They didn't need help, but they got it.
The Detroit Lions clinched a playoff bid Saturday -- just their second in 15 years -- and they didn't even have to take the field.
It all happened a little unexpectedly when the Philadelphia Eagles, favored by a touchdown, got upset by the Washington Redskins.
The Redskins, who are eliminated from playoff contention, won it 27-24 on a field goal with five seconds remaining.
The Eagles now can finish no better than 10-6 while the Lions can finish no worse than that, and Detroit holds the tiebreaker between the two teams based on a better conference record.
As a result, the Lions are assured of no worse than one of the two NFC wildcard bids.
However, there is still much to play for in the final two games, including Sunday at Chicago and then at Green Bay in the regular-season finale.
The Lions can clinch their first division title in 21 years, guaranteeing a home playoff game, if they beat Chicago and Green Bay loses at Tampa Bay.
Green Bay is a 12-point favorite, though, so more than likely it's going to come down to Week 17 for the NFC North championship, even if Detroit loses in Chicago.
The Lions are also in contention for one of the top two seeds in the NFC, which would include an opening-round bye before hosting a game in the Divisional Round on the weekend of January 10-11.
So, yes, the Lions are in, there's no doubt about that, but they can position themselves much better to make a playoff run by winning their final two games.
That would also give them a 12-4 record, equaling their all-time high for victories in a season.
