The Detroit Lions' season is on the brink and they might be relying on a backup quarterback to save them.
The Lions enter Week 17 on the outside looking in when it comes to the postseason. They cannot win the division and now must grab a wild-card spot.
The problem is there is only one wild-card spot not spoken for and Detroit is trailing the Green Bay Packers for it.
In order to jump the Packers over the final two weeks of the season, the Lions must run the table and need the Packers to lose their remaining games.
This week, the Packers draw a matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, another team fighting for its playoff life.
However, Baltimore may not have Lamar Jackson under center for this game, as he's dealing with a back injury that, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, leaves his status for Saturday's game up in the air.
For the team's first practice of the week on Tuesday, Jackson was listed as a non-participant, which was expected following his early exit in Week 16.
It goes without saying that Jackson not playing would seriously hurt the Ravens chances of beating the Packers, which in turn is terrible news for the Lions.
Who is the Ravens' backup quarterback?
If Jackson can't go, Tyler Huntley will take the reins of the offense for Baltimore. Huntley has made one start this season, which came in Week 8.
He went on to lead the Ravens to victory, 30-16, over the Chicago Bears and played well, with Huntley completing 17-of-22 passes for 186 yards and one touchdown while adding eight carries for 53 yards.
The Lions can only hope that Huntley can recreate that performance if he gets the nod in place of an injured Jackson on Saturday.
The Packers have their own injury concerns at quarterback, as both Jordan Love and Malik Willis are dealing with injuries. Love is in the concussion protocol, while Willis has a shoulder issue.
But Love returned to practice on Tuesday, which was a step in the right direction for him, and Willis expects to be ready to go despite his shoulder injury.
If this matchup does end up featuring backup versus backup, the edge goes to the Packers after what we've seen out of Willis since joining Green Bay.
NFL News
- Amon-Ra St. Brown injury update provides clarity ahead of Week 17
- Christian Gonzalez's Pro Bowl nod proves costly for Patriots
- Ravens facing $60 million Lamar Jackson decision that could lead to trade
- Seahawks' Jaxon Smith-Njigba gets $24.3 million contract update
- Lions' Jahmyr Gibbs gets $14 million contract update
- Vikings, Saints, Jets get depressing Pro Bowl update