Detroit Lions: Why Lions Won't Make the Playoffs

The Detroit Lions are a good team with a tough road ahead of them.

Their loss to the Chicago Bears put them into a virtual tie for second place in the NFC North.

With so much controversy surrounding the team, the playoffs seem farther away than ever.

Matthew Stafford forgot how to play quarterback last week, and Detroit still has not developed a viable running game.

The schedule does not get any easier the rest of the way.

Let's look at why the Lions will not make the playoffs.

5. Non-Existent Return Game

The Lions do not have a competent kickoff or punt return game.

Stefan Logan is a skilled player, and he has shown great ability in the past, but this season something is not clicking. Detroit is frequently starting drives with terrible field position.

Logan's longest kick return this season is for only 32 yards. His average punt return is only 7.9 yards.

Special teams are an often forgotten aspect of football, and now that the offense is having its struggles, the team really needs help from the return game.

4. The Fracture in Matthew Stafford's Hand

The extent of Matthew Stafford's hand injury is unknown, but he definitely was not himself against the Bears.

Stafford had a passer rating of 46.3 and threw four interceptions.

If he plays poorly for even another week, it could send the Lions into a free-fall out of the playoff race.

Stafford is a great quarterback when he is at the top of his game, so I'm not sure how much stock to put in this injury.

But for at least one week, it has clearly affected his ability to play at a high level.

3. Chicago's Resurgence

The Chicago Bears have figured out how to best utilize their offensive weapons. It took Mike Martz some time, but he is finally realizing that Matt Forte is an explosive playmaker.

Credit must be given where it is due, and the Bears have won five of six games, while the Lions have dropped three of four. Jay Cutler is managing the offense properly, only throwing two interceptions total in the last five games.

Momentum matters in the NFL, and Chicago clearly has it.

2. Lack of a Running Game

Early in the season, Detroit won in spite of their running game. Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson were in perfect sync, combining for nine touchdowns through five games.

Now, Johnson has only two touchdown grabs in the last four games, and the Lions have stopped winning. This only highlights Detroit's lack of a rushing attack.

The addition of Kevin Smith was a last-ditch effort to salvage balance in the offensive game plan.

As it stands, Detroit ranks 27th in the NFL with 93 yards per game. Not the best way for a team to earn itself a playoff spot.

1. The Lions' Remaining Schedule

The Lions' schedule only gets tougher after their game with Carolina.

Detroit still has two remaining matchups with the Green Bay Packers and meetings with the San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints and Oakland Raiders.

Having six wins already is a serious benefit, and the Lions have the talent to compete in their remaining games, but a .500 record the rest of the way seems generous at best.

In contrast, a team like the Dallas Cowboys (5-4) is only one game behind Detroit and has a much easier remaining schedule.