The Detroit Lions suffered a 48-42 defeat to the Buffalo Bills in Week 15 at home, as Dan Campbell’s squad struggled to contain Josh Allen and the Bills’ potent offense and came out the gate a bit sluggish. Detroit trailed for most of the afternoon on Sunday and had their 11-game winning streak snapped.
Though Detroit’s loss to Buffalo is disappointing, the team is still in a very good position heading into the final three games of the season. The Lions are 12-2 through 14 contests and are still atop the NFC North, but the Minnesota Vikings’ victory over the Chicago Bears on Monday Night makes things a bit interesting in the division.
The Vikings tallied a 30-12 victory over the Bears on Monday Night Football in Week 15, improving their record to 12-2. Though Detroit and Minnesota have the same record heading into Week 16, the Lions will stay in first place in the NFC North due to winning the head-to-head matchup versus the Vikings in Week 7.
NFC North standings
1. Detroit Lions (12-2)
2. Minnesota Vikings (12-2)
3. Green Bay Packers (10-4)
4. Chicago Bears (4-10)
Despite the Philadelphia Eagles also moving to 12-2 with their victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday in Week 15, Detroit will also retain the No.1 seed in the NFC due to having a better conference record versus Philadelphia. The Lions are 8-2 versus NFC teams, while the Eagles are 7-2 versus NFC teams.
The Lions will square off against the Vikings in Week 18, and that game could be for the NFC North title and potentially the No.1 seed in the NFC, depending on how the next two weeks transpire. The Green Bay Packers could still win the division, as Matt LaFleur’s squad notched a nice victory over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 15 and sits at 10-4. But Green Bay has already been swept by the Lions this year and lost a head-to-head matchup versus the Vikings in Week 4, so they’ll need some help.
So, long story short: Detroit still has a lot of work to do in order to secure their second straight division title and the No.1 seed in the NFC.
