The topic du jour is playoff scenarios. Tim Twentyman at DetroitLions.com has them covered:
Win against the Chargers today and the Lions will punch their playoff ticket for the first time since 1999.
But if they lose, don’t lose hope.
In that case, the Lions can still can lock up a postseason bid this weekend in one of three ways:
1.) With losses by the Bears, Cardinals, Seahawks and Cowboys
2.) With losses by the Bears, Cardinals, Seahawks and Giants
3.) With losses by the Bears, Cardinals and Seahawks, and a win by the Falcons over the Saints
The Bears play the Packers on Christmas, so these scenarios won’t be settled until tomorrow.
At of 3:30PM EDT, the Cards are down 3 scores to the Bengals and the Giants are up 10 on the Jets. The Cowboys and Seahawks will be playing at the same time as the Lions, so prepare for some scoreboard watching. The Bears are taking on the Packers tomorrow night with Lions' QB reject Josh McCown under center. The Falcons will be playing the Saints Monday night.
At the very least, it appears one of their competitors for the wild card will be out of contention by the time the Lions kickoff today. (And just as I typed the previous sentence, the Cards score a TD, and only down 2 scores...they still have a slight pulse)
But I'd rather not worry about watching scoreboards, what other teams do and "scenarios." Just win and everything else is moot.
Today's inactives have been announced:
Lions:
CB Aaron Berry
RB Aaron Brown
CB Don Carey
OG Leonard Davis
S Louis Delmas
DT Andre Fluellen
QB Drew Stanton.
Chargers:
OLB Everette Brown
DE Jacques Cesaire
OLB Travis LaLaBoy
OG Tony Moll
LB Nate Triplett
WR Bryan Walters
CB Shareece Wright
I doubt the Lions will have a completely healthy secondary the rest of the season. Not encouraging to think about with the Lions facing the prolific Phillip Rivers today and Aaron Rodgers next. The pass rush must step up, more so than we've seen the past few weeks.
Seems the Lions are feeling fiesty.
Lions sideline reporter Tony Ortiz says Mike Tolbert and Louis Delmas were jawing it up as the Lions took the field for pre-game warmups
Raiola said pregame scuffle with Falcons was dumb. Now he's tangling with a Charger.
I'm hoping against hope the Lions keep their emotions under control and don't do too many stupid things. To say they won't do anything stupid is, well...you'd be wearing Honolulu Blue Silver glasses. I'm a fan...but a realistic one.
What are the odds Matthew Stafford breaks Scott Mitchell's season passing yarding record of 4,338 yards? As Stafford only needs 193, they are damn good. If there is one sure thing of happening this afternoon, Stafford setting the record just may be it. He has only one game of less than 193 passing yards this season, with 183 yards against the Falcons in the week 7 loss.
It's a bit ridiculous to feel nervous for this game...but I am. The thought of the Lions having to win their way into the playoffs by beating the Packers at Lambeau...I don't even want to think about it.
Let's end the drama TODAY with a win.
