It's not necessarily how you play in the NFC playoffs, but often who you play.
The best thing that can happen for the Lions is for New Orleans to beat Atlanta tonight, and the Lions to win their season finale at Green Bay against a Packers squad which will likely give a half-hearted effort because they have clinched home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
It's extremely important the Lions move up to the fifth seed in the NFC. That way they will play either the Giants or Cowboys on wild card weekend, teams they are better than.
It would still be a difficult task on the road, but not nearly to the degree it would be at New Orleans or San Francisco.
Atlanta, which holds the tiebreaker over the Lions because of beating Detroit at Ford Field this season, is going to beat Tampa Bay at home the final week. Tonight at New Orleans is much different.
New Orleans defeated the Falcons in overtime at Atlanta earlier this season. They generally play close games. The Falcons did win at New Orleans last season.