An NFL players strike shortened the regular season to nine games.
The NFL changed the playoff format due to the strike to allow the top eight teams in each conference to qualify.
[1][2] The Lions and the 1982 Cleveland Browns are the only two teams with a losing record to qualify as wildcards.
The Lions lost to the Washington Redskins at RFK Stadium in the first round of the playoffs.
[2] The Carolina Panthers in 2014 (7–8–1) and Washington in 2020 (7–9) have subsequently won their divisions and made the postseason with losing records.