Look, the Lions chances of making the playoffs remain remote. They are 2-5. But when you look at the NFC, it's not totally far-fetched. No team in the NFC has more than five wins. The Lions have five home games, and four on the road, remaining. Two of those road games look winnable - at Dallas and Buffalo. If you look at the Lions' division, the NFC North, both Chicago and Minnesota are floundering. The Lions are capable of beating those teams at home. The question is, can they surprise a team or two, in addition to winning games that will essentially be pick 'em?
That will make Sunday's game against the Jet pivotal. I would think the Jets would come in and just school the Lions after a humiliating loss to Green Bay Sunday, but it's not a total given. The Lions have won their last two home games, seemingly taking the steps of being difficult to beat at Ford Field. And Mark Sanchez remains a second-year quarterback vulnerable to a pass rush - the Lions' strength.
If nothing else, the Lions' goal should be playing meaningful football games in December. Where they at least have an outside shot at a postseason spot.