The Detroit Lions (8-7) travel to U.S. Bank Stadium for a Christmas Day contest against NFC North rival Minnesota (7-8), where everything is on the line against the Vikings. On Tuesday, the Lions revealed that they will be donning their alternate black uniforms with the blue trim, blue collars and alternate helmets.

NFL Week 17 talking points include a potential Super Bowl showdown and the Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens fighting to stay alive in their playoff pursuit.

The Detroit Lions were 5-2 before they suffered a 27-24 defeat to Minnesota on Nov. 2. They have a losing record since. What changed?

The Lions aren't eliminated just yet. But they can only catch the Packers in the playoff standings, and time and hope is hanging by the slimmest of threads.

The Buccaneers’ defense hasn’t been very good all season (bottom 10 in points and yards allowed), the running game has been inconsistent and the special teams have been mediocre too. But the most stark difference in the Buccaneers’ hot start and their steep decline has been Mayfield’s play.

Detroit Lions playoff scenarios rely on them likely needing to win out and get 1 or more losses by the Bears, Packers or 49ers to clinch postseason.

For the Lions to keep their playoff hopes alive, Hutchinson, Sheppard, and the rest of the defense will need answers quickly. The unit has slipped in multiple areas, but fixing the run defense — the very issue Hutchinson couldn’t explain — would be a necessary place to start.

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