Lions C Dominic Raiola suspended for Week 17 game at Green Bay

The Detroit Lions' quest for the NFC North crown and a playoff bye got a little harder Monday.

Starting center Dominic Raiola, a 14-year veteran and team's longest-serving player, was suspended by the NFL for the regular-season finale against the Green Bay Packers for stomping on the ankle of Chicago Bears defensive tackle Ego Ferguson in the Lions' win Sunday at Soldier Field.

Raiola, long considered one of the league's dirtier players, technically violated Rule 12, Section 2, Article 12 (b) of the NFL Rule Book prohibiting "kicking or kneeing an opponent."

It was his sixth infraction of player safety rules since 2010.

Raiola can appeal the ruling but would currently be eligible for the playoffs if he accepts the suspension.

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Detroit has not won at Green Bay's Lambeau Field since 1991. The Lions can lock up the division and a first-round bye by beating the Packers and are still in play for the NFC's No. 1 seed, too.

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