Over the last few decades, the Detroit Lions have played a lot of meaningless games on Thanksgiving Day.
But this year, not only does the annual Turkey Day fixture mean a whole lot — Detroit is currently fighting to stay atop the NFC — it could also be a clinching scenario.
The Lions would need to win and get a lot of outside help to secure a playoff spot this weekend, but it is indeed possible. Detroit is one of three teams (and the only NFC team) that can end up with a spot in the postseason based on this week’s results.
Here are the six scenarios where the Lions can clinch a playoff berth by the end of Week 13.
How can the Lions clinch a playoff spot in Week 13?
•Detroit win + San Francisco loss or tie + Arizona loss or tie + Seattle loss + Tampa Bay loss or tie
• Detroit win + San Francisco loss or tie + Arizona loss + Seattle tie + Tampa Bay loss or tie
• Detroit win + San Francisco loss or tie + Arizona loss or tie + Seattle loss + Washington loss or tie + Atlanta loss
• Detroit win + San Francisco loss or tie + Arizona loss or tie +Seattle loss + Washington loss + Atlanta tie
• Detroit win + San Francisco loss or tie + Arizona loss + Seattle tie + Washington loss or tie + Atlanta loss
• Detroit win + San Francisco loss or tie + Arizona loss + Seattle tie + Washington loss + Atlanta tie