Who do Lions play next? Explaining Detroit's opponent in 2025 NFL playoff bracket

Dan Treacy

Who do Lions play next? Explaining Detroit's opponent in 2025 NFL playoff bracket image

(Junfu Han)

The Lions nearly had to start the playoffs on the road after the best regular season in franchise history, but they avoided that fate with a win over the Vikings in Week 18. Now, the road to the Super Bowl in the NFC goes through Detroit.

While the conference's other six playoff teams fight for their lives on wild-card weekend, the Lions have the luxury of being able to wait patiently to find out their divisional round opponent. They might not know until the very end of the weekend.

Could an NFC North rematch be on tap for Dan Campbell's squad?

Here's a look at who the Lions could face in their playoff opener.

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Who do the Lions play next?

The Lions will face the NFC's lowest remaining seed in the divisional round, so they started the weekend with four possible opponents.

    No. 6 Washington Commanders

    The Commanders punched their ticket to the divisional round with an intense 23-20 win over the Buccaneers on Sunday night, setting up a matchup with the Lions. Washington will face Detroit at Ford Field on Saturday, with the Lions entering as a sizable favorite despite Jayden Daniels' remarkable rookie season.

    Like the Lions last year, the Commanders are coming off a win that snapped the NFC's longest playoff victory drought.

    MORE 2025 NFL PLAYOFFS:

    NFL playoff bracket 2025

    Dan Treacy

    Dan Treacy Photo

    Dan Treacy is a content producer for Sporting News, joining in 2022 after graduating from Boston University. He founded @allsportsnews on Instagram in 2012 and has written for Lineups and Yardbarker.