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NFL power rankings: Rams, Packers top Detroit Lions' possible first-round playoff matchup
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- NFL power rankings: Rams, Packers top Detroit Lions' possible first-round playoff matchup
And then there were two — primary options, at least.
The Detroit Lions are a good bet to be the No. 3 seed when the NFC playoffs open next week, and their likely opponent is either the Los Angeles Rams or the Green Bay Packers .
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The Lions could climb as high as the No. 2 seed, if they beat the Minnesota Vikings and the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles both lose their season finales, and that would open a handful of other postseason possibilities.
The Seattle Seahawks , New Orleans Saints , Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Vikings all could wind up as the seven seed with a little help.
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Detroit Lions linebacker Julian Okwara (99) tries to block a pass from Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the first half at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. on Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021.
But if the Lions remain in the three spot, they will play the Rams in Round 1 if the Rams beat the San Francisco 49ers or the Packers lose to the Chicago Bears , or the Packers if Green Bay wins its final game and the Rams lose at San Francisco.
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A Lions-Rams first-round matchup would be TV gold.
Matthew Stafford coming back to Ford Field to try and beat the team he never could lead to postseason success. Jared Goff facing the coach and team who gave up on him three years ago. And the Lions in their first home playoff game in 30 years.
Lions-Packers wouldn't be half bad, either. The long-standing rivals split their season series . The Lions spoiled the Packers' playoff hopes with a win at Lambeau Field in Week 18 last season. And Green Bay was the last team to beat the Lions in a home playoff game at the Pontiac Silverdome in January of 1994.
Either way, the Lions will be home next week, and if the Cowboys beat the Washington Commanders to clinch the NFC East, they'd have a compelling potential divisional round rematch looming in Dallas.
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Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff is rushed by Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Kenny Clark during the first half at Ford Field, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023.
This week's power rankings
1. Baltimore Ravens (13-3)
2. San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
3. Dallas Cowboys (11-5)
4. Detroit Lions (11-5)
5. Miami Dolphins (11-5)
6. Buffalo Bills (10-6)
7. Cleveland Browns (11-5)
8. Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)
9. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)
10. Los Angeles Rams (9-7)
11. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-7)
12. Houston Texans (9-7)
13. Indianapolis Colts (9-7)
14. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin watches over his team before playing the Detroit Lions at Heinz Field on August 21, 2021.
15. Chicago Bears (7-9)
16. Seattle Seahawks (8-8)
17. Green Bay Packers (8-8)
18. New Orleans Saints (8-8)
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19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8)
20. Las Vegas Raiders (7-9)
21. Cincinnati Bengals (8-8)
22. Minnesota Vikings (7-9)
23. Denver Broncos (8-8)
24. Atlanta Falcons (7-9)
25. New York Jets (6-10)
26. Tennessee Titans (5-11)
27. New York Giants (5-11)
28. Los Angeles Chargers (5-11)
29. Arizona Cardinals (4-12)
30. Washington Commanders (4-12)
31. New England Patriots (4-12)
32. Carolina Panthers (2-14)
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com . Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: NFL power rankings: Rams, Packers top Lions' possible playoff foes
