Thursday 12-22-11 Afternoon Lions Links

Lions Articles from Local Media:

Official Lions Website:

A playoff race has been a long time coming, but Backus and Raiola aren't celebrating yet:  http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/A-playoff-race-has-been-a-long-time-coming-but-Raiola-and-Backus-arent-celebrating-just-yet/2d58c75b-a969-4558-bb16-8281aca5b98a

Corey Williams still not at practice:  http://blogs.detroitlions.com/2011/12/22/dt-corey-williams-still-not-at-practice-others-return/

Detroit News:

With playoff lives on the line, Lions should come through:  http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20111222/OPINION03/112220441/1126/sports0101/With-playoff-lives-line-Lions-should-come-through

Lions bring back CB Brandon McDonald:  http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20111222/SPORTS0101/112220442/1126/sports0101/Lions-bring-back-CB-Brandon-McDonald-release-DE-Keyunta-Dawson

Free Press:

Avril fined $15K for horse collar:  http://www.freep.com/article/20111222/SPORTS01/111222028/cliff-avril-fined-carson-palmer

Harris returns to practice, but others still out:  http://www.freep.com/article/20111222/SPORTS01/111222013/Safety-Chris-Harris-returns-to-Detroit-Lions-practice-today-after-suffering-concussion

Lions release DE Keyunta Dawson:  http://www.freep.com/article/20111222/SPORTS01/111222011/Detroit-Lions-release-defensive-end-Keyunta-Dawson

Oakland Press:

Schwartz - We're halfway there:  http://oplions.blogspot.com/2011/12/jim-schwartz-were-halfway-there.html

CBS Local Detroit:

Getting ready for Lions vs. Chargers:  http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2011/12/22/getting-ready-for-lions-vs-chargers/

Lions Gab:

A moment to look back 20 years; Playoff wins, Barry Sanders and Mike Utley:  http://www.lionsgab.com/2011/12/21/a-moment-to-look-back-20-years-playoff-wins-barry-sanders-and-mike-utley/

Lions Articles from National Sports Websites:

NFL:

Lions close in on playoff spot thanks to Stafford effect:  http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8254c5f4/article/lions-close-in-on-playoff-spot-thanks-to-stafford-effect?module=HP11_cp

Megatron goes beyond the call of duty:  http://www.nfl.com/goto?id=09000d5d82538cec&module=HP11_cp

ESPN:

NFC North Pro Bowl Questions:  http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/50595/nfc-north-pro-bowl-questions

SI:

Burke's week 8 prediction (one of them is that there will be at least 60 points scored in Detroit this weekend):  http://nfl.si.com/2011/12/22/bet-on-it-nfl-week-16-predictions/?sct=nfl_t11_a5

CBS:

Week 16 matchups (One of them is CJ vs. Charger Corners Antoine Cason and Quentin Jammer):  http://peteprisco.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/view/6315047

PFT:

Cunningham says Gates isn't the same player he used to be:  http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/12/22/cunningham-says-gates-isnt-the-same-player-he-was/

Miscellaneous:

Seattle puts former Lions WR Mike Williams on IR:  http://det.scout.com/a.z?s=93&p=9&c=2&cid=1140947&nid=5392316&fhn=1

Week 16 Previews and Predictions:

Predictions:  http://captainbluelionslinks.blogspot.com/2011/12/week-16-predictions.html

Previews:  http://captainbluelionslinks.blogspot.com/2011/12/week-16-previews.html

Video:

Schwartz post practice video:  http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Post-Practice-Video-Jim-Schwartz-12-22-11/56eefa6d-a772-41e4-81af-444ae01908b6

Cunningham post practice video:  http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/videos/Post-Practice-Video-Gunther-Cunningham-12-22-11/8ede8980-00db-427a-8c3a-98811a9f6295

Audio:

Schwartz post practice audio:  http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/audio/Post-Practice-Audio-Jim-Schwartz-12-22-11/a3327610-bf1b-4553-8358-48b74ece47a3

Cunningham post practice audio:  http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/audio/Post-Practice-Audio-Gunther-Cunningham-12-22-11/9d296f9a-a3c3-4523-9c1b-bfb2f1489f98

Schwartz on sirius:  http://www.detroitlions.com/media-center/audio/Jim-Schwartz-on-Sirius-NFL-Radio----12-21-11/022e7b5e-144d-46ee-9f31-ebebe44ea6ff

Stafford on mike and mike in the morning:  http://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?id=7379177