Streaking Lions still a playoff long shot

Humming along: Detroit's offense is getting healthy and it shows. The chemistry between QB Jared Goff and receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown is special.

Goff-full no more: Goff (340 yards passing, 2 TDs) is back in a groove after some midseason turnover-plagued performances.

No. 1 vs. No. 2: Detroit's rookie stud, defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, shared the field with the one player drafted ahead of him — the Jags' Travon Walker.

• Hutchinson notched a half-sack, giving him six to Walker's 2.5 this season.

Sick sack: Rookie linebacker James Houston — a sixth-round pick! — skipped in the air before dipping down for a smooth-looking sack, his third in the last two games.

Grim postseason outlook: Despite winning four of its last five and worsening its future draft position, Detroit (5-7) remains a long shot to make the playoffs.

• The Giants-Commanders 20-20 tie means the Lions will have to win all their remaining games, Free Press reporter Dave Birkett projects.
• No matter — thanks to the Matthew Stafford trade, the Lions have the Rams' 2023 first round pick, now projected to be in the top five.