Detroit’s hopes took a major hit after their Thanksgiving loss, which dropped them to 7–5 and pushed them outside the NFC playoff picture. With the conference jammed full of contenders, the Lions are scrambling for one of the final postseason spots alongside teams like the 49ers, Packers, Panthers, and Cowboys. Sunday’s outcomes only tightened the squeeze.
Former Lions star Matthew Stafford unintentionally made things worse for his old team. His Rams fell to Carolina in a sloppy showing, 31–28, despite the offense putting points on the board. Stafford turned the ball over three times, including a defensive score that widened the gap. His late-game strip-sack, which was returned deep and allowed Carolina to burn the clock, sealed the loss.
At a moment when Detroit needed a boost from its longtime quarterback, Stafford had one of his few genuinely rough outings of the season—a surprising dip from a player who had been mentioned in MVP discussions. From the Lions’ point of view, the timing couldn’t have been worse.
Lions Still in the Mix Despite Setback
Detroit’s route forward is straightforward but steep: critical matchups loom against the Cowboys, Rams, and Bears. The team still has control over its postseason fate, and more manageable games remain with the Steelers and Vikings on the schedule.
Though the mood among fans may be tense—especially after entering the season with high expectations—the Lions aren’t out of the Super Bowl conversation yet. Every December, a team catches fire and makes an unexpected run. Last year, that surprise surge came from the Washington Commanders. Detroit could still be that team this time around.
Even so, Stafford’s stumble certainly didn’t make things easier. He flashed his arm talent at points, but costly giveaways overshadowed it, underscoring that Detroit cannot bank on outside help. If the Lions want the season to play out the way supporters hoped, they’ll need to fix their issues internally and finish strong.
