DETROIT -- The Detroit Lions started the season with a statement victory over the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, then raced out to a 6-2 record before their Week 9 bye.
But despite going 3-2 over their next five games, cracks began to show, culminating in a dismal 28-13 loss at the four-win Chicago Bears on Sunday.
As of Tuesday morning, the Lions (9-4) still have a 97% chance to make the playoffs and an 81% chance to win the NFC North, according to ESPN Analytics. However, a sudden propensity for turnovers on offense and a defense struggling to get off the field are trends that have become difficult to ignore for a team whose playoff ceiling appears to have lowered over the past five weeks.