Here’s the Detroit Lions’ magic number to clinch NFC North after Week 15

DETROIT – This was a very fortunate week for the Detroit Lions in their quest to clinch the NFC North Division for the very first time.

When we talked about the magic number last week, the Lions were at three over the Vikings and two over the Packers. Since then, the situation has gotten even more promising.

If you aren’t familiar with the concept, a team’s “magic number” is the combination of its own wins and fellow contenders’ losses that would result in that team clinching.

Since the Lions’ magic number over the Packers was two last week, Green Bay can no longer mathematically catch the Lions after they lost to the Buccaneers and the Lions beat the Broncos.

As for the Vikings, a blown 14-point fourth-quarter lead against the Bengals combined with Detroit’s win has the magic number to clinch the division down to one.

That’s right: All that needs to happen for Detroit to win the NFC North is the Lions win once or the Vikings lose once.

But since the Vikings and Lions play head-to-head twice in the final three weeks, there are actually only four more chances left for the Lions to clinch:

• Sunday, Dec. 24: If the Lions beat the Vikings.

• Saturday, Dec. 30: If the Lions beat the Cowboys.

• Sunday, Dec. 31: If the Packers beat the Vikings.

• Sunday, Jan. 7: If the Lions beat the Vikings.

If none of those results play out, the Vikings will win the NFC North and the Lions will hope for a wildcard spot. Click here to read everything that has to happen for the Lions to miss the playoffs completely.