The Detroit Lions have a critical game up against Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, December 14, and as with every game from here on out, the Lions, with their 8-5 record, have to win this one to keep their hopes of getting into the postseason alive.
Going into the showdown against the Rams, the Lions have a 52% chance of making the postseason, according to NFL research. If they win on Sunday, that goes up to 72%, but if they fall, if goes down to 42%. So, they’ll greatly increase their chances of making the postseason if they beat the Rams.
But, it won’t be easy. The Rams are having a blockbuster season. Stafford and the crew already have a 97% chance of making the postseason, and if they win, that will inch up to 99%. They’re also No. 1 in the NFC West and have a 10-3 record going into the game.
So, the Lions will have to bring their best, and they will. Now, the NFL has made an announcement about the team right before this critical showdown.
Detroit Lions Player Gets Honored
On Wednesday, December 10, the NFL and Detroit Lions announced that defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad has been named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 14, following his three-sack showing against the Dallas Cowboys. He joins other recent Lions winners of the honors, including Jahmyr Gibbs and Jared Goff. Muhammad has the most sacks of any Detroit Lions player this season with nine.
So, the Lions have a lot to be excited about going into the Rams game. Not only did the Cowboys win put them back into the playoff picture, but it also moved the Lions closer to the Chicago Bears in the NFC North standings. Even though Detroit is still No. 3, they’re only a game behind the Bears. The Green Bay Packers‘ lead in the NFC North went up after their win over the Bears.
The Detroit Lions are are significant underdogs going into the Rams, with Los Angeles favored by 5.5 points, but that’s nothing new for the team. They’ve risen above being underdogs before, and they can do it again.
If the Lions beat the Rams, it not only shakes up the playoff picture and NFC North, but it also makes things interesting in the NFC West. The Seattle Seahawks are No. 2 in the NFC West but have the same record at 10-3, so it would greatly benefit them.
Dan Campbell Praises the Detroit Lions
After the Cowboys win, Dan Campbell praised the Lions of their grit. “That was awesome. That is one of the… that game there is one of the few we’ve had where we really played complementary football,” he said. “I mean really, really did.”
He added, “To be able to score right before halftime. We come out, we get the takeaway. Great job by (Derrick) Barnes and then we turn it into points. That was huge. All of that. The whole sequence of just the momentum and carrying it and helping each other out. So, everything was big. The guys really stepped up. But we did, we played complementary football. That, above all, is what really makes the difference. That’s what good teams do.”
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