NFL Network and ESPN’s Rich Eisen still likes the Detroit Lions‘ chances to advance to the NFL playoffs for a third straight season.
While some may be more pessimistic about the Lions‘ chances, count Eisen in the camp of optimism. On Tuesday’s edition of “The Rich Eisen Show,” Chris Brockman said he felt that the NFL playoffs bracket is locked, meaning that the 14 teams that currently occupy spots will be the 14 teams that ultimately punch playoff spots.
Eisen disagreed, laying out a case for the Lions (8-6) to rally back into the postseason.
“How about this? I don’t know if the NFC North is going to get three teams in, and I don’t know if the Bears are going to be one of them.
“I understand that (the Lions are out of the playoffs right now). The Lions have the Steelers in their house. I think that’s a game that they can win. They go to Minnesota on Christmas. I think that’s a game they can win. And then they have a visit to Chicago, which I think is a game they can win,” Eisen said.
Lions quarterback Jared Goff having to close the season at Soldier Field in the cold with a potential playoff berth on the line hasn’t scared Eisen off either.
“He has definitely performed better in the cold as a Lion. Maybe because he’s living in it and he plays in it more, but I think the Lions can win out. And the Bears have the Packers, the Niners before they finish up (versus the Lions),” Eisen said.
If Detroit wins out and Chicago loses to either the Packers or the 49ers in the next two weeks beforehand, the Lions would be headed back to the postseason.
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