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A Detroit Lions fans’ guide: Who to cheer for during the bye

By Ash Thompson

DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 10: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions calls a play in the first quarter against Arizona Cardinals at Ford Field on September 10, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 10: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions calls a play in the first quarter against Arizona Cardinals at Ford Field on September 10, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 15: Anthony Barr #55 of the Minnesota Vikings hits quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers during the first quarter of the game on October 15, 2017 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 15: Anthony Barr #55 of the Minnesota Vikings hits quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers during the first quarter of the game on October 15, 2017 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /

Division opponents are all 1 pm starts

The Green Bay Packers lost Aaron Rodgers to a broken collarbone last week. Clearly the most interesting game from a “what is this going to look like” perspective is the Packers and the New Orleans Saints. The Saints are, of course, fresh off having beaten the Lions senseless in week six.  The Packers are ahead of the Lions in the division at 4-2, and the Saints are a half game up on the Lions in the wild-card race.

The Packers are a hated division rival, and the Saints are in a division that will likely tear itself to shreds on the way to week 17. The NFC South doesn’t really have any truly bad teams. It is more advantageous to the Lions for the Saints to come away with a win here.

The division-leading Minnesota Vikings take on the Baltimore Ravens. This one is a bit of a no-brainer. A Ravens win helps the Lions in a few ways. First, it is also a Vikings loss, which affects the division standings. It also helps the record against common opponents tiebreaker if the Lions and Vikings are tied at the end of the season.  A Ravens win also helps with wildcard tiebreakers. It adds to the Lions eventual strength of schedule for the battle against NFC teams that do not also play against the Ravens.

Finally, the Chicago Bears take on the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers are ahead of the Lions in a potential wild card scenario, but a Bears win would give that team the same number of wins as the Lions. Lions fans should be cheering for the Panthers, no questions asked.

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