Detroit Lions' Next Opponent Beginning of Tough Final Test for Playoff Chase

Whew.

Well, it wasn't pretty, but no matter how you look at it, the final score on Sunday read Detroit Lions 34, Minnesota Vikings 28. A win is a win, no matter how ugly. And boy was Sunday's game ugly.

As the wackiness of the multi-fumble movie that was the last play of the game on Sunday ensued, many fans were holding their breath as the pigskin bounced around, knowing their playoff hopes were on the line.

But then Lions defensive end Cliff Avril scooped up the football, undoubtedly saving the Lions' season, much to the delight of the fans and much to the dismay of Vikings defensive end Jared Allen. When it was all said and done, the Lions stood at 8-5 and the Vikings fell to 2-11.

Now the real fun begins.

The Lions now may be opening up a week of practice without some key players. Cornerback Chris Houston and safety Louis Delmas are still recovering from MCL sprains and according to 97.1 the Ticket may not play, they are unsure of the status of linebacker Justin Durant (who got hurt during Sunday's game), or running back Kevin Smith. The only good news is that they're getting back defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who is coming off of his two-game suspension. They are also unsure of defensive tackle Nick Fairley's status.

They open up a week of practice preparing for a road trip as well. The Lions are 4-2 on the road so far, however, so that's a good thing. This time though, they not only travel to a tough place to play, but to an entirely different time zone. They travel to Oakland to take on the Oakland Raiders, who fell to second place in the AFC west behind the Denver Teb----I mean Broncos. The Lions won the last time they went to Oakland, but that was a different team then.

The Raiders are winning games for their late owner, Al Davis. Hue Jackson is getting that team poised to be what they once were, a tough, fierce team that made everyone afraid of the silver and black. Carson Palmer is having a resurgence and that defense is nothing to laugh at either.

The Lions are doing good things, too. They didn't get to 8-5 playing like the 2008 team. However, the final test they must face is going to be their toughest. The Lions cannot afford to play the way they played Sunday if they want to continue their march to the playoffs.

The Raiders, Chargers and Packers are winnable games. Yes, even the Packers are a winnable game. They do have room for one more loss and with a little help, they're in. It's up to them, though, to determine if they want to be a playoff team or not. It starts Sunday against Oakland.