Everything was set up perfectly for the Detroit Lions in Week 16 for them to be holding a playoff spot, but they shot themselves in the foot by losing big time to the Carolina Panthers. Now the Lions need to bounce back big time and need even more out of other teams to make the playoffs. Here’s everyone that needs to win to help the Lions the most.
One- Detroit Lions Beat Chicago Bears
This one is fairly obvious, if the Lions lose this week then they will be eliminated from the playoffs. The biggest key for them to win this game is stopping Justin Fields from using his legs and forcing him to pass the ball. Not only is Fields not very good as a passer yet, but he has almost no one to throw to and his offensive line gives him no time before he is hit. The Detroit Lions should dominate in almost all aspects of this game as they are the Healthier, hotter, and overall better team in this matchup.
Two- New York Jets Beat Seattle Seahawks
After beating them just two weeks ago, the Lions now need a lot of help from the Jets since the Seahawks have the head-to-head tiebreaker over them. The Jets have a big momentum change going into this game as Mike White will be coming back, and at the perfect time nonetheless. The Seahawks are on and terrible stretch of games recently and have been one of the worst teams in the league as of late. If the Jets play like they were when Mike White was the starter and the Seahawks continue to not show up, this should be an easy win for the Jets.
Three- Cleveland Browns Beat Washington Commanders
The Lions do have the tiebreaker over the Commanders but due to the Commanders tying the Giants earlier in the season the Lions are still a game behind them. The Browns have not been a very good team since Deshaun Watson has come back, they have in fact looked worse than they were with Jacoby Brissett, but the Commanders just made a questionable move that may give the Browns a chance to win this game. The Commanders have decided to start Carson Wentz in this game, despite the success, Taylor Heinicke has had with this team, the team is deciding to go back to their original starter which should give the Browns a great shot at winning this game.
Four- Indianapolis Colts Beat New York Giants
This is extremely unlikely, but if it happens it would help the Lions in a multitude of ways for their playoff hopes and draft position. It’s an unlikely scenario, but if the Giants lose out and the Lions win out the Lions will be in the playoffs. Along with that the Colts would lose the value of their draft pick and raise the Lions’ as long as the Rams lose. This will be a tough one to pull off as the Colts have named Nick Foles their starting QB and they were already one of the worst teams in the league. In the NFL, however, anything can happen and the Colts could very well win this game if they can shut down the Giants’ offense.
Five- Minnesota Vikings Beat Green Bay Packers
It’s always weird to root for a divisional rival, but it is almost necessary for the Vikings to beat the Packers this week. No matter how much better the Lions maybe than the Packers, Lambeau is one of the hardest stadiums to win in, and if the Vikings win it will put the Packers out of playoff contention and they will have nothing to play for. The Vikings are undoubtedly the better team, but it’s always tough to win in Lambeau so the Lions need to hope the Vikings can pull it off.
