For months, the Detroit Lions controlled their destiny. Three losses later, that control is gone, replaced by a strange dilemma no fan wants to face.

To clinch a playoff spot the 49ers needed the Pittsburgh Steelers to beat the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday. The seven-point underdog Steelers did San Francisco a favor by upsetting the Lions 29-24 while the 49ers sat in Indianapolis awaiting their Monday night showdown with the Indianapolis Colts.

Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers meet on Monday Night Football in NFL Week 17. Check out the recap of the Lions' 40-34 victory.

San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Dominick Puni reflects on his first playoff berth, the Steelers dramatic win over the Lions, and how the 49ers are treating their final two regular-season games as playoff preparation.

The Rams can clinch a playoff spot vs. the Lions, but 49ers analysts and fans are openly rooting for Detroit to win and keep the NFC West race alive.

The Lions are on the outside of the NFC playoff picture entering Week 16. Here's a look at their playoff chances and scenarios.

It also narrowed Detroit's postseason path to just about the narrowest one possible. The Packers (9-5-1) remained 1.5 games up on the Lions with two games to go for both teams, meaning the Lions' only path to the playoffs is to win both of their next two games AND have the Packers lose both of their next two games.

Jauan Jennings may not be the best receiver in the NFL, but he sure is good at making plays in the clutch. The fifth-year wide receiver has essentially become their WR1 with Brandon Aiyuk away from the team and Ricky Pearsall still coming into his own. Jennings has 49 receptions for 599 yards and a team-leading eight touchdowns in 13 games.

The Vikings beat the Lions because of their defense. Brian Flores' unit, which entered the game having gone seven straight weeks without allowing a passing touchdown, dominated. The Vikings forced five turnovers. They shut down Detroit's run game, and quarterback Jared Goff looked flustered.

Here's how the NFL playoff picture looks after the Broncos' win on Christmas night in Week 17:AFC Playoff PictureDIVISION LEADERS1. Broncos (13-3) Closing in on the No. 1 seed in the AFC.2. Patriots (12-3) Would lose the common-games tiebreaker to the Broncos.