The playoff race is starting to heat up, and one team, in particular, looks prime for a playoff return. The Lions have surged back into the playoff race with their win this Sunday against the Vikings. They have won 5 out of their last 6 and are making a case for a potential playoff appearance. While the defense was the issue early in the year for the Lions, they have cleaned it up enough to get some wins.
The NFC playoff race is close this year with 4 or 5 teams fighting for the 6 and 7 seeds in the playoffs. Currently, the Commanders and Giants occupy the 6 and 7 seeds, but both teams have a challenging schedule. The Commanders had the Giants, 49ers, Browns, and Cowboys left. Based on how those teams have played this year, they could potentially end up losing all four of those games. The Giants also have a difficult schedule left playing the Vikings, Colts, and Eagles. The Colts vs Giants would be the most favorable matchup between the two teams. With that matchup likely going New York’s way, any Lions fan should be rooting for the Giants this weekend. Washington has a good chance at potentially going 0-4 if they fall this weekend to New York.
You may be wondering, where does Lion’s schedule stack up compared to these other playoff teams’ schedules? The Lions have arguably one of the easiest remaining schedules in the NFL. They feature the Jets, Panthers, Bears, and Packers. Not too difficult of a schedule especially when comparing Lion’s schedule to the other playoff contenders. I would be pretty surprised to see them lose to either the Panthers or the Bears. When it comes to the Packers and Jets, they are both tougher games, yet games they still can
If the offense can continue to play at a high level, I find it hard to figure out why this team wouldn’t make it. Jared Goff, Jamal Williams, and Amon St. Brown have the offense playing at a high level. On the other side of the ball, the defense has played well enough to win games. That is pretty much all you can ask for if you’re a Lions fan. While you want a better defense, that will. be something that will be built over time. For now, let the offense do its job, and play well enough to keep stacking wins. The Lions shouldn’t have to worry about that defense folding until the last game of the season against the Packers. Once again the offense could potentially have to bail the defense out to outlast Green Bay and book their playoff spot.
The Lions, like other teams, have proved that having a good offense is the only thing you need to make the playoffs. Will they advance out of the first round? Probably not. Although making the playoffs in general for this franchise is extremely important, especially when considering the struggles they have gone through to get to this point. They have the best shot to do so in comparison to the other teams in the hunt. Look out for Detriot to sneak into a crowded NFC playoff.
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