With the Detroit Lions on their bye in Week 6, fans get to enjoy a full slate of Sunday games without too much football-stress in their lives. No matter what happens on Sunday, the Lions will hold a winning record going into a big Week 7 game against the Green Bay Packers.
But the Lions could certainly benefit from certain outcomes in Week 6. Here’s what you should be rooting for in each NFL game that could potentially matter to the Lions.
[Note: AFC team vs. AFC team games were not included in this
list. While in some convoluted tiebreaker scenario those games could matter, the odds are so small and distant that it’s not worth discussing.]
1 p.m. ET games
Bears (3-2) at Falcons (2-3)
Root for: Falcons
While the Falcons are starting to look a little dangerous after two straight wins, no Lions fan in good faith should root for the Bears. With Caleb Williams back at quarterback, Chicago’s offense may have life again. So hopefully they keep getting handed Ls.
Saints (1-4) at Giants (3-1-1)
Root for: Saints
Detroit already has the tiebreaker over the Saints, so even if they come marching back this season, Detroit should be in good standing against them. The Giants don’t seem for real, but with a schedule full of crappy NFC East games, they could finish with an inflated record.
Panthers (2-2) at Eagles (2-3)
Root for: Panthers
This one is up for debate. If you think the Eagles are done without Jalen Hurts at quarterback, it may make sense to root for them. Plus, the Panthers have the head-to-head tiebreaker with Detroit. However, my thinking is that we should want Carolina to run away with the NFC South, so that tiebreaker doesn’t come into effect in a Wild Card scenario. Plus, I don’t think anyone would complain about Philly getting pushed further down the standings.
Steelers (3-2) at Buccaneers (1-4)
Root for: Steelers
Through gritted, Aaron Rodgers-hating teeth, I say AFC over NFC, always.
4 p.m. ET games
Cardinals (1-4) at Rams (2-3)
Root for: Cardinals
The Cardinals look like a mess right now, so if they somehow beat the “superteam’ Rams while on the road, there could be some serious trouble in Los Angeles.
Sunday Night Football
Cowboys (2-3) vs. Packers (3-2)
Root for: Cowboys
It would be hard to feel confident in the Lions’ next game if Green Bay came into Ford Field riding a three-game winning streak, including two against playoff contenders. No, this would be a great time for the Packers’ defense to look like a mess and their offense to look disjointed—especially if it was against Dallas’ terrible defense.
Monday Night Football
Commanders (1-3-1) at 49ers (5-0)
Root for: Commanders
I don’t know if the Lions can/will catch the 49ers, but if San Francisco lose to Washington, I suppose anything is possible.
