Detroit Lions Face Critical Must-Win Stretch as Injuries, Protection, and Roster Depth Threaten Playoff Hopes Against Dallas Cowboys

As the Detroit Lions march into Week 14 with a 7-5 record and a 45 percent playoff chance, the pressure to perform has never been greater. The next five games will decide whether

Jared Goff’s protection, Amon-Ra St. Brown’s ankle injury, and Brad Holmes’ roster depth are enough to withstand the challenges ahead, especially in their crucial matchup against the Dallas Cowboys
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Jared Goff’s Protection Problems

Since Week 9, Jared Goff has faced constant pressure, with 38 percent of his dropbacks resulting in immediate pressure. This has caused his yards per attempt

to drop from 7.3 to 6.2, and the team’s third-down conversion rate has dipped to 36 percent. With both tackles limited, Goff’s pocket time has shrunk, forcing him into quick reads and negating the deep play-action looks that were once a staple of Detroit’s offense. Goff, ever the competitor, recognizes the stakes:

"We know what's at stake. This is a critical stretch for us, and we can't afford to slip up now. We have to come together, focus on execution, and handle the pressure. Everyone's counting on us, and we believe we can get the job done."

Amon-Ra St. Brown's Absence Exposes Depth Gaps

The Lions' offense has been dealt a blow with Amon-Ra St. Brown missing two consecutive practices due to an ankle injury. Kalif Raymond

is also expected to be out, leaving Jameson Williams and rookie Isaac TeSlaa to step up in an expanded role. Without St. Brown—Goff’s primary target on third downs and in the red zone—the offense is in a precarious situation. This

depth gap is significant, and if St. Brown can’t play against the Cowboys, Goff will have to rely on his secondary targets in critical situations.

Defensive Collapse Undoes Everything

Meanwhile, Detroit’s defense has also faltered. Since Week 10, the Lions have allowed

6.4 yards per play, ranking near the bottom of the league. The defense has forced only one turnover in the last three games, and opposing offenses have completed

71 percent of their passes, often using quick slants and crossing routes. This vulnerability is concerning, especially given Dak Prescott's high-level performance for the Cowboys, where he leads the league in

EPA per play and red-zone completion rate. The mismatch is clear, and the Lions will have to drastically improve defensively to have a chance against Dallas.

Brad Holmes and the Roster Depth Problem

Lions General Manager Brad Holmes built the team’s foundation with elite drafts from 2021 to 2023, but recent decisions have created depth issues. Holmes passed on adding an edge rusher

last offseason, and the 2024 draft class has contributed minimally. With injuries decimating the offensive line and secondary, the Lions’ depth has been stretched thin. The front office believed the roster could withstand attrition, but the

current injury list proves otherwise. Holmes now faces a test of whether his roster can handle these challenges and make a late playoff push.

Playoff Math and What's at Stake

The Lions’ playoff chances hinge on the next five games. If Detroit finishes 4-1, they’ll have a 45 percent chance of making the playoffs, but anything less will leave them chasing teams like

Dallas, Seattle, and Los Angeles in NFC tiebreakers. This Dallas game is the ultimate measuring stick—a win keeps their postseason hopes alive, while a loss makes it nearly impossible to recover.

For the Lions, the path to the playoffs remains wide open, but there is no margin for error. As Goff said, "We know what's at stake." Detroit has to come together, overcome injuries, and capitalize on its opportunities.

Every series against Dallas will be a test of whether this Lions roster can handle the pressure it has built for itself. With the postseason hanging in the balance, the Cowboys game could be the defining moment of Detroit’s season. Can they rise to the challenge, or will they falter? Only time will tell.

Buffalo Sabres' Stars Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin Dismiss Trade Rumors: "We're Focused on Making the Playoffs and Improving the Team, Not Leaving"

The Buffalo Sabres have faced their fair share of struggles in the NHL, with the

longest playoff drought in the league. But as the 2025 season unfolds, rumors surrounding the potential trade of their star players—Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin—have continued to swirl. With the Sabres currently sitting at

11-11-4, they remain in the hunt for a playoff spot, but the pressure is mounting. Could Buffalo's two biggest stars be on their way out if the team doesn’t turn things around? Not so fast, according to Sabres insiders.

Tage Thompson, who has yet to experience a playoff game in his NHL career, has been at the center of trade rumors. The Sabres’ star forward is widely regarded as one of the most talented players in the league, and many fans have speculated that he could eventually seek a move to a contender. But speaking out on the situation, Thompson made it clear that he has

no intention of leaving Buffalo anytime soon.

"We’ve never considered leaving. My goal is to help the team move forward and earn a playoff spot," Thompson said. "We all know this is a crucial season, and we’re going to keep fighting to improve and reach our goal."

This statement echoes the sentiments of his teammate, Rasmus Dahlin, who also remains committed to the Sabres despite the team's struggles. Dahlin had a difficult summer, dealing with personal issues related to his fiancée’s illness, but

Elliotte Friedman, Sportsnet’s NHL insider, revealed that the Sabres organization’s support during this challenging time has deepened Dahlin’s connection to the team.

Friedman noted, "Rasmus had a really difficult time in the summer with his fiancée when she got sick, and the Sabres were among several people, including the league and the NHLPA, who really took good care of them. So I think he remembers that too."

With both players showing strong commitment to the Sabres, rumors about trades have been put to rest—for now. According to Friedman, unless the Sabres are completely out of playoff contention by the trade deadline, there will be no move to trade either Thompson or Dahlin.

Both players, it seems, are determined to see the Sabres succeed this season. As Thompson and Dahlin continue to push for better results, the team is showing signs of improvement.

Despite their early-season struggles, the Sabres have refused to give up, and their persistence has earned them some much-needed respect.

The big question now is whether the Sabres can finally break their playoff drought. With Thompson and Dahlin fully committed to the team’s future,

Sabres fans are hopeful that this is the year the team turns the corner.

As the season progresses, the Sabres’ playoff chances are far from sealed, but with their two stars remaining focused on the task at hand, there’s still hope in Buffalo. The real challenge begins now: Can they make a playoff push and finally end the curse that has plagued this franchise for over a decade?

For Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin, the journey is just beginning. The Sabres’ stars have made it clear they are in this together—and they are not going anywhere anytime soon.

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