The Lions’ Playoff Chances Are Fading Fast After Thanksgiving Loss and Key Injuries
Thanksgiving Loss Puts Detroit in a Tough Spot
The Lions needed Thanksgiving to be a turning point. They’re running out of time, and you can feel the frustration growing. The disappointing 31-24 loss to Green Bay on Thursday was a significant swing in the wrong direction, and it tightened the playoff race in a way the Detroit Lions can no longer ignore. The margin for error that once existed is now gone, and every week from here on out will be a fight for survival.
At 7-5, the Lions find themselves in a spot where the details now matter more than ever. They had several opportunities to shift the afternoon’s direction, but each ended in a stalled drive or a missed opportunity. Green Bay played a balanced, well-controlled game, while Detroit was never able to string together the solid run of plays needed to take over.
Amon Ra’s Injury Hits Detroit at the Worst Possible Time
In a devastating start to the day, the Lions saw star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown leave the game early with an ankle injury that took him out for the remainder of the day. Losing him so early forced Detroit to change the way it operated, and the drop in consistency was clear as the night went on.
Detroit fans are hopeful the injury is not long-term; however, there is still no guarantee he’ll be ready to play by Thursday. His availability will play a major role in determining this week’s game plan.
Frank Ragnow’s Comeback Ends Before It Even Begins
When the Lions announced that former Detroit offensive lineman Frank Ragnow would be returning to the team after retiring back in July, the reaction was instantly explosive. Fans flooded social media, celebrating the news, believing this would be the key to turning this season around, as Detroit’s playoff chances are quickly fading.
That excitement, however, lasted only a short time after his team physical revealed a season-ending hamstring injury. What had initially looked like a major turning point in the season was now ending before it even had a chance to begin.
Detroit’s Playoff Path Narrows
The Lions are currently sitting in 8th place in the NFC, putting them just outside the postseason picture, and their most realistic path will be difficult. They now need to win at least 4 out of 5 of their upcoming games, which should be enough for a wild-card position.
Detroit is also dealing with several injuries right now, including the season-ending loss of cornerback Terrion Arnold. The injury comes just as the schedule tightens and the margin of error gets smaller.
The Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers still face each other two more times, meaning one of them will take losses. Detroit will also have an opportunity to gain some ground directly when it faces the Bears in Week 18.
Dallas Becomes a Make-or-Break Moment
This Thursday’s matchup against the Dallas Cowboys might define Detroit’s entire season. A win could push them back into the playoff picture while giving them momentum. On the other hand, a loss would leave them with almost no room to recover.
The next five weeks will decide whether this team reaches the postseason or is left wondering what happened. The Lions will face the Cowboys this Thursday night at Ford Field in Detroit.