In Week 15, the Detroit Lions lost their first game since Week 2 of the 2024 season, moving them to 12-2 on the year. While the Lions have already secured a spot in the playoffs and are currently still the No. 1 seed in the NFC, things are suddenly getting a little tighter with three games remaining in the regular season.

Let’s update where the NFC playoff rankings land after the Lions’ loss to the Buffalo Bills.

NOTE: This article has been updated following the conclusion of all Sunday games.

NFC North standings:

1. Lions: 12-2
2. Vikings: 11-2 – Play the Bears on “Monday Night Football”

3. Packers: 10-4

4. Bears: 4-9 – Play the Vikings on “Monday Night Football”

While the Vikings and Bears have yet to play their game, the NFC title will likely go to the Lions and Vikings since the Packers are mathematically almost eliminated.

Regardless of the Vikings-Bears outcome, the Lions will remain in first place in the NFC North after the conclusion of Week 15. Because even if the Vikings beat the Bears and improve their record to 12-2, the Lions will retain the tiebreaker after winning the head-to-head matchup earlier in the season.

Here’s a look at each team’s remaining schedule:

Lions:

• at Bears (4-9)
• at 49ers (6-7)
• vs. Vikings (11-2)

Vikings:

• vs. Bears (4-9) – on MNF
• at Seahawks (8-5)
• vs. Packers (9-4)
• at the Lions (12-1)

As far as the conference is concerned, the Lions’ loss will make things tighter at the top, but they will also remain in first place in the NFC due to tiebreakers.

NFC rankings

1. Lions: 12-2
2. Eagles: 12-2

3. Buccaneers: 8-6

4. Rams: 8-6

Although the Lions and Eagles have identical records, they have not played each other directly (first tiebreaker), so we must look at the team’s conference record to determine the second tiebreaker. The Lions have an 8-1 record against NFC opponents, while the Eagles have a 7-2 record, which is why the Lions remain in first place.

Since the Packers beat the Seahawks on Sunday night, the Rams move to the top of the NFC West and No. 4, while the Bucs move to No. 3. As with the Lions-Eagles, the ranking between the Rams and Bucs comes down to the conference record tiebreaker, with the Bucs having a record of 6-3 against NFC opponents and the Rams at 5-5.

Here’s what the rest of the NFC looks like ahead of this week’s primetime games.

Wildcard race (top 3 preliminary):

5. Vikings: 11-2 (play on MNF)
6. Packers: 10-4
7. Commanders: 9-5
8. Seahawks: 8-6
9. Cardinals: 7-7
10. Falcons: 6-7 (Playing on MNF)
11. 49ers: 6-8
12. Cowboys: 6-8

The Seahawks are also 8-6 (like the Rams and Bucs), but fall to No. 8 because the Rams hold the tiebreaker over them (a straight win). This NFC West could be the deciding outcome as the Seahawks and Rams face off in Week 18, although it’s fair to say Seattle has the tougher road ahead. In addition to playing each other, the Seahawks also play the Vikings and Bears, while the Rams face the Jets and Cardinals.

Mock draft

13. Saints: 5-9
14. Bears: 4-9 (Playing on MNF)
15. Panthers: 3-11
16. Giants: 2-12