Lions clinch playoff spot as Eagles lose to D.C.
Dave Birkett
Michigan.com
The Detroit Lions might have to cut Mark Sanchez in on a playoff share.
Sanchez threw a late interception and Kai Forbath made the game-winning 26-yard field goal with 5 seconds to play as Washington beat the Philadelphia Eagles, 27-24, on Saturday to send the Detroit Lions to the playoffs for the first time since 2011.
The Lions (10-4) clinched at least a wild-card spot by virtue of the Eagles' loss today.
They play the Chicago Bears (5-9) at Soldier Field on Sunday and can win their first division title in 21 years if they beat the Bears and the Green Bay Packers lose to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
If the Packers (10-4) win, next Sunday's game at Lambeau Field will decide the NFC North, regardless of the Lions' outcome Sunday.
Lions coach Jim Caldwell said Friday he wouldn't consider resting any starters if the Lions had a playoff spot clinched before kickoff, and several players said they had no interest in watching the game.
The Lions, coming off a 7-9 season in which they lost six of their last seven games, have been one of the most pleasant surprises in the NFL this year.
They lead the league in scoring and rushing defense and have won three straight.
In 2011, when the Lions made the playoffs for the first time in more than a decade as a wild card, they lost their first-round game to the New Orleans Saints.