The Lions only play a single team with a winning record for their next 9 games (Cowboys). They also have lots of games against some of the weaker teams in the league including:
Lions:
2x Bears (2-5)
Packers (Home on Thanksgiving) (2-5)
2x Vikings (Kirkless)
Broncos (3-5)
Equally, the other top teams in the NFC have tough Schedules:
Eagles:
2x Cowboys
Chiefs
Eagles
49ers
Seahawks
49ers:
Jaguars
2x Seahawks
49ers
Ravens
Cowboys:
2x Eagles
Seahawks
Dolphins
Bills
Wish it was old playoff rules. 2nd team not getting a bye is BS