OT Who do the Lions want to win tonight (NYG @ WAS)

Submitted by MaizenBlue93 on December 18th, 2022 at 5:00 PM

I think a lot of us have been eyeing the possibility of the playoffs for the last few weeks, at least. However, with the win today and improving to 7-7 it's impossible to ignore the possibility. 

 

It seems like a virtual lock if the Lions finish 3-0 (obviously no small feat.)

 

The Giants and Commanders are tied for the last two playoff spots currently, both at 7-5-1 and play each other tonight. 

 

Giants remaining schedule: @ WAS, @ MIN, IND, @PHI

 

Commanders remaining schedule: NYG, @ SF, CLE, @DAL

 

I'm thinking we want the Giants to win given there's a high probability that Philadelphia will be resting a lot of their starters in week 18? Commanders remaining schedule looks a bit more difficult regardless. 

KO Stradivarius

December 18th, 2022 at 5:06 PM ^

We've seen it before - Lions squeak into the playoffs then proceed to act like a baby seal and get clubbed by a highly seeded team.  Not sure I want to see that again.

EDIT: Except the last time when they played Dallas and got completely jobbed by that PI flag that was picked up late in the 4Q when they were driving to win it.  I'm all for the Lions to make the playoffs, but they need to play better when they do.

swn

December 18th, 2022 at 6:01 PM ^

I get the whole Lions meme stuff, but Shiela is not her dad, Brad Holmes seems like he's doing everything right, and this team looks to be better than expected in year 2 under Campbell. Most importantly, they don't look like classic Lions. Even in the good Stafford days, so much of that was heroics on his part in chaotic games.

mgoblue_in_bay

December 18th, 2022 at 6:40 PM ^

Agree, but

 Brad Holmes seems like he's doing everything right, and this team looks to be better than expected in year 2 under Campbell

Does have me worried in multiple ways, but mostly because "there's no way they can stay that good+lucky".  If they hit again on next year's 1st-3rd round picks, maybe I'll stop worrying about that (and instead worry some other team's gonna hire them away).

swn

December 18th, 2022 at 5:09 PM ^

The Cowboys might not have much to play for either (should be locked into playing the South winner), so I call that a wash. I think the Commanders are a bit better so in that sense better for them to win. The obvious take is we want the loser to lose again.

Hotel Putingrad

December 18th, 2022 at 5:28 PM ^

It doesn't matter who wins tonight, but we want whichever team loses to keep losing.

My hunch is Washington gets the #6 seed and we get the seventh (if Green Bay rolls over in the season finale or starts Jordan Love, having already been eliminated).

Honestly, I think we've got a 50-50 chance of beating Minnesota in the wild card round. (Of course, if SF catches MIN for the #2 seed, we have zero chance of beating them.)

ST3

December 18th, 2022 at 5:32 PM ^

I noticed that the Lions have the 4th best point differential in the NFC. That’s not saying a lot because the top 3 are well above the rest, but I would not have expected that at the beginning of the season. The lions are ascending. How high they reach is anyone’s guess, but I like the current trajectory.

uminks

December 18th, 2022 at 6:05 PM ^

I'd have to say after a horrible start the Lions have turned it around. I hope they can make the playoffs but finishing 8-8 or 7-9 is a step forward in rebuilding. Plus, they will have a lot of draft choices next year and can build on this season.

rdonahue87

December 18th, 2022 at 7:37 PM ^

Unless they tie again! Because 2 ties is the same as a win and a loss which would make that tiebreaker come right back into place.

 

Odds of a tie aren't great at all, but they've done it before so they can do it again! If this game ends in a tie then maybe it's really meant to be for the Lions.

NCBlue22

December 18th, 2022 at 8:11 PM ^

Here’s the math according to fivethirtyeight:

Lions odds right now - 42%

With tie - 54%

With NYG win - 42%

With WAS win - 41%

So tie is the right answer otherwise it doesn’t really matter.  I’d say I think WAS has a tougher closing schedule and are more likely to lose more games down the stretch.

FYI the Lions have a 97% chance of making playoffs if they win out.

The Deer Hunter

December 18th, 2022 at 9:29 PM ^

Agree OP that Philly won't likely have anything to play for week 18, but neither will Dallas, however Philly gets a bye week. So this is a basically a toss-up question. Either way the Lions need to win out and they can. If they lose one then they will need a small miracle.