We knew it would come down to one game for the Green Bay Packers. It will also come down to one game for the Detroit Lions.
Week 17, Green Bay at Detroit for the NFC North.
The Lions could have punched themselves a playoff ticket by beating the Dallas Cowboys Monday night. A win would have given them a wild card berth and even if they lost to the Packers in week 17, they still would have been in the playoffs. Instead, Detroit got smoked, 42-21.
The Lions can STILL get in as a wild card if the Redskins lose to the Giants and they lose to the Packers. The scenario is the same for the Packers. If they lose to the Lions AND Washington loses, they’re still a wild card.
But everyone wants the division here. Win and in and you don’t have to worry about what anyone else does.
And look, since the Packers-Lions game is now in prime time, everyone will know what their fate holds before kickoff. The Redskins and Giants play in the afternoon and that’s the only game that anyone needs to pay attention to. Best case scenario for all is the Giants beat Washington at home.
So how are they feeling in Detroit after getting stomped by Dallas?
Optimistic, it appears.
Stafford: "Beginning of the year, you tell us Wk 17 got a chance to play Packers at home for the division I’m taking it all day”#OnePride pic.twitter.com/XqZWJjNrSH
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 27, 2016
Everything is still in front of us. On to the Packers. #OnePride #SNF
— T W (@t_dub1990) December 27, 2016
"Our guys are resilient. It’s a tough-minded group. They’ll be fine."
Coach Caldwell's postgame press conference: https://t.co/bLwHFVmwjg pic.twitter.com/ItwEvI2hoH
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 27, 2016
That is, unless you’re a fan.
Still don't understand how the Lions offense scored zero points in the 2nd half
— Lions Distract Me From Reality (@JustWinDetroit) December 27, 2016
https://twitter.com/Aiden_Morris12/status/813784695800471552
https://twitter.com/SB51Champs/status/813784637705162752
People need to stop thinking about how the Lions can clinch a spot before the game. They can't beat the Packers, they're done.
— Lions Pride (@LionsPride) December 27, 2016
Interestingly, the Packers are already 3-4 point favorites in this game, depending on where you look.