If you look at the Lions’ record against playoff teams which was 1-6, there is only one conclusion -- there’s a long way to go for the team that finished the season 6-10.

One positive way to spin it is that the Lions beat the Packers in the final quarter of the season. And that is a bit of a stretch.

But wait a minute, check the scores. Five of the six losses to playoff teams were by 5 points or less -- the only big loss was 45-24 to the Patriots.

Does that mean anything?

We won’t know until a year from now.

If the Lions are truly growing, learning from mistakes and figuring out how to win, they must contend in the playoffs next year.

(Follow me on Twitter @PaulaPasche.)