highlighted the high stakes and physical toll such scheduling imposes on elite quarterbacks, although the league doesn’t seem to have taken notice.
The Lions are facing a similarly punishing setup this season. In November, Detroit plays three games in eleven days with the Philadelphia Eagles on the 16th, the New York Giants on the 23rd, and the Green Bay Packers on the 27th.
With a match against the defending champions in the form of Jalen Hurts’ Eagles and another against their NFC North rivals in the Packers, two defeats could be disastrous in their bid to fend off Green Bay, the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears.
The strain then continues in December, with games against the Los Angeles Rams on the 14th, the Pittsburgh Steelers on the 21st, and the Vikings on Christmas Day as the games come thick and fast into the winter.
This condensed schedule significantly increases the risk of injury for the 30-year-old Goff, who remains the team’s pivotal player. Should he be sidelined, Detroit would rely on backup Kyle Allen, who holds a 7-12 career record and lacks playoff experience.
As the pressure grows on the NFL to revise their scheduling patterns, others might argue that the Lions should look to find better quarterback depth should Goff get injured at some stage.
Regardless, with little turnaround for rest and recovery, the sport is running the risk of someone, below 100% but playing on, getting hurt badly – as Mahomes almost exposed last time out.
Who do the Lions play in Week 1?
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