Detroit Lions: Crucial Stretch Ahead for Playoff Opportunity

If the Detroit Lions are to make the playoffs, this mid-season stretch of games will prove vital to their season. Their week seven win against the Redskins was a great start, but much work lies ahead.

Week 7 vs. Washington Redskins

On Sunday the Detroit Lions defeated the Washington Redskins in thrilling comeback fashion. A Matthew Stafford to Anquan Boldin go-ahead touchdown with 31 seconds remaining proved to be the difference, as the Lions won 20-17. It was Stafford’s 21st career fourth quarter comeback, in a game mired by inconsistent and sloppy play.

No one said that wins needed to be pretty though. The Lions have a history of losing dirty, gritty games, so seeing them come away with this one was a nice surprise. Playoff teams find a way to win these types of games.

Despite being only the seventh week of the season, Sunday’s win was huge for the Lions’ playoff hopes. Coming into week seven, the defending NFC East Champion Washington Redskins (now 4-3) were ranked ninth in the NFL power rankings, and held the top wild card spot in the NFC. Now they see themselves out of the playoff picture, looking up at the Lions who hold the head-to-head tie breaker.

Sadly, due to the Philadelphia Eagles (4-2) 21-10 stomping of the Minnesota Vikings (5-1) on Sunday, the Lions are still out of a playoff spot. The good news is that because of the Lions’ week five victory over Philadelphia, the Lions hold the tiebreaker should the two teams tie at season’s end.

Week 8 at Houston Texans

While the Texans do not directly compete with the Detroit Lions in the standings, next Sunday’s game is still crucial. Every game counts in the NFL. The Lions, Eagles, Packers, and Redskins are all within one game of each other. As a result, the Lions have no cushion going in to week eight.

They must keep pace with the rest of the pack if they want to stay in wild-card contention. The AFC South-leading Texans (4-2) will be a tough challenge, and a good barometer to measure how real the Lions’ playoff aspirations are.

Weeks 9 and 12 vs. Minnesota Vikings

Depending on how each team performs going into week nine, the Lions could find themselves with an opportunity to lead the division if the defeat Minnesota. Regardless of whether or not that opportunity exists, week nine will still be extremely important. Despite their recent three game winning streak, the Lions still have an ugly 0-2 division record.

Since division record is one of the possible tiebreakers in the standings, it is imperative the Lions start beating their rivals. If the Lions tie the Packers or Vikings for the second wildcard come the end of the season, and have a 1-1 head to head record, division record will be used to determine who makes it to the playoffs.

The Vikings will not be pushovers though. Even after losing young star quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, the Sam Bradford-led Vikings have been a force. At 5-1 they are the best team in the NFC going into week 8. With the Vikings looking like one of the best defenses of the decade, it will be interesting to see if Stafford can keep up his MVP-caliber play against them.

Next: Van Noy Traded To Patriots

The Lions face off against the Vikings again in week twelve. Winning both games against the Vikings would do wonders for the Lions’ playoff chances.

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