The Detroit Lions will enjoy a mini bye after playing on Thursday and getting 10 days off before they start their critical push for the playoffs the final four games.
Following is a breakdown of Detroit's four-game stretch to end the season:
Week 15 at Los Angeles Rams (9-3)
Detroit begins a stretch of three road contests in their last four with a trip out west to face Matthew Stafford and the Rams. Stafford is currently one of the MVP favorites with a league-leading 32 touchdown passes on the season.
Twentyman: Detroit got a huge win Thursday night at home against the Dallas Cowboys to keep their streak of not losing back-to-back contests since October of 2022 intact. The win allows Detroit to keep pace in the NFC playoff picture as the No. 8 seed at 8-5. The next task in front of Detroit is a road trip out to Los Angeles to face the NFC West leading Rams who rank in the top eight in the league in total offense and scoring. The Rams also have the league's No. 2 scoring defense and are a top 10 unit in sacks (33).
Week 16 vs. Pittsburgh (6-6)
The final home game of the regular season is an interconference matchup with a Steelers team looking to bounce back this week in Baltimore coming off back-to-back losses against Chicago and Buffalo.
Twentyman: The Steelers have been trending the wrong way over the last two months as they've lost five of their last seven contests. The Steelers are 1-3 on the season against NFC opponents and are 2-3 away from Acrisure Stadium. It's unusual to see a normally stout Pittsburgh defense rank 28th in the NFL allowing 365.1 yards per game.
Week 17 at Minnesota (4-8)
The Lions will be looking to return the favor after Minnesota came into Ford Field Week 9 and defeated the Lions 27-24. The Vikings are 1-4 this season at U.S. Bank Stadium as they've struggled to find consistency at the quarterback position.
Twentyman: Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is 2-4 on the season and completing just 54.1 percent of his passes but he played well against Detroit Week 9, throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for another in a Vikings win. Detroit will have to contain him better this time around. Detroit needs to head into what could be a massive matchup with the Bears in Chicago in the regular season finale the following week with some momentum by taking care of the Vikings Week 17.
Week 18 at Chicago (9-3)
Head coach Ben Johnson has done a nice job turning things around in Chicago. The Bears still have to play Green Bay twice with a road trip out to San Francisco Week 17 before hosting Detroit in the regular season finale. What this contest could mean for the NFC North race and playoff seeding is yet to be determined.
Twentyman: This contest could be the difference between a division title or a playoff spot for either team. Chicago ranks in the top 10 in total offense and points scored but rank in the bottom 10 in points allowed and total defense. Weather could certainly be a factor in this one. Chicago currently hasn't lost at home since dropping their season opener to Minnesota on Sept. 8.
