ALLEN PARK, Mich. — It's been three years since the Detroit Lions have found themselves in the position that they're in entering Week 17, on the outside looking in of the NFC playoffs and searching for answers.

Technically, the Lions still have much to play for in Thursday's divisional game against the Minnesota Vikings. To make the playoffs, the Lions must win each of their last two games against the Vikings and Chicago Bears (Week 18), while the Green Bay Packers must lose to the Baltimore Ravens (Week 17) and the Vikings (Week 18).

And yet, at the same time, this is a battle for last place in the NFC North. If Minnesota (7-8) and third-string quarterback Max Brosmer can find a way to shock the Lions (8-7) for a second time this season, Detroit will find itself in fourth place entering the season finale. The Vikings won the first matchup at Ford Field on Nov. 2 with quarterback J.J. McCarthy under center, 27-24.

After the Lions fell in a surprising 29-24 result to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, can Lions coach Dan Campbell rally the troops one last time? According to players in the locker room, they've had no choice but to turn the page quickly following the devastating loss in their home finale.

"We can't be thinking about what just happened on Sunday," Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams said. "We're past that. Once the game's over, win or lose, you only get 24 hours to think about it because you've gotta prepare for the next opponent, and our next opponent is coming in way quicker than six or seven days. We got three days to get ready and prepare, so we're just focused up on what we have in front of us, not what's behind us."

The effort will start on defense, which has been one of the league's worst, as the Lions' playoff odds have cratered over their last five games. Minnesota's offense, led by Brosmer in his second career start, is not expected to be a potent one. And the Vikings just shut down stalwart left tackle Christian Darrisaw for the season, which should help Detroit's pass rush and run defense get back on track.

But more than anything, Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson said, the defense needs to begin having fun again in order to meet its potential.

"Something that I think that I want to do better at that I think we can control is just having fun out there. Because I think it's a simple thing, but it's something that — football in the NFL is a business, but you have to treat it like a fun game that you love in order for you to get the results," Hutchinson said. "I don't know if that makes sense, but like, I feel like the defenses that I've been on, whenever we're out there, having fun — not just doing your job and executing — but you're having fun, celebrating together, you're jumping around, that energy is very infectious and we've just gotta get back to that.

"We talk about it all the time too, but I think if we're doing that, having fun, celebrating, making big plays, that's gonna be a big one for us."

Over this last stretch, the Lions have not had much fun — certainly not as much as they're used to. Detroit lost just seven games during the 2023 and 2024 regular seasons combined. The Lions already have seven losses this season and six in their last 10 games. This is, in many ways, uncharted territory for a team whose biggest stars came up in a world where the Lions were legitimate threats to win the Super Bowl.

Still, Williams said everybody he's seen around the facility this week feels "like we got a shot at this."

"Nobody's disappointed. Everybody's head is high. We still got a chance. Nobody (is) in there with sad faces or none of that," Williams said. "Everybody's happy to get a chance to go to work and do something that we love doing."

Campbell, for his part, has not changed his message as the team prepares to play these final two games. Even if the playoffs are a long shot, Campbell said he wants to see his team regain its identity before the season ends.

Asked a follow-up question on how that can come to fruition, Campbell said, "I think you just do it. You just do it."

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