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Detroit Lions Week 14 rooting guide: Chances at 1 seed could skyrocket Sunday

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Detroit Lions Week 14 rooting guide: Chances at 1 seed could skyrocket Sunday


Oh man, how good does this mini-bye feel? After the Detroit Lions played three games in 11 days—winning all three—they’ve had the entire weekend off. That will continue on Sunday, as Lions fans, players, and coaches can just ride the couch all day and watch the rest of Week 14 unfold.

That said, the results of Sunday’s game will certainly have an impact on the Lions’ future. The Lions have failed to create any space atop the NFC and NFC North thanks to the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles, who just seem to be incapable of losing right now.

Could this be the week that it finally happens, and the Lions inch closer to claiming the division and the NFC top seed?

Let’s take a look at our Week 14 rooting guide and what it could mean for the Lions’ postseason journey.

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The only two games that really matter:

Falcons (6-6) at Vikings (10-2) — 1 p.m. ET — FOX

Root for: Falcons

The good news here is the Falcons are a desperate team, barely holding a lead over the 6-6 Buccaneers for the NFC South’s top spot. They need this game, so hopefully they can finally knock the Vikings off their five-game winning streak and give Detroit a huge extra-game lead in the division.

Panthers (3-9) at Eagles (10-2) — 1 p.m. ET — FOX

Who to root for: Panthers

This one feels a little more unlikely. That said, the Panthers are playing much better football right now than they were earlier in the season. Bryce Young looks capable, and in back-to-back weeks, they nearly pulled off monster upsets over the Chiefs and Buccaneers. This week, they’re 13.5-point underdogs, though. So don’t get your hope too high.

There are only two other teams who can mathematically catch the Lions: The Packers and the Commanders. Green Bay already lost this week, and Washington is on a bye. So that’s really it for the rooting guide. I could theoretically dig deep into tiebreakers and pick outcomes that would favor Detroit’s strength of victories, record in common games, etc., but we’re a bit too far away from that mattering yet.

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You could make an argument to root for Bears over 49ers, because that could help knock San Francisco out of the playoff race prior to their Week 17 game against Detroit. Plus it also hurts Chicago’s draft spot.

But let’s just look at what the playoff situation would look like for Detroit with these two primary outcomes:

NFC North

  1. Lions: 12-1
  2. Vikings: 10-3
  3. Packers: 9-4
  4. Bears: Hopefully 5-8

In this scenario, the Lions would be on the verge of clinching the division. I don’t believe they’d have any Week 15 clinching scenarios, but they could certainly clinch before the Week 18 game between the Lions and Vikings. Per the New York Times playoff simulator, this outcome would give the Lions a 97 percent chance to win the division.

NFC Playoff picture:

  1. Lions: 12-1
  2. Eagles: 10-3

3-16: Everyone else

With an Eagles and Vikings loss, the Lions’ odds to win the No. 1 seed would go from 83% to 95%, per the NYT. That’s a massive jump and would give Detroit some breathing room—which could be necessary given their tough remaining schedule.

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Detroit, MI

Detroit Police officers authorized to wear Lions hats during NFL playoffs

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Detroit Police officers authorized to wear Lions hats during NFL playoffs


Detroit Lions fans come together to celebrate historic victory

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Detroit Lions fans come together to celebrate historic victory

02:08

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(CBS DETROIT) – Detroit Lions hats are now temporarily part of the Detroit Police Department’s attire. 

Chief Todd A. Bettison announced Wednesday that officers can wear either a Detroit Lions skullcap or ballcap when they are in uniform. It’s just one of the ways that community leaders and fans are showing support for the Lions as the NFL playoffs continue. 

Detroit Police Department

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“Congratulations to the Lions on their historic season! Go Lions!!” the department’s Facebook post said. 

The Lions took a 31-9 win over the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, which gave them home-field advantage and the top seed in the NFC playoffs. The team currently has a bye week for the divisional round during the weekend of Jan. 18. 

The Super Bowl is on Feb. 9. 

On Monday, Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard authorized his staff to wear Lions baseball caps and beanies through the playoff run. The Spirit of Detroit statue also has been attired in a Honolulu blue Lions jersey. 

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Detroit, MI

Detroit takes home win streak into matchup with Golden State

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Detroit takes home win streak into matchup with Golden State


Associated Press

Golden State Warriors (18-18, ninth in the Western Conference) vs. Detroit Pistons (19-18, eighth in the Eastern Conference)

Detroit; Thursday, 7 p.m. EST

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BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Pistons -3; over/under is 219.5

BOTTOM LINE: Detroit hosts Golden State aiming to extend its four-game home winning streak.

The Pistons are 9-8 on their home court. Detroit is 8-12 against opponents with a winning record.

The Warriors have gone 8-8 away from home. Golden State has a 1-3 record in one-possession games.

The Pistons score 112.0 points per game, 0.9 more points than the 111.1 the Warriors allow. The Warriors average 111.8 points per game, 1.5 fewer than the 113.3 the Pistons give up to opponents.

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TOP PERFORMERS: Cade Cunningham is averaging 24 points, 6.6 rebounds and 9.3 assists for the Pistons.

Dennis Schroder is averaging 15.5 points and six assists for the Warriors.

LAST 10 GAMES: Pistons: 8-2, averaging 115.7 points, 43.0 rebounds, 26.0 assists, 9.9 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 47.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.0 points per game.

Warriors: 4-6, averaging 108.4 points, 44.3 rebounds, 27.8 assists, 8.2 steals and 6.0 blocks per game while shooting 44.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.0 points.

INJURIES: Pistons: Jaden Ivey: out (leg), Ausar Thompson: day to day (illness).

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Warriors: Dennis Schroder: day to day (hip), Brandin Podziemski: out (abdominal), Stephen Curry: day to day (knee), Gary Payton II: out (calf), Moses Moody: day to day (knee), Jonathan Kuminga: out (ankle), Draymond Green: day to day (ankle).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.




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Detroit, MI

Wayne State University employee fatally struck by vehicle while walking in Detroit

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Wayne State University employee fatally struck by vehicle while walking in Detroit


Police continue to search for missing Warren woman, Red Wings win 5th straight and more top stories

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Police continue to search for missing Warren woman, Red Wings win 5th straight and more top stories

04:00

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(CBS DETROIT) – A Wayne State University employee has died after they were struck by a vehicle while walking in Detroit Wednesday morning.

The incident happened at about 8:41 a.m. in the area of Woodward and Warren avenues.

Detroit police say two vehicles were involved in a crash and one of the cars hit the employee. The employee was pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash is under investigation.

The university says it is offering counseling and psychological services for staff. Services are also available to students.

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“We are connecting with our colleague’s loved ones, with whom we are sharing our heartfelt condolences. Please continue to support and care for one another across our community during this difficult time,” university President Kimberly Espy said in a statement.



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