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Detroit Lions’ Season Comes Down To Week 17 vs. Green Bay Packers

By Colton Wesley

Dec 26, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) is chased by Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Sean Lee (50) during the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) is chased by Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Sean Lee (50) during the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 26, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) hands off to fullback Zach Zenner (34) during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) hands off to fullback Zach Zenner (34) during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Gameday Information

Fantasy Football Player To Watch: Matthew Stafford

In the last two weeks, Matthew Stafford has not performed well for fantasy purposes but I am sticking with him for the final week of the fantasy season. The Packers do not have a great pass defense and the Lions can match Green Bay’s secondary with their pass catchers. Given the Lions’ struggles on the ground, even with Zach Zenner’s performance last week, and the likelihood that the Packers will be able to move the ball against a patchwork Detroit secondary, the Lions will need to throw the ball a lot and Stafford should score well as a result.

Series History

The Packers lead the series 96-66-6 since the Lions’ inaugural season in 1934. Green Bay won their last meeting, 34-27, at Lambeau Field in week three.

Betting Line

The Packers are currently three-point favorites and the over/under is 49.5. ESPN gives Green Bay a 61.3% chance of winning.

Weather

The game will be played under the Ford Field dome on a chilly evening in Detroit, with cloudy skies and a low temperature of 29 degrees.

Broadcast Information

For the second week in a row, the Lions will be on national television as the game was flexed to Sunday Night Football. Kickoff is at 8:30 on NBC with Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth on the call. Dan Miller and Jim Brandstatter will be on the mic on the Lions Radio Network over the air throughout Michigan. The game can be live-streamed online for free at NBCSports.com.

Elsewhere In The NFC Playoff Race

Only one other week 17 game affects whether or not the Lions can make the playoffs. If Washington (8-6-1) loses to the New York Giants (10-5) at 4:25, the Lions clinch a wildcard spot no matter what happens in their game with the Packers.

Next: Is The Lions' Season A Failure Without The Playoffs?

Multiple games affect potential playoff seeding scenarios for Detroit. The Lions can reach the two-seed if they win and both the Atlanta Falcons (10-5) and the Seattle Seahawks (9-5-1) lose their games on Sunday. If the Detroit loses and Washington wins, the Lions will miss the playoffs entirely.

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