The NFL has expanded to Saturday this week, and it means big stakes for the NFC playoff race—something that should have the attention of all Detroit Lions fans.
Saturday kicks off with a late afternoon
matchup (5 p.m. ET) between the Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles. While there is not much at stake for the Commanders, the Eagles can clinch the NFC East with a win. While that is mostly a formality at this point—the Cowboys currently have less than a 1% chance to catch them—it also keeps them in a solid place when it comes to seeding. The Eagles currently hold the three seed at 9-5, but could easily jump to the two seed if the Packers take the NFC North lead later in the day.
That game is not likely to matter to Lions fans, unless Detroit somehow manages to win the division on their own.
However, the nightcap is a game all Lions fans should be intensely watching. A Packers win and the Lions’ playoff odds jump to 32%. A Bears win and the Lions’ playoff odds drop to 22%. Everything at stake—plus playoff scenarios for each outcome—are explained thoroughly here. But the long and short of it is this: if the Bears lose, the Lions suddenly have control of their own playoff destiny again: a win-out equals the postseason.
So enjoy both games and you can chat about them as they happen in the comment section at the bottom of this page.
Here’s how to watch both games, as well.
How to watch Eagles at Commanders
Kickoff time: Saturday December, 20 — 5 p.m. ET
TV: FOX
Announcers: Joe Davis, Greg Olsen Pam Oliver
Streaming: NFL+
How to watch Packers at Bears
Kickoff time: Saturday December, 20 — 8:20 p.m. ET
TV: FOX
Announcers: Kevin Burkhardt, Tom Brady, Erin Andrews, Tom Rinaldi
Streaming: NFL+
