NFL Week 14: 5 teams that must win

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CHICAGO, IL – NOVEMBER 19: Quarterback Matthew Stafford No. 9 of the Detroit Lions warms up prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on November 19, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

4. Detroit Lions

The Lions had a great opportunity to help their playoff chances last Sunday and completely blew it. They went down 20-0 at halftime against the Baltimore Ravens and despite a second-half surge, still lost 44-20. The offense couldn’t take advantage of Jimmy Smith’s Achilles tear while Matthew Stafford suffered an injury to his throwing hand. Everything that could have gone wrong went wrong and now the Lions must win in a Week 14 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

It’s a road game for Jim Caldwell’s team but they couldn’t ask for a better destination. At this time of year, most teams are playing in 30-40 degree weather. The Lions get to play in sunny Tampa Bay where it’s in the 70’s and 80’s all year round. It’s an early Christmas present and to top it off, the Buccaneers have been horrible this season. Jameis Winston has been, hurt inconsistent and the Bucs went from a playoff favorite to completely eliminated from playoff contention.

All the attention will fall on Stafford’s condition heading into Sunday. Knowing the kind of competitor Stafford been over the years, he’ll try to play but if he can’t, you might as well count the Lions out. Second-year quarterback Jake Rudock came in against the Ravens and immediately threw a pick-six, so let that speak for itself.

The Lions, Cowboys, and Packers are all in the fight for a wild-card spot a 6-6 and one of them will emerge the final weeks of the season and the boys in blue are hoping it’s them.