Detroit Lions Playoff Chances Are Better Than Expected
Can the Detroit Lions make playoffs? Can they win the NFC North? Or will it be same old Lions falling short?
At this point of the season, the Detroit Lions are normally out of the playoff picture. They win a couple of pointless games at the end of the year, ultimately hurting their draft position.
However, this year is much different as the Lions are potentially having their best season since 1993. How can it be an NFL teams best season in 23 years? Because Detroit is competing for the division for the first time since then.
At this time, the Lions look like they have to win the rest of their games to regain the faith of their fan base. How can a team on the brink of the playoffs not have a supportive fan base? They supported this team when they had an 0-16 season. They still watched after one of the most talented running backs in NFL history, Barry Sanders, walked away from the team.
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Fifteen years later, the best receiver of his generation, Calvin Johnson, did the same thing. These fans are still going to the games, and talking about what this team should do next.
After Sunday’s 17-6 loss to the New York Giants, the fan base is thriving for answers. Will Matthew Stafford be okay despite playing with a protective glove on his finger? They sure hope so, because as of right now, he looks like old school Mankind with the mandible claw. Can the Lions ever have an answer at the running back position? Personally, it looks like it’s got the curse of Barry Sanders but who knows, maybe another second-round pick can change that.
Outside of Sunday’s loss, their defense makes any quarterback look good and they lost their shutdown cornerback, Darius Slay. His status for next Monday’s game vs. the Dallas Cowboys is up in the air.
Before we go any further into the discussion of the team’s health, let’s talk about their head coach. Jim Caldwell plays a good game. He really does. I watch this team every Sunday, and he fools all of us. On Sunday, he had an obvious challenge won, but he didn’t feel like a called completion to Odell Beckham Jr. was worth the four yards.
Dec 18, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) catches the ball in front of Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay (23) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Isn’t this supposed to be about the game of inches? On top of that, he shows no emotion on the sidelines. Not only do his players have to compete against the referees (like every team) and their opponent but his team has to compete against him. There are times that he puts this team in extremely tough spots and it amazes me that this team plays for him.
Can the Lions win their division? They can, but their fans don’t want it to come down to a week 17 showdown with the Green Bay Packers. If they had it their way, it would be to win in Dallas this week. This would be after the Packers lose to the Minnesota Vikings.
According to the experts, the chances of that happening this week, don’t seem good. The Lions don’t have a good track record on the road with Stafford against teams with a winning record. In fact, they’re just 2-21 in those situations.
Overreaction Monday is an understatement. Nervous fans and low confidence levels are buzzing all over the Motor City. Do the Lions control their own destiny? Absolutely, and in my opinion, they can get where they want to because of their quarterback.
Matthew Stafford isn’t lighting up the stat sheets. Is he capable of doing it? Yes. Is he just managing the game? Absolutely. Does he have a strong history in road games? Not necessarily, but thankfully their last game is at home.
Can the Lions make the playoffs? Yes, I think they can win at least one of their last two games.. They would need the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to lose out to guarantee themselves a shot at the wildcard. Will they win the NFC North? Even if they lose their next game against Dallas, I think they can come home and beat the Packers.
I get that Aaron Rodgers is playing like his old self, but the Lions always have been a better home team than a road team. And with the division on the line in week 17, I like the Lions chances of making the playoffs, and winning their division.
