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Detroit Lions: The importance of the Roster Bubble Bowl

By Steven Mullenax

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 16: Wide receiver Kenny Britt #18 of the Los Angeles Rams runs with the football pulling defensive end Kerry Hyder #61 of the Detroit Lions for a fourth quarter touchdown during an NFL game at Ford Field on October 16, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 16: Wide receiver Kenny Britt #18 of the Los Angeles Rams runs with the football pulling defensive end Kerry Hyder #61 of the Detroit Lions for a fourth quarter touchdown during an NFL game at Ford Field on October 16, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) /
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As the Detroit Lions prepare for their final preseason contest against the Buffalo Bills, we’ll try to find you some reasons to watch.

So, here we are. The fourth and final preseason game of the year for the Detroit Lions. The one many fans love to ignore. And why not? Of all the exhibitions games, this one certainly doesn’t have much to offer. Unless you are interested in knowing who’s backing up the primary backup on the Lions’ roster.

That’s why this game is often referred to as the Roster Bubble Bowl. A final showcase for those fringe players trying to make one last plea for a spot on the 53-man, active roster.

Seriously, this game is truly for those hardcore fans. No, the game itself will likely not be interesting as all the starters will be watching the game just like you. And yes, it’s probably going to feature a few players who’ll be selling insurance next week and all the sloppy play that comes with that.

Still, a standout performance in this contest can make the difference in a fringe player making the team or not. And in turn, impact the Lions’ upcoming season in unforeseeable ways.

A great example is defensive end Kerry Hyder Jr., whom barely made the active roster last season in Detroit off a three sack performance he had in the final preseason game against these same Bills. Hyder ended up leading the team in sacks in 2016 with eight. That’s why you watch this game. For the next Kerry Hyder.

"“Every year you see one or two players that either earn a roster spot or at least earn a practice squad job off the fourth preseason game,” Lions’ safety Glover Quin told the Detroit Free Press. “Well, I wouldn’t say the fourth preseason game total, ’cause obviously they’ve done some good things and made some good impression, and it just kind of culminates in that last game and you can see like, ‘OK. Yeah, they’re going to be around some way.’"

So, whose going to be those one or two players who could turn the tide of their careers with a stellar performance Thursday night against the Bills? Will it be wide receiver Jace Billingsley, who led the Lions in receptions last preseason and is doing so again this year with eight catches for 104 yards through three games?

Will the Lions keep three quarterbacks on their active roster to make room for rookie Brad Kaaya after his performance on Thursday night? Could Detroit decide to go heavy at defensive end due to injuries, and what does that mean for the immediate futures of young defenders like Pat O’Conner, Jeremiah Valoaga and the newly signed Giorgio Newberry? What if one of them posts three sacks against the Bills?

Next: Lions vs. Bills preseason game time, channel, stream...

There isn’t a single position on the Detroit Lions roster that might not be somehow impacted by decisions made in part due to what happens Thursday night in their final preseason matchup of the year. Whether it’s enough to make you want to tune in to the Roster Bubble Bowl, that is up to you.

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