Matthew Stafford Benched This Weekend – What It Means for the Detroit Lions

The Los Angeles Rams are resting Matthew Stafford when the Rams take on the 49ers this Sunday (Jan. 7). That move could have big implications on what seed the Rams are heading into the playoffs. In turn, that could impact if the Detroit Lions will face Stafford and the Rams in the wildcard round at Ford Field. Here's what it means for the Detroit Lions.

Right now, it's most likely that the Detroit Lions will end the regular season the No. 3 seed in the NFC playoffs. To get to the No. 2 spot, they'd need to win over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 18 and also have both the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles lose. I could actually see that happening, but it's more likely that at least the Cowboys will win this weekend. So, if the Lions end the season as the No. 3 seed, they'll likely either play the Los Angeles Rams or Green Bay Packers.

Currently, the Los Angeles Rams are the No. 6 seed in the NFC, which would put them against us. The Packers are right behind them, as are the Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints and Vikings. But, the Rams play the San Francisco 49ers in Week 18. So, without Stafford, it's going to be tough to win this game. The 49ers will probably bench some of their best players. But, not having Stafford seems like a bigger deficit to me. So, if the Rams lose, they could end up the No. 7 seed if the Packers also beat the Bears, and it seems likely that Green Bay will beat Chicago.

So, let's go over all the possibilities. If the Rams win, they'll be the No. 6 seed and go up against the Lions, unless the Lions end up the No. 2 seed. In order for the Lions to be No. 2, either the Eagles or Cowboys have to lose this weekend. If both the Rams and Packers lose this weekend, the Rams will also be No. 6 seed. But, if the Rams lose and the Packers win, the Rams will be the No. 7 seed. Those are your Week 18 scenarios.

At this point, I'm happy as long as the Lions aren't playing the Seahawks in the wildcard round. We haven't been able to beat them in the Dan Campbell era. But, I would prefer Green Bay over Los Angeles. This team is too special to get lost in a narrative that involves the past, ie. Stafford.

The Detroit Lions are NFC North champions and in the playoffs. Next stop: Las Vegas. Okay, maybe I'm getting ahead of myself. But, there's a real possibility the Lions could go all the way this year. Who wouldn't want to lose to the Ravens on the big stage? Just joking, but let's admit that the Baltimore Ravens are likely heading to the Super Bowl and seem very hard to beat right now. So, what are the Detroit Lions Super Bowl odds going into the postseason?

Some key things have to fall into place to make the Lions Super Bowl bound. Of course, the main thing is that we have to overcome our opponents in the playoffs. Throughout this season of my podcast, "The Squad with Anne Erickson," we've talked about the best and worst matchups for the Lions. Several guests have commented on both the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers being potentially very difficult teams for the Lions to beat, based on each teams' strengths and weaknesses. I would throw the Seattle Seahawks into that mix, too, since the Lions haven't been able to overcome them in the Dan Campbell era.

Now, I do think the Lions could beat the Eagles. This isn't the same team it was at the beginning of the season. All due respect to my Eagles friends, but there are holes in the team right now, and I believe that in the right situation, the Lions could beat them. Also, they have Matt Patricia heading up their defense, which is great for any team going up against them. Spoken like a true Lions fan, right? That said, I believe a Detroit Lions Super Bowl run would depend on the 49ers getting taken out in an early upset game. I think it would be difficult for the Lions to overcome the 49ers but not impossible. Now, let's get into the real numbers.

The Detroit Lions are having one of the best years in the history of the franchise. They have the division title and will likely be the No. 3 seed going into the wildcard round, meaning they'll host that first game. The Lions are hoping to win a playoff game for the first time since 1991.

According to Lineups.com, the Detroit Lions' NFC Winner Odds are +900. The Detroit Lions' Super Bowl 58 Odds at +2200. So, what does that mean? Read on for the explaination.

The Detroit Lions currently have the eighth-ranked odds in the league to win the Super Bowl at +2200. That's around a 5% chance. Their odds of making the playoffs are -10000. Not bad, but I think we deserve a bit higher.

Lineups.com says last weekend's Cowboys game, albeit frustrating, shows that the Lions could make it to the Super Bowl. "The Lions performance against the Dallas Cowboys last Saturday on primetime was eye opening for all the right reasons," they state.

They add, "Even in a loss, that type of performance was much needed to give Lions backers assurance that they can compete with them in a potential rematch in the playoffs."

NFL writer Arif Hasan joins me on “The Squad with Anne Erickson” this week to talk about all things NFL, including who the Lions should want to go up against in the playoffs. Listen to the full discussion below. Subscribe to “The Squad with Anne Erickson” wherever you listen to podcasts, and hit me up here.

Jared Goff and company's next challenge is the Lions vs. Vikings game this Sunday (Jan. 7) at 1 p.m. EST. This game isn't super important to the Lions, as they'll probably end up a No. 3 seed regardless. What will be interesting is to see who clinches the No. 6 seed and goes up against the Lions in the wildcard round.