Fansided

It’s Week 8, and these teams are already face must-win games

By Mike Phillips

CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 20: Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (10) looks on as he comes off the field in game action during a game between the Chicago Bears and the New Orleans Saints on October 20, 2019 at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 20: Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (10) looks on as he comes off the field in game action during a game between the Chicago Bears and the New Orleans Saints on October 20, 2019 at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Detroit Lions defensive end Romeo Okwara (95) looks on from the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Detroit, Michigan USA, on Sunday, October 20, 2019. (Photo by Amy Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Detroit Lions defensive end Romeo Okwara (95) looks on from the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Detroit, Michigan USA, on Sunday, October 20, 2019. (Photo by Amy Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /

3. Detroit Lions

There may not be a bigger disconnect between a team’s record and its ability than with the Detroit Lions. The Lions have a 2-3-1 record, which would lead the casual observer to believe Detroit is a mediocre team, but if you’ve watched the Lions play you know this isn’t the case.

There is a very strong argument to be made that the Lions could easily have five wins on their resume. Detroit choked late in losses to Arizona (which led to the tie) and Kansas City (which led to a loss) while the referees arguably stole a game from them in Green Bay.

The Lions had their worst showing of the season in Week 7, losing at home to the Minnesota Vikings despite four Matthew Stafford touchdown passes to Marvin Jones. The defeat knocked the Lions below .500, which puts them in last place in football’s most competitive division from top-to-bottom, the NFC North.

The good news for the Lions is that they can get back on track this week, when they host the New York Giants and struggling rookie quarterback Daniel Jones. Jones has regressed significantly over the past two weeks and was sacked eight times in a loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.

The Lions are home and have a strong defense that can continue to befuddle Jones, while the Giants’ sievelike defense can be picked apart by a smart quarterback like Stafford. This is the kind of game that Detroit has to win if it wants to be a playoff contender down the stretch.

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