We have a scorigami! When it got to 40-19, I was wondering if this was possible. Yeesh, the Colts players are going to have nightmares about that 4th quarter on the flight back to Indy.
It’s been done, if you allow “4 of 5 teams”.
I’m guessing you’re referring to 1982, when the NFL season was only 9 games long, due to a mid-season players strike.
At that time, there were 28 teams in the league, and 10 would normally make the playoffs (3 division winners, and two wild-card teams, in each conference); given the shorter season, the league decided to expand the playoff field, and didn’t use the division standings to determine who made the playoffs (i.e., there were effectively no division winners): they simply took the 8 teams with the best records in each conference (so, 16 teams, in total, or 6 more than would normally have reached the playoffs).
In that year, indeed, four out of the five NFC Central teams (the Packers, Vikings, Buccaneers, and Lions) all went to the playoffs.
There is no way that I can overstate how depressing yesterday’s defeat was at the hands of the Packers. Yes, our “substitute secondary” (injuries) performed heroically against a Hall of Fame QB but, in the end, we blew a 13 point lead and lost yet again.
My goal now is for the Packers to miss the playoffs. Dallas won. If they can win one more, there is no way the Packers can match that and get that spot. Now, I need the Giants or Commanders to hold off the Packers and get that second spot. They play again in two weeks, so one of them will have to win unless they tie for a second time. LOL Go, whoever!
Yeah, like the defense playing better early on. The Lions’ offense hasn’t been the problem; they’ve been putting up pretty good numbers most of the season. 48-45 in the Oct. 2 Seahawks game? You score 45 points in the NFL, that should be a big fat W.
The defense finally seems to be coming together, albeit too little too late, most likely. Woulda been nice if they coulda stopped the Bills from marching down the field and kicking the winning FG in the last 30 seconds or so of the Thanksgiving game, though. What a heartbreaker that one was.
But looking forward? The Vikings game next week is going to be tough but the last 4 seem winnable, especially if the D really is getting better. And if the Lions can somehow beat the Vikings? Could go 10-7 and I believe with wins over all of their division rivals, that would give them a wildcard edge, right? (not 100% clear on how wildcards work; it’s so seldom I ever need to know as a Lions fan).
I know, I know, It’s still the Lions; shouldn’t get my hopes up. But a boy can dream.
Only partially. That season plus
1994, Vikings, Packers, Lions, Bears
1997, Packers, Bucs, Lions, Vikings
How could you forget? 
49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo broke his left foot early during yesterday’s game against the Dolphins; he’ll be having surgery on his foot, and is being placed on injured reserve.
With Trey Lance also out for the year, the Niners are down to rookie Brock Purdy at quarterback – Purdy led them to a win yesterday, but it undoubtedly weakens San Francisco’s chances to fend off Seattle for the NFC West title, as well as for advancing in the playoffs.
I hear Carson Wentz is available. Probably can get him on the cheap. LOL
And I see Baker Mayfield is about to be released from Carolina.
They already signed a guy.
Johnson has been with more teams (14) than he has career starts (9).
He really put the “journey” into “journeyman”. 
Plus, he played in the UFL, AAF, and XFL. Truly a journeyman!
He needs a better agent. His career earnings are just $5.3 million. “Just” because fellow career backup QB Chase Daniel has earned over $41 million, and he’s started less games and thrown fewer TDs.
Bring back Kaepernick!
In more QB injury news: with Ravens QB Lamar Jackson undergoing tests after injuring his knee yesterday, the team has re-signed quarterback Brett Hundley to their practice squad. Hundley had spent training camp with the Ravens this past summer, before being released in August; he had briefly been on the Saints’ practice squad last month.
It’s not yet clear how much time Jackson may miss; coach John Harbaugh is currently describing it as “a number [of] days to weeks.”
There are three wildcard spots so you need the Cowboys, Giants, and Commanders to all hold off the Packers.
Argh! I forgot! 
Well it’s unlikely but still possible. Cowboys are all but a lock to finish ahead of the Packers, and the Commanders are pretty darn hot right now so they have a chance. The Giants are the ones who will probably let you (and me) down. Started the season 6-1 and have gone 1-3-1 since. And they still have two games against the Eagles to play.
Oh shit, the Giants have a real chance to finish the season .500 at 8-8-1. That’s almost funny enough to root for.
Right now the Packers and Falcons are 5-8. The Cowboys, Giants, Seahawks, Commanders, and Lions all have fewer losses. Even if the Pack finishes 9-8, it’s likely that 3 of these other teams will have better records.
Three wildcard places (What’s everyone’s prediction for then there will be four and no bye, just home field advantage?). In the NFC here are the assumptions -
Eagles & Vikings are in as division champions
NFC South will send somebody
49ers holds a 1 game edge and the advantage in the tie break over the Seahawks right now. Week 15 the rematch is the Thursday Night Football game in Seattle which is a must win for the Seahawks.
Wild Card Contenders
Cowboys 9 - 3 They’ll be in
Giants 7.5 - 4.5 With the tie, the fact the Seahawks have the tie break is meaningless
Seahawks 7 - 5 Just squeaks by the Commanders by virtue of percentage
Commanders 7.5 - 5.5 Has a bye this coming week. No tie break needed with Seahawks so in effect Seattle controls their destiny next week.
OK four teams and three spots. Which one will be on the outside looking in after week 18?