DETROIT -- With all the NFC’s marbles on the line in Week 18, the Detroit Lions are getting a much-needed boost for their banged-up defense.
Alex Anzalone, after a week of will they, won’t they, is active and ready to roll in the winner-take-all finale against the Minnesota Vikings. Anzalone has been out since breaking his forearm against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 11.
The winner takes the NFC North title and No. 1 seed, while the loser will hit the wild-card round as the No. 5 seed -- the first time a 14-win team will do so.
The linebacker and team captain underwent surgery, with a steel plate inserted to help his forearm heal six weeks ago. Now, with the plate still there and a padded-carbon fiber cast, Anzalone is active when the Lions need him most.
Detroit’s defense has struggled mightily in recent weeks.
The Lions have allowed more than 300 passing yards in three-straight games. They hadn’t allowed 300-plus passing yards in a game since before the bye back in Week 4 before that stretch. Last week, the San Francisco 49ers hit them for a season-worst mark of 400 yards through the air, too.
And after not allowing anyone to score 30 points through their first 12 games, they have let opponents hit that mark in three out of the last four weeks.
“It’s just one of those things that we have to do our part and limit points, and that’s the No. 1 goal as a defense,” Anzalone said when asked if the defense isn’t good enough to win a Super Bowl.
“We haven’t been doing that recently, but at the same time, to say we’re not good enough to win the Super Bowl, I think that’s pretty dumb.”
Other inactives for the Lions include running back David Montgomery, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (emergency third QB), offensive linemen Giovanni Manu, Colby Sorsdal and Kayode Awosika, and defensive linemen Brodric Martin and Jonah Williams.
Kalif Raymond is also ready to go in his return from injured reserve. The writing appeared to be on the wall for Raymond’s return when the Lions waived and re-added Tom Kennedy to their practice squad.
Raymond should step back in as the team’s primary returner and an all-important depth receiver.
