NFL Week 16 2022: 3 teams on upset alert this Saturday

1. NFL Teams That Should Be On Upset Alert In Week 16 – Detroit Lions

It seems strange to see the Detroit Lions in an upset alert spot but Dan Campbell’s bunch deserves a ton of credit for turning their season around. Left for dead after a 1-6 start, Detroit has responded by winning six of their next seven games to get back to .500 on the year.

The Lions are also in prime position to return to the postseason for the first time since 2016 with a very manageable schedule down the stretch featuring three games they are capable of winning. The first of those games comes in Week 16 as they head to Carolina to take on the 5-9 Panthers with oddsmakers setting the visitors as three-point favorites.

While this game is definitely important for the Lions, it also has significance for Carolina, which can actually win the NFC South at 8-9 by sweeping their final three regular season games. The Panthers have also played much better football under interim coach Steve Wilks and have the ability to win this game if they execute their game plan.

The burden of expectations is now starting to fall on the Lions, who have not been in a spot where people expect them to win. It is imperative for Campbell to make sure his team doesn’t get too cocky and overlook the Panthers, who could deal the Lions a devastating loss if they aren’t careful.