“`html
DETROIT — For nearly 100 years, making the playoffs was a rare event for the Detroit Lions. Now, it seems to be a more common achievement for them. After celebrating their last NFL championship back in 1957, the Lions participated in only 13 playoff matches over the next 75 years, securing victory in just one — a 38-6 triumph against the Dallas Cowboys in 1991.
The narrative shifted dramatically last season. The Lions pulled off a win against the Rams with a score of 24-23 on January 14, followed by a victory over Tampa Bay by 31-23 a week later. They were ahead 24-7 at halftime in the NFC championship game, but the San Francisco 49ers staged a comeback to end their season with a 34-31 defeat.
This year appears even more promising. Following their Thanksgiving triumph over the Chicago Bears, the Lions continued their winning streak by defeating the Green Bay Packers 34-31, marking an impressive 12-1 record and securing a second consecutive playoff appearance — the first time they have managed back-to-back seasons since a three-year run from 1993 to 1995.
Interestingly, head coach Dan Campbell was unaware that the win against the Packers had also clinched a playoff spot. “I just found that out — I didn’t even realize,” he stated after the game. “It’s good. It’s good, but man, we have four games left, and we want to secure our position differently. Our goal is to achieve that top seed.”
Cambell’s lack of awareness meant he didn’t share the news with his team immediately, despite the scoreboard broadcasting “Playoffs Clinched.” “I wish I had told the team, but honestly, I had no idea,” he remarked. “They probably know. They feel the same way I do — we can acknowledge it, but we have our eyes on a bigger prize.”
Quarterback Jared Goff echoed his coach’s sentiments, stating, “I just learned that. It’s amazing, but it’s not our ultimate goal. We aim to win the division, and there’s still work ahead of us.”
With a record of 12-1 and riding an 11-game winning streak, identifying any areas needing improvement is a challenge. The Lions’ offense has been particularly impressive, consistently scoring over 23 points in their past 10 games. They’ve reached over 30 points six times, surpassed 40 points four times, and even tallied over 50 points twice. Currently, they lead the league in scoring, averaging 32.1 points per game, and stand fourth in passing touchdowns (27) and rushing touchdowns (22).
On the other hand, although the Lions sit second in the league for scoring defense (18.0 ppg), injuries are becoming a concern. On Thursday, quarterback Jordan Love recorded averages of 10.3 yards per attempt and 17.2 yards per completion against the Lions, which were both season-highs, leading the Packers to become the first team to score 30 points against Detroit this season.
On a positive note, seven Lions defenders managed to register quarterback hits during the recent game. Linebacker Jack Campbell, a first-round pick in 2023, has made a significant impact on the defense. The other six players — Al-Quadin Muhammad, Myles Adams, Trevor Nowaske, Za’Darius Smith, Ezekiel Turner, and Jonah Williams — joined the Lions mid-season to fill in for their injured teammates.
However, rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold has faced challenges, including a costly pass-interference penalty in the end zone that negated a Lions interception. In his 12 games, he has yet to record an interception and averages just 0.6 defended passes per game.
The Lions are currently contending with numerous injuries, missing 11 defensive linemen and linebackers in their bout against the Packers, and they lost vital defensive tackle Alim McNeill to a head injury during the game. While many of these players are placed on injured reserve, the availability of McNeill, along with Levi Onwuzurike (hamstring), Josh Paschal (knee), and D.J. Reader (shoulder), remains uncertain as they prepare for their December 15 clash against Buffalo.
A key statistic is the 18 players currently on injured reserve for the Lions, the highest in the NFL. If the team faces any challenges ahead on their way to the Super Bowl, it may stem from struggling to maintain a healthy roster, particularly outside of their defensive front.
Looking ahead, it’s crucial for the Lions to maximize recovery and healing as they approach a prolonged week.
“`
