For at least a few more weeks, December football matters in Detroit.
The Lions (6-7) dumped the Minnesota Vikings, 34-23, at Ford Field Sunday to improve their playoff standing, while the Seattle Seahawks (7-6) and New York Giants (7-5-1) both hurt their positioning with losses.
Seattle lost at home to Carolina, 30-24, and the Giants lost at home to Philadelphia, 48-22.
Detroit remains the NFC's ninth seed following Sunday's slate, but is starting to see a clear road to the No. 7 seed — playoffs — with four games remaining in the schedule. The Lions will go to the New York Jets (7-6) and then Carolina (5-8), return home against the Bears (3-10) before the season finale against the Packers (5-8) at Lambeau Field.