The 2024 playoffs kick off with the wild-card round on Saturday afternoon. Unlike last year, the Lions hold the NFC’s No. 1 seed, earning them a first-round bye.
Detroit’s playoff run begins in next weekend’s divisional round against the lowest remaining seed. This gives the Lions four possible opponents: the No. 4-seed L.A. Rams (10-7), No. 5-seed Minnesota Vikings (14-3), No. 6-seed Washington Commanders (12-5), and No. 7-seed Green Bay Packers (11-6).
If the Eagles and Buccaneers win their wild-card matchups against the Packers and Commanders, respectively, the Lions will face the winner of the Vikings-Rams game. However, if either the Eagles or Buccaneers lose, Detroit could face the Packers or Commanders instead.
Should the Packers upset the Eagles, it would set up a third matchup this season between Green Bay and Detroit at Ford Field.
Here’s a ranking of the Lions’ potential divisional-round opponents, from least to most challenging:
4) Washington Commanders
The Commanders rebounded from a 4-13 season in 2023 to finish 12-5 and second in the NFC East in 2024. This turnaround was led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who completed 69% of his passes for 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns, and just nine interceptions, earning a 100.1 passer rating and a 70.6 QBR (fourth-best in 2024). Daniels also excelled as a runner, leading the team with 891 rushing yards and six touchdowns. As a dual-threat QB, he could pose challenges for Aaron Glenn’s defense.
3) Minnesota Vikings
The Lions defeated the Vikings in their regular-season finale, dominating the second half and limiting QB Sam Darnold to a season-low 43.9% completion rate and a passer rating of 55.5. Despite having a top-10 offense (No. 9 in points scored) and defense (No. 5 in points allowed), Minnesota could struggle against Detroit for a third time this season.
2) Los Angeles Rams
A playoff rematch between Detroit’s Jared Goff and L.A.’s Matthew Stafford would be highly anticipated. The Rams nearly defeated the Lions at Ford Field in last year’s wild-card round and lost in overtime to Detroit to start the 2024 season. With Stafford healthy and throwing to Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, the Rams have the potential to upset the Lions and derail their Super Bowl aspirations.
1) Green Bay Packers
The Packers, who narrowly missed facing the Lions in last year’s NFC Championship, present the biggest challenge. Boasting a top-10 offense (No. 8 in points scored) and defense (No. 6 in points allowed), Green Bay is capable of pulling off an upset at Ford Field.
Quarterback Jordan Love is among the league’s best, and running back Josh Jacobs had a stellar
