The last time the Detroit Lions made the NFL playoffs in 2016, they backed their way into a wild-card spot, qualifying despite losing their final three games.
The time before that, in 2014, they made the playoffs but lost a Week 17 game to the Green Bay Packers with the NFC North division up for grabs.
That’s one reason so many people have not only latched onto this year’s Lions team, but also have found hope in their late-season run: They are winning games and playing well against good teams, and if they make the postseason, it will be on their own merit — not because another team gave them free passage.