For the Detroit Lions, Sunday’s matchup with the struggling Cincinnati Bengals was a playoff game. For another crack at the postseason, the Lions needed to pull out a victory in Cincinnati. Instead, Detroit’s hopes for a playoff berth this season were dashed in a 26-17 defeat.
After a hot start to the season, where the Lions began the year winning three out of their first four matchups, the team cooled off losing every game between Weeks Five and Eight. Their roller coaster of a season continued winning three straight games and then losing three out of their last five.