If Detroit navigates the first half of its schedule and is still in playoff contention, how it fares during the second half of November could dictate the Lions' playoff fate. Back-to-back road games against Arizona and New England, followed by a quick turnaround to face Chicago on Thanksgiving, are three games against likely playoff contenders in a short stretch. It is a brutal schedule for the Lions. Survive that -- going 2-1 or better -- and the Lions could end up in the playoffs for the first time since 2011. Complete Lions season preview.
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