Lions clinch second playoff berth since 1999 after Eagles' loss

The Detroit Lions have clinched their first playoff berth since 2011 following the Philadelphia Eagles' loss to the Washington Redskins on Saturday.

The Detroit Lions have clinched their first playoff berth since 2011 following the Philadelphia Eagles' loss to the Washington Redskins on Saturday.

With two games remaining, the Lions (10-4) have clinched one of two NFC wild card spots, securing their second playoff berth since 1999. Detroit went 10-6 in 2011, and lost the wild-card game to the New Orleans Saints. In 1999, the Lions finished 8-8 and lost the wild-card game to the Washington Redskins.

This season, the Lions have remained steady, losing no more than two games in a row. Detroit brings a three-game winning streak into Sunday's game at the Chicago Bears, who have decided to bench quarterback Jay Cutler for Jimmy Clausen.

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The Lions will end the regular season with a road game vs. the Green Bay Packers. Both teams are currently tied atop the NFC North at 10-4.

Detroit hasn't won more than 10 games in a season since 1991, when it went 12-4 before losing in the NFC Championship Game to the Redskins, the eventual Super Bowl XXVI champions.

- Mike Fiammetta