UPDATE: The Detroit Lions are on the brink of crucial decisions as they head into their Week 18 showdown against the Chicago Bears today. With a current record of 8-8, the Lions have been eliminated from playoff contention, placing them at No. 15 in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. The stakes couldn’t be higher as a loss could dramatically alter their draft position.
As it stands, if the Lions lose, they could slide as high as 12th in the draft order, contingent on key matchups today involving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons, and Dallas Cowboys. Specifically, the Buccaneers need to defeat the Carolina Panthers, the Falcons must overcome the New Orleans Saints, and the Cowboys need a win against the New York Giants. These outcomes would boost the Lions’ draft prospects considerably.
In the event of a victory today, the Lions could finish the season with a record of 9-8, marking their first winning season since 2021. However, this would also mean they could drop to as low as 18th in the draft order, depending on how other teams perform.
The current first-round draft order entering Week 18 is as follows, according to Tankathon.com:
– No. 11: Miami Dolphins, 7-9, at New England
– No. 12: Atlanta Falcons, 7-9, vs. New Orleans
– No. 13: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 7-9, vs. Carolina
– No. 14: Dallas Cowboys, 7-8-1, at New York Giants
– No. 15: Detroit Lions, 8-8, at Chicago
– No. 16: Baltimore Ravens, 8-8, at Pittsburgh
– No. 17: Minnesota Vikings, 8-8, vs. Green Bay
– No. 18: Indianapolis Colts, 8-8, at Houston
Detroit’s draft strategy is further complicated by the need for a favorable strength of schedule. Currently, their strength ranks at .491, slightly ahead of the Dolphins’ .485. A loss today could secure a fourth-place schedule for the Lions in 2026, significantly impacting their matchup opportunities.
The Lions are set to have a minimum of seven draft picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, scheduled for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. Despite not holding a third-round pick due to a previous trade, they are projected to receive at least one compensatory choice, potentially a fifth-round pick, as a result of free agency losses.
What happens next? Fans will be eagerly watching the Lions’ game today, not only for the outcome of this season but also for its implications on the future of the franchise. With so much riding on the next few hours, the Lions’ fate could shift dramatically as they battle the Bears.
Stay tuned for live updates as the game unfolds and the implications for the Lions’ draft strategy become clearer.
