Dec. 16, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA: Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (right) poses for a photo with Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald following the game at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Lions 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Lions have been locked into a last place finish in the NFC North for a few weeks now. The St. Louis Rams’ victory today sealed the same fate for the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC West and that has ramifications for the Detroit Lions in 2013.

There isn’t any magic to the way the NFL determines each team’s list of opponents. Home and away dates with division foes make up six of the sixteen games. Another eight games are determined by rotation that matches an entire division against one AFC division and one NFC division. The NFC North will be matched up against the AFC North and NFC East in 2013.

The last two games are filled in by intra-conference opponents that finish in the same place in their respective divisions. That’s where the Cardinals come into the Lions’ picture.

The Lions’ list of 2013 opponents now looks like this:
Home games: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, 4th Place NFC South

Road games: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals

That leaves just one spot to fill on the Lions’ 2013 schedule with the Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints being the game to watch in week 17. A win by the Saints sends the Panthers to the NFC South cellar and onto the Lions’ 2013 schedule.

Dec. 16, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA; Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz reacts during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona Cardinals 38, Detroit Lions 10 (box score)

The Detroit Lions’ disappointing season is now set for a disappointing finish thanks to a blowout loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

The Lions managed to get on the board first when Mikel Leshoure scored from one yard out early in the second quarter. The 7-0 lead was the high point in an otherwise terrible game by the Lions.

Beanie Wells ran for a pair of touchdowns and Rashad Johnson’s pick six gave the Cardinals a 21-7 lead at halftime.

The Lions looked to be in position for a Matthew Stafford-led comeback in the fourth quarter but what would have been a touchdown pass to Kris Durham that would have made it a one-score game was wiped out by a delay of game penalty. The ensuing play resulted in a 102-yard interception return for a touchdown by Greg Toler to extend the Cardinals lead to 31-10.

The Cardinals win ends their losing streak at nine games and extends the Lions losing streak to six. There is no argument to be made to say that the Lions are actually better than their record indicates. Both teams entered 4-9 and the Cardinals were obviously the better team today.

The Lions finish out the 2012 season with home games against the Falcons and Bears. What happens from here is essentially irrelevant. Today’s game figured to be a winnable contest and the Lions didn’t perform like they were interested in putting together a strong finish to the season.

We’ve been reduced to simply waiting for Calvin Johnson break Jerry Rice’s single-season receiving yards record. It would be quite an accomplishment but would mean a lot more if his team was making a playoff push.

Nov. 25, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA: Arizona Cardinals fans sit in the grandstands following the game against the St. Louis Rams at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 31-17. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Detroit Lions at Arizona Cardinals
University of Phoenix Stadium – Glendale, AZ
Game Time: 4:05 PM ET
TV: FOX (Chris Myers, Tim Ryan)
Radio: WXYT-FM 97.1 in Detroit (click here for affiliates)
Favorite: Lions by 6.5

Injury Report

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