Detroit Lions linebacker Trevor Nowaske, right, takes down Eagles running back Saquon Barkley on Sunday in Philadelphia. (AP photo)

DETROIT — The Detroit Lions are in unfamiliar territory.

For the first time since the end of the 2022 season, Detroit isn’t in the playoff picture.

The Lions (6-4) slipped in the hunt for a postseason spot with a 16-9 loss at Philadelphia, falling to third place in the NFC North and losing ground among nine NFC teams with winning records.

Detroit has plenty of time to claw back with seven games left on the schedule, including against the slumping New York Giants (2-9) on Sunday at home.

“We’ve got to get another win, and we’ve got to get back on our feet,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “We’ve got to play better ball in all three units. The focus is New York Giants.

“Don’t worry about anything else. Don’t worry about what’s out there. Don’t worry about the NFC, NFC North. Don’t worry about the rankings or this or that. That doesn’t matter.”

Even though wins and losses are ultimately what matter — and that cost New York coach Brian Daboll his job earlier this month — Lions quarterback Jared Goff respects how competitive the Giants have been.

“They’ve lost in the last few minutes a handful of times this year and against good teams and teams with winning records,” Goff said. “So you look at that, and you go, `If a play or two goes a different way, they’re sitting here with a different record.’ We’re very aware of that.”

LaPorta out

Lions tight end Sam LaPorta is likely out for the rest of the season after having back surgery, Campbell said Friday.

LaPorta’s absence leaves a big void as Detroit found out in last week’s 16-9 loss at Philadelphia, where LaPorta was out of the lineup after going on injured reserve.

He has 40 receptions for 489 yards and three touchdowns this season and 186 catches for 2,104 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2 1/2 seasons.

“Certainly, losing Sam hurts,” Campbell said. “That hurts. But we’ll adjust, we’ll adapt. We’ve got plenty of weapons here, and our O-line’s going to do a hell of a job.”

Brock Wright, who has started games in each of his five seasons with the Lions, becomes the team’s starting tight end. The former Notre Dame standout has 11 catches for 79 yards and two touchdowns this season and 67 receptions for 603 yards and 11 scores in his career.

Giants’ Dart also out

Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart will miss a second consecutive game after getting concussed Nov. 9 at Chicago. Interim coach Mike Kafka said Friday that Dart remains in concussion protocol and had not progressed quickly enough to be cleared.

Journeyman Jameis Winston is set to start again, after going 19 of 29 for 201 yards passing with a rushing touchdown and an interception last weekend in a 27-20 home loss to Green Bay. Russell Wilson remains the backup.

Bouncing back

Detroit has played 54 regular-season games over three-plus years without losing two in a row, the NFL’s longest streak of avoiding consecutive setbacks since New England’s 56-game run from 2012-2015.

Since starting the 2022 season 1-6, the Lions are 13-0 straight up and against the spread after a loss.

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AP Sports Writer Stephen Whyno in East Rutherford, New Jersey, contributed to this report.

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