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This won't come as a surprise to anyone, but it looks like it is indeed playoffs or bust for Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz. NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported this about Schwartz's job status before Monday night's game:
On #Lions: View from inside is they must make the playoffs for Jim Schwartz to keep his job. If they don’t, it’s 1 for 5 in the postseason
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 17, 2013
With the Lions unable to take advantage of the situation in the NFC North in recent weeks, Schwartz ended up back on the hot seat. Now, with the Lions in third in the division following Monday's loss and it looking less and less likely that this team will actually make the playoffs, Schwartz may be entering the final weeks of his time in Detroit.
What's more, according to the NFL.com piece on Rapoport's report, it's possible that the "changes might go beyond Schwartz if the Lions fail to make the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons." In other words, general manager Martin Mayhew's job may be in jeopardy as well unless there's a stunning turn of events in the final two weeks that results in the Lions making the playoffs.
Even if they don't make the playoffs, I would be pretty surprised if the Lions decide to fire Mayhew. Also, I would be equally surprised if the Lions don't fire Schwartz and his assistants if this team fails to make the playoffs. If they can't get the job done and win the NFC North this year, there's no reason to expect that they ever will. At this point, it has simply become clear that it's time for a change.
