NFL standings: Updated playoff picture after wins by Packers, Cowboys, 49ers on Thanksgiving
After weeks of convincing the NFL that they were for real, the Detroit Lions stumbled with the nation watching on Thanksgiving, and while they remain atop the NFC Central, their loss to the mediocre Green Bay Packers only means that the gap between the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers might be growing.
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Turns out — after blowout holiday wins by the Cowboys (45-10) and 49ers (31-13) — the Lions might not be crashing the Super Bowl contenders’ party after all. Lions quarterback Jared Goff lost a career-high three fumbles in the 29-22 loss on Thursday — after throwing three interceptions in a win on Sunday.
“I’ve got some time here to look at a couple of things and see where we can get a little more efficient,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “At the same time, this is the same team that’s been here all year — offense, defense. Goff is the same quarterback. If we clean a couple things up, we’ll get back in a rhythm and be fine.”
With the Saints, Bears and Broncos next on the schedule, Campbell might be right, but a bad loss like this hints that the Lions aren’t among the conference’s elite and ties them with the Niners in a bid for a playoff bye.
