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Why Detroit Lions might actually have real shot to make NFL playoffs

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The Lions get a little credit for staying alive in the playoff race. But they mostly looked bad against a horrible Buccaneers team.
Free Press sports writer Carlos Monarrez answers three questions after the Detroit Lions‘ 24-21 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday in Tampa, Fla.
Yes, but not much. Jim Caldwell and the Lions survived another week. But this dismal effort against one of the NFL’s worst teams tells you all you need to know about the Lions’ chances for making the playoffs and — if a minor miracle happens — how little you could expect them to do in the playoffs. The Lions looked bad against a horrible team. Once again, they couldn’t run the ball, Matthew Stafford threw two interceptions and they made mental mistakes at key moments. But mostly, they looked inept and the offense struggled to take advantage of five takeaways by the defense.
The Lions bungled this from the start. If it’s true, the Lions hedged their bets big time on Caldwell with absolutely no discernible advantage. They really haven’t kept him from being a lame duck and they didn’t reap any of the benefits of announcing loudly and proudly that they stand behind Caldwell with a 100-percent commitment. They have managed this situation with the most sheepish, guarded posture possible. Whatever the Lions say shouldn’t matter. Caldwell was brought to Detroit four years ago to win a championship and they are no closer to doing that now than they were in 2014.
►More: Jim Caldwell on hot seat; extension reportedly only 1 year
►Jeff Seidel: Lions‘ woes fall on GM Bob Quinn just as much as Caldwell
Honestly, I think they have a good chance because of their favorable schedule. If they can beat the Bears at home Saturday, they have a good shot of winning out. The Bengals looked terrible Sunday in a 33-7 loss to Chicago. So, if Aaron Rodgers doesn’t come back for the Packers, the Lions might pull off the unthinkable and win out to finish 10-6. They’re going to need help from all the NFC South teams ahead of them, which will be hard because they’re all playing each other. But, as the Lions proved Sunday against the Bucs, they’re just good enough to beat bad teams.
►Seidel: These Lions looked ugly in win over Bucs
Contact Carlos Monarrez: cmonarrez@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @cmonarrez.
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