There is an obscure old saying, provenance unknown, but it seems to be either a political or military 
expression. “Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.” With the Bears still close but falling into the Packers rear view mirror with a loss against the Panthers last Sunday, the Detroit Lions hold serve on the Packers with the season finale as the clincher if things stay as they are.
But there is a LOT of football to be played between now and December 28th for both teams. Right now though, let’s keep our enemies closer. Let’s take a look at the Lions chances to keep it tight for the rest of the season. I think they have another stumble coming up…one that would have the Packers with their destiny in their own hands once more. Read on to find out more!
The Lions play the Vikings this coming week and I would NOT want to be a player on that team. After a beat-down by the Packers, the Lions will be stoked to right the oh-so-wrong Jim Schwartz being carried on players’ shoulders nonsense. Since they can’t take it out on the Bills, the Vikings get the brunt of the blow. Look for the Lions to storm back and the score to be similar to the Packers 40+.
The emotional comeback, however, will hurt the Lions as they have to host the Saints the week after. The Saints have not been living up to their billing but they will be coming off a bye week and starting to feel the desperation of being 2-3 and well into the second quarter of the season. Add to that the Megatron injury, which may hamper him into that game, and the Saints have an outside chance of getting it done. The Lions host this game which gives them a distinct advantage, and their defensive front is just the ticket for holding Drew Brees at bay. But this will be a game to watch.
If the Lions win that game, they still have the Cardinals and Patriots in successive weeks. These games are both away games and I look for them to drop one of those. A win against the Cards would be an emotional one, setting them up for a letdown against the Patriots.
Add to all this the fact that the Packers still have the Panthers on the schedule, a team that both the Lions and Bears have lost to…and things are setting up nicely for Green Bay if they can continue on their present trajectory. I see the final game of the season to be less significant than the Bears game was last year. It may involve two playoff teams, but I do NOT think the NFC North crown will be on the table this time.
But what do you think? HMU in the comments below!
GO PACK!!!
I would not hand the Lions a win so fast against the Vikings Brady! With Johnson hurt and Bridgewater back it will even the keel so to speak, I think Barr has a good game and keeps Stafford on his toes or back this game. Even though the Lions do have a good 4 man front I think they play for Bridgewater and forget about McKinnon and Asiata just enough that those two have a break out game as well. Also Jennings will be happy to have Teddy back and catch a lot more passes than he did with the Packers which was what 1
With that said I think the Vikings win this game 17-10 in a upset.
Could be, Bridgewater is definitely a step up from Ponder but he had one game…which he didn’t finish. The Lions kept Aaron Rodgers at bay rushing their front four, giving them extra coverage guys to cover up their lack of playmakers. The Lions had to watch the Bills take a game last week in which their kicker missed three field goals and Stafford had as many INTs as TD’s. The Bills defense is for real (something the Packers need to watch) the Vikings…well…is not.
If you’re right though Jeff…you get the prediction of the year award so far. Takes guts to call it like you see it and I will be the first to give kudos.
Thinking Teddy is the answer is a joke. The Vikings aren’t going anywhere in the division but dead last.
Thinking Teddy is the answer is a joke. The Vikings aren’t going anywhere in the division but dead last. 30-17 lions