Lions face must-win game vs. Cowboys
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Dan Campbell on the sidelines against the New York Giants in November. Photo: Amy Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Thursday's showdown against the Dallas Cowboys is crucial to the Lions' suddenly fraught playoff hopes.
The big picture: Detroit's Super Bowl aspirations have crumbled this season under the weight of injuries, coaching shakeups, maddening losses and the ascension of divisional rivals.
- At 7-5, the Lions currently do not hold a playoff spot.
Zoom in: Their playoff chances stand at 41%, per the NFL.
- Those odds would plummet to 19% with a loss Thursday to Dallas (6-5-1), while a win would push their chances to 56%.
Driving the news: Kickoff is 8:15pm at Ford Field, with Amazon Prime broadcasting.
- Tickets start at about $175.
The other side: The Cowboys, winners of three straight games, are among the league's hottest teams.
- Quarterback Dak Prescott leads a potent passing attack with top-tier receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens.
- Dallas' defense is also trending up through trade acquisitions and the return of key players from injuries.
What they're saying: Starting Thursday, the Lions probably need to go 4-1 in their last five games to have a shot at the postseason.
- "The Lions are in a situation where they need to hope and pray to make it if they go 3-2, and they're even going to need a little help if they go 4-1 — that's wild," Lions reporter Ben Raven said on MLive's "Dungeon of Doom" podcast.
Yes, but: Detroit can't shake the injury bug.
- Tight end Sam LaPorta's season is likely over after back surgery … star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown left last week's game with an ankle injury and is a game-time decision Thursday … and cornerback Terrion Arnold's season is over with a shoulder injury.
- On top of all that, former offensive lineman Frank Ragnow's comeback from retirement ended before it started after he failed his physical on Friday.
What's next: Detroit's last four games are at the Los Angeles Rams, at home against the Steelers, then road games at Minnesota and Chicago.
The bottom line: Despite all the bad news over the past week, Detroit still has a solid shot at the playoffs with a win Thursday.