Detroit Lions Week 18 rooting guide: What helps NFL draft pick?

6 days ago 2

The Detroit Lions' regular-season finale is upon us with the NFL's Week 18 Sunday slate about set to boot off.

Sitting at 8-8, the Lions were eliminated from playoff contention after their Christmas Day loss at the Minnesota Vikings.

After the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 16-14 Saturday win over the Carolina Panthers, the door is open for the Lions to climb as high as pick No. 11 based on what happens around the NFL if the Lions lose at the Bears.

If the Lions beat the Bears on Sunday, the lowest Detroit could pick is No. 18. It's tough for fans to actively root for their team to lose, so, if that's not your flavor, then that makes complete and total sense.

But, if you're of the mind to see the Lions improve their 2026 NFL draft pick, here's what you should be rooting for in conjunction with a Lions loss at the Bears to see Detroit wind up with the No. 12 overall draft pick:

Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m. ET

Who to root for: Vikings

If the Minnesota Vikings win, the Lions are guaranteed a fourth-place schedule next season, which would mean that Detroit would face the New York Giants, Arizona Cardinals and Tennessee Titans instead of the Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Rams or San Francisco 49ers and Indianapolis Colts. Right now, that looks like a pretty big difference.

Plus, it would also ensure that the Lions draft before the Vikings.

New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m. ET

Who to root for: Falcons

If the Atlanta Falcons top the New Orleans Saints, they would pull even in the win-loss column with the Lions. From there, it would come down to the strength of schedule tiebreaker, which favors the Lions heading into Sunday's games.

Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants, 1 p.m. ET

Who to root for: Cowboys

If the Dallas Cowboys top the New York Giants, then the Lions would move ahead in the draft order, because Detroit would have one more loss than Dallas.

Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans, 1 p.m. ET

Who to root for: Colts

If the Indianapolis Colts can knock off the Houston Texans, the Lions would draft in front of Indy even if Detroit beats the Bears. That's because the Colts' strength of schedule is much, much stronger than the Lions, giving Detroit the SOS tiebreaker under the identical records scenario.

Baltimore Ravens at the Pittsburgh Steelers, 8:20 p.m. ET

Who to root for: Ravens

Similar to the Vikings and Colts, if the Ravens beat the Steelers, it would send Baltimore to the playoffs and send Pittsburgh packing. The Steelers' strength of schedule is going to be stronger than the Lions, meaning that Detroit is assured of picking in front of both the Ravens and Steelers under that scenario.

Other teams to root for to help strength of schedule tiebreaker

Per Tankathon's SOS Tiebreaker, the Lions should also be pulling for the following teams on Sunday in order to win the strength of schedule tiebreaker over the Falcons:

Who to root for: Commanders over Eagles, Raiders over Chiefs and Cardinals over Rams