Week 17 Detroit Lions rooting guide: NFL Draft order race

The Detroit Lions’ playoff hopes are dead. It’s a terrible development, and I’m sure many Lions fans are checked out because of it.

But for those who are staying, there are still some stakes left in the final two weeks of the 2025 NFL season. Most notably, the Lions’ draft position is still in flux. As of right now, at 8-8, the Lions hold the 15th position in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. They cannot jump into the top-10, but here’s a look at the teams outside the top-10.

Following information is from Tankathon:

11. Dolphins: 6-9 (.488 strength of schedule)
12. Falcons: 6-9 (.502)*
13. Buccaneers: 7-8 (.529)
14. Cowboys: 7-8-1 (.435)
15. Lions: 8-8 (.492)
16. Ravens: 8-8 (.502)
17. Vikings: 8-8 (.511)
18. Colts: 8-7 (.533)**

*pick belongs to Rams
** pick belongs to Jets

Remember that the tiebreaker for draft position is strength of schedule, not head-to-head. So the Lions could still theoretically jump to as high as 11, given that their strength of schedule is actually lower than most teams on this list. With this in mind, here are the teams you should be rooting for in Week 17 to maximize the Lions’ draft position.

Buccaneers at Dolphins — 1 p.m. ET — FOX

Who to root for: Buccaneers

Either result is beneficial for the Lions, because they can technically pass both teams in draft order. However, the Lions are far less likely to jump Miami because the Dolphins would have to win both of their remaining games and lose the strength of schedule tiebreaker, which they currently own over the Lions.

But if the Bucs win—and they have a lot of motivation to do so with their NFC South hopes still alive—the Lions will immediately jump one more spot in draft position.

Jaguars at Colts — 1 p.m. ET — FOX

Who to root for: Colts

The Colts have been eliminated from the playoffs and the Jaguars are still trying to hold off the Texans for the AFC South lead, so this is admittedly a very unlikely scenario.

However, the good news is that even if the Colts lose and drop to 8-8, they will likely stay behind the Lions in draft order because of their tough strength of schedule.

Steelers at Browns — 1 p.m. ET — CBS

Who to root for: Browns

The Lions can’t catch the 3-12 Browns, but this result is looking ahead to Week 18. If the Steelers win this game, they will clinch the AFC North, eliminating the Ravens—a team the Lions would like to see continue to win—from playoff contention. With the Steelers and Ravens playing next week, it’s either going to be a completely meaningless game for both teams (Steelers could maybe be playing for the third vs. fourth seed if they have the division wrapped up) or a game for the AFC North title. I think a Ravens win is slightly more likely in a scenario that game is for the division. Also, screw Aaron Rodgers.

Seahawks at Panthers — 1 p.m ET — CBS

Bears at 49ers — 8:20 p.m. ET — NBC

Who to root for: Panthers and Bears

Okay, bear with me, because this going to get a little dark. If you’re rooting for draft position, you are probably one of the people who want the Lions to lose in Week 18 vs. the Bears. What’s the best way to make that happen? Have some serious stakes in that game for Chicago.

If the Bears beat the 49ers this week and the Seahawks lose to the Panthers, Chicago would jump to the NFC’s top seed. That would mean if the Bears could clinch a first-round bye with a win over the Lions in Week 18. Those are huge stakes for Chicago with the Lions only playing for pride.

I can’t bring myself to root for this scenario, but if you look at things from a strictly practical scenario, this is the best outcome.

Rams at Falcons — 8:15 p.m. ET Monday — ESPN

Who to root for: Falcons

This is another long-shot outcome with the Rams trying to claw their way back into the NFC West lead and the Falcons dead. Atlanta would also need to win out for the Lions to jump them, so don’t expect that to happen.