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In Week 5, the Detroit Lions' future opponents combined to go 3-7. Here's a look at how each team performed:
Week 6 - at Vikings (2-3) - lost to Packers, 42-10
With Teddy Bridgewater out with an injury, the Vikings had no chance in this one. Christian Ponder was completely ineffective at quarterback, going 22-for-44 for 222 yards and two interceptions. He was also sacked six times in what turned out to be yet another Thursday night blowout.
Week 7 - vs. Saints (2-3) - beat Buccaneers, 37-31 (OT)
This was just a bizarre game for New Orleans. The Saints took a 13-0 lead early and looked to be in control of this game. By the fourth quarter, however, the Saints were actually down 31-20. They managed to come back to force overtime, though, and Khiry Robinson won the game with an 18-yard touchdown run. (Drew Brees, by the way, threw a whopping 57 passes in this game.)
Week 8 - at Falcons (2-3) - lost to Giants, 30-20
Atlanta's struggles away from home continued on Sunday. The Falcons actually had a 20-10 lead late in the third quarter, but they allowed the Giants to score 20 unanswered points to finish the game. Matt Ryan went 29-for-45 and threw for 316 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the Falcons' second consecutive loss.
Week 10 - vs. Dolphins (2-2) - Bye week
Miami had the week off.
Week 11 - at Cardinals (3-1) - lost to Broncos, 41-20
Arizona managed to hang with the Broncos for three quarters, even after Drew Stanton left with an injury. Logan Thomas stepped in and threw an 81-yard touchdown pass to Andre Ellington, making this a 24-20 game in favor of the Broncos. It was all downhill from there, though. Thomas attempted eight passes on the day, and that touchdown was his lone completion. Denver pulled away with 17 straight points in the fourth quarter, turning this into a blowout by game's end.
Week 12 - at Patriots (3-2) - beat Bengals, 43-17
It's safe to say people were too quick to write off the Patriots. They absolutely took it to the previously undefeated Bengals on Sunday night. Tom Brady got back on track with 292 yards and two touchdowns, and the Patriots defense kept the Cincinnati offense in check throughout the game. This was a big win for the Patriots.
Week 13 - vs. Bears (2-3) - lost to Panthers, 31-24
Chicago was up 21-7 in this one before a Greg Olsen touchdown reception in the final seconds of the second quarter cut the lead in half. The Panthers later tied the game, but Robbie Gould put Chicago back on top. The Panthers then tied the game again with 4:29 left in the fourth quarter, and Carolina took the lead for good with another Olsen touchdown with 2:18 to go. Jay Cutler threw two more interceptions en route to the Bears' second loss in a row.
Week 14 - vs. Buccaneers (1-4) - lost to Saints, 37-31 (OT)
The good news for Tampa Bay is that Mike Glennon put together a pretty good performance. He completed 19 of 32 passes for 249 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. The bad news, as mentioned above, is that the Bucs blew a 31-20 lead in the fourth quarter and lost in overtime.
Week 15 - vs. Vikings (2-3) - lost to Packers, 42-10
See above.
Week 16 - at Bears (2-3) - lost to Panthers, 31-24
See above.
Week 17 - at Packers (3-2) - beat Vikings, 42-10
Ever since they were shut down by the Lions, the Packers have looked quite good. Aaron Rodgers went 12-for-17 for 156 yards and three touchdowns against Minnesota, and Eddie Lacy rushed for 105 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries. What's more, Green Bay's defense really stepped it up, forcing three turnovers and recording six sacks.