Every NFL game is big, but on Sunday the Lions must beat the New York Giants to keep their playoff hopes alive.

If the Bears and Packers both win, it won’t matter. But the Lions have the first game of that group with kickoff at 4:05 p.m. The Packers play at 4:25 and the Bears at 8:30 p.m.

Here are five keys for the Lions (7-7) to beat the Giants (5-9): 

1. Catch the ball.

2. Hold onto the ball.

3. Don’t give up on the run even though the Giants have allowed just 57.3 rushing yards, 3.28 yards per carry ad five touchdowns in their last 11 games. 

4. With seven or eight in the box, the Lions should be able to take advantage in the passing game. Although the Giants’ passing defense is ranked 11th in NFL.

5. The Lions’ defensive line should be able to pressure Eli Manning who has been sacked 36 times (In comparison, Stafford has been sacked 16 times.) Manning has had a bad season throwing 16 touchdowns and 25 interceptions.

Prediction: Lions 31, Giants 17

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)