Injuries Key To Detroit Lions' Playoff Hopes
By Chris Morgan
There can be few quibbles for the Detroit Lions after they finished their first half of the season. As they head into their bye week, the team stands 6-2. Thanks to the Green Bay Packers losing to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday Night Football, the Lions are up a game on the Packers in record, and they also own the tiebreaker since the Lions beat the Packers earlier this year. Matt Prater's winning kick against the Falcons served as the polar opposite to Alex Henery's missed kick that perhaps cost them a win against the Buffalo Bills. If things progress as this, Detroit and Green Bay could be meeting in the final week of the season to decide a playoff spot. If the Lions want to see that come to fruition, or even clinch a playoff spot before that, one thing seems clear: They need to be healthier the rest of the way.
Granted, saying a team needs to be healthy in the NFL is a pretty obviously statement, in the abstract sense, but it still is important, and it is particularly important for the Lions. This is a team that has already dealt with many injuries to key players. Stephen Tulloch is not coming back this year, but some other important players could come back, and hopefully will soon. Yes, the Lions are 6-2 despite their injuries so far, but they don't want to try and continue winning by the skin of their teeth. That's not a good idea with important divisional games left, and a couple other tough opponents.
Obviously, Calvin Johnson is the big name. It has been weeks since he has been healthy, and his lack of availability has hurt this offense. Golden Tate has been great in Johnson's stead, but imagine if this team had both of them at full strength? They might be as tough a duo as any in the NFL in that situation. Detroit was also missing their three main tight ends against the Falcons on Sunday, as well as Reggie Bush. Bush is a game breaker as well, and tight end Eric Ebron was a first-round pick this year. The offense has been poor this year so far, and the defense has had to carry this team. If the offense can even be middle of the pack, and if they get Johnson back that should be the case, it will be hard to keep them out of the postseason.
Of course, the defense just suffered another injury of note as well, as Nick Fairley left the game against the Falcons with a knee injury. There were quibbles about him this preseason, but he's been very good, and pairing him with Ndamukong Suh makes for a dangerous combination. The team doesn't have a ton of depth at that position, so no Fairley would pose a problem.
The Lions are having a fine season so far, and the playoffs are in their sights. A lot of things will have to go right for them to return to the postseason. Better health, and getting back all those missing offensive weapons, would go a long way.
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Chris Morgan has been a diehard Detroit Lions fan through the good (Barry Sanders) and the bad (Matt Millen) and that love has led him to take jobs writing about sports, including as a fantasy sports "expert." His work can be found on Examiner.com. .
