NFL Week 12 aftershocks: What's wrong with the Lions?

The NFL's Week 12 games had major implications for the playoff picture (Bills vs. Eagles, Texans vs. Jaguars) and draft order (Giants vs. Patriots, Panthers vs. Titans). Here's a look at four aftershocks.

The Lions are breaking down at the worst time  

Instead of gearing up for a possible Super Bowl run, the 8-3 Lions are falling apart down the stretch.

On the heels of a miraculous comeback over the lowly Bears, Detroit struggled against another NFC North opponent, losing to the Packers on Thanksgiving, 29-22. Quarterback Jared Goff was reckless with the football against Green Bay, losing a career-high three fumbles. In a Week 11 win over the Bears, he threw three interceptions.

The Lions' offensive line — one of the top-ranked units in the NFL — was uncharacteristically bad on Thanksgiving, surrendering three sacks and 12 quarterback hits. Per ESPN Stats & Info, Goff was pressured on 45% of his drop-backs (nine of 20) in the first half and rarely had enough time to find open targets.

For the Lions to make a deep playoff run, these issues must be addressed. 

The Seahawks are not a playoff team

Though their record may say otherwise, the 6-5 Seahawks are playoff pretenders.

Seattle found itself on the wrong side of a blowout on Thanksgiving, falling to the 49ers, 31-13. Despite still being in the hunt with an above-.500 record, Seattle's playoff hopes are quickly dwindling. 

Journeyman quarterback Geno Smith has hardly lived up to the three-year, $105 million contract he signed in the offseason, ranking near the middle of the pack in nearly every statistical category. Against San Francisco's stout defense, Smith — who is battling a triceps injury — completed 18-of-27 passes for only 180 yards and an interception. 

With upcoming games against the Cowboys (8-3), 49ers (8-3) and Eagles (10-1), the Seahawks might not have a winning record much longer.

Tommy DeVito has earned another start 

In the absence of Daniel Jones, who suffered a season-ending ACL injury earlier this month, DeVito has made the most of his opportunity. The undrafted quarterback is 2-1 as a starter, his most recent victory a 10-7 win over the lowly Patriots in Week 12.

DeVito has played serviceably this season. The rookie has thrown for seven touchdowns — one more than Pittsburgh second-year QB Kenny Pickett in 11 games — and three interceptions. He leads the NFL in touchdown percentage (min. 100 attempts) at 6.6%.