Detroit Lions suddenly in line for 2nd home playoff game if they beat Rams

DETROIT – The Detroit Lions are suddenly in line to host a second home playoff game if they can get past the Rams in the first round.

For once, Lions fans were rooting for the Green Bay Packers on Sunday evening, as the hated division rivals went to Dallas to battle the No. 2 Cowboys. The Packers jumped out to a 27-0 lead in the first half, and the game was never close, as they ultimately won by a final score of 48-32.

Green Bay will now travel to San Francisco next weekend to face the No. 1-seeded 49ers.

Since the No. 2 seed is eliminated, the No. 3 Lions are guaranteed to host a divisional round game next weekend if they can beat Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday Night Football.

If the Lions win, they will host the winner of the Eagles-Buccaneers game, which will kick off on Monday night. If the Rams win, they will travel to either Tampa Bay or Philadelphia.

This is a significant shift in the NFC playoff picture, as Dallas finished the regular season a perfect 8-0 at home and only 4-5 on the road. Now, whoever hopes to challenge the 49ers for a spot in the Super Bowl will no longer have to go through AT&T Stadium.

Detroit kicks off against the Rams at 8 p.m. Sunday on Local 4 News (NBC).