thursday, they could potentially clinch a spot in the postseason. This would be possible under six different scenarios, one of which involves a loss or tie by the San Francisco 49ers.
Despite their impressive record of 10-1 and a nine-game winning streak, the Lions have not won a Thanksgiving game since 2016. In order to secure a playoff spot, they will need to break this streak and come out victorious against the Bears.
It is worth noting that the Lions have not made back-to-back playoff appearances since the mid-90s, when they earned three consecutive postseason bids from 1993 to 1995. A win on Thanksgiving would not only bring them closer to clinching a playoff spot but also help them establish themselves as legitimate contenders in the NFC.
In addition to the Lions, the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs also have the opportunity to secure playoff spots this week with wins over their respective opponents. The Bills, with a record of 9-2, will be facing the 49ers, while the Chiefs, who are currently 10-1, will take on the Las Vegas Raiders.
For those interested in meeting Detroit Lions reporter Dave Birkett, he will be signing copies of his new book, “Detroit Lions: An Illustrated Timeline,” at the Troy Sports Card Show on November 30th. This event will take place at the Balkan American Community Center from noon to 2 p.m. For more information on how to order a copy of the book or to reach out to Dave Birkett, you can contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Be sure to follow him on social media platforms such as Bluesky, X, and Instagram at @davebirkett for the latest updates and insights on the Detroit Lions.
