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Detroit Lions move into first place in NFC North during their bye week
Michigan surprisingly went for Donald Trump. The Fighting Jim Harbaughs lost to Iowa. Matthew Stafford reportedly wants $25 million per year for his next contract — and might get it. And the Detroit Lions move into first without playing a game. Eventful week in the Great Lakes State, eh?
The Lions are on bye this week, soaking up some well-earned rest (for them and their fans) in what has been a wild season. The excitement — and the good news — hasn’t ceased, even while taking a break on Sunday. With the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers both losing on the road in Week 10, the Lions are now in first place.
The Packers got throttled by the Tennessee Titans. The Vikings now have lost four straight since their bye after starting 5-0. Is it possible the Lions are the best team in the division?
Let’s not assume too much right this minute. They’re 5-4 (same as the Vikings, whom they beat in overtime last week) and have had both a three-game win streak and a three-game losing streak. Every single game this season has been a grabber: Incredibly, they trailed in the final 90 seconds of each of their five victories, and each of their four losses came down to the final possession.
The Lions have four of their final seven games at home, and they kick things off with a game against the 2-7 Jacksonville Jaguars. But the Lions still must face each of the NFC North opponents once more (and they’re only 1-2 in division games thus far) and also have to go through the tough Dallas Cowboys on the road, as well as facing the New Orleans Saints and New York Giants, both of whom could be in the playoff race, away from home.
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Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at edholm@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter!
