The Detroit Lions are off Sunday, with one last weekend to watch football before the stretch run to the playoffs. Though the Lions will be in first place no matter what happens during the rest of this week's games, they should have strong interest in the outcomes of a number of contests, because they can change potential playoff seeding and even Detroit's likelihood of getting in.

So here’s a quick primer of rooting interests for the Lions on Sunday and Monday:

Jacksonville at Buffalo

Rooting interest: The Lions want the Jaguars to win here, because while Detroit holds tiebreaker advantages against a lot of teams, a Jacksonville win would increase the Lions' strength-of-schedule and strength-of-victory numbers.

The Lions already have celebrated victory this week -- courtesy of a winning field goal by Matt Prater (5) on Thursday -- so now they get to sit back and watch. Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire

Arizona at Atlanta

Rooting interest: While the Lions and Falcons are the Nos. 3 and 4 seeds in the NFC right now, the Lions might still want Atlanta to win, and here’s why: Another Arizona loss would take the Cardinals to the brink of possible playoff elimination at 4-6-1. Of course, if you think the Cards are already out of it, then Atlanta losing would benefit the Lions for seeding in the NFC. For the Lions' purposes, a tie might be the best outcome.

New York Giants at Cleveland

Rooting interest: The Lions want the Browns to win in every way. First, because the Lions know the pain of an 0-16 season. Second, a Cleveland win would give New York and Detroit the same record, which would be beneficial if the Lions were to end up in a wild-card scenario. Of course, Detroit could handle things on its own in Week 15 against the Giants.

Los Angeles at New Orleans

Rooting interest: For strength-of-victory and (remote) tiebreaking purposes, the Lions should want the Rams to win.

Seattle at Tampa Bay

Rooting interest: A tricky one, because a Seattle loss would bring the Seahawks closer to the Nos. 2, 3 and 4 seed conversation. But a Tampa Bay win would potentially put the Buccaneers in a crowded wild-card picture.

Green Bay at Philadelphia

Rooting interest: For multiple reasons, the Lions are fine with the Eagles winning. First, Detroit has the tiebreaker edge against Philadelphia if the teams end up with the same record. Plus, an Eagles win would push Green Bay three games behind Detroit in the NFC North race with five games to play (including the Detroit-Green Bay game in Week 17). Also, an Eagles win would help with Detroit's strength-of-victory tiebreaker, since the Lions lost to the Packers in Week 3.