The Lions won their season opener against the St. Louis Rams in what could be called a strange contest. In the first half, QB Matthew Stafford tossed three interceptions, one for a "pick 6", and the other two were oh-so-close to being the same. He also threw a fourth ball straight to a St. Louis defensive back, which SHOULD have been intercepted -- but was dropped. If that ball was caught, the final outcome might very well have gone the other way -- but it wasn't -- and it didn't. In the end, a win is a win, and that's all that really matters in the NFL.
Looking within the game, the Lions had twice as many passing yards. No great surprise there. The rushing yards were about even, but it's fairly common knowledge the Lions don't have much of a ground game. Their offense is going to live or die with their high-octane passing attack. Somewhat surprisingly, the time of possession for both teams over the entire game was almost dead even. Throw all this together, stir well, and what should you get? A close game, at least on the scoreboard, with one team scratching out a win at the end. Coin flip -- Lions. This time.
Overlooked in all this is the make-up of the St. Louis Rams. Besides coming off a woeful 2-14 2011 season, they've got well over 30 players that weren't there last year, including 17 rookies. To boot, they've got a new (at least to them) head coach in Jeff Fisher, who no doubt installed a different system. Talk about starting from square one. Right out of the gate, the Rams have to go on the road and open up against a play-off team from last year. Nothing quite like getting thrown straight into the line of fire to start things off. All things considered, the Rams not only accounted for themselves fairly well, but could easily have won that game.
Next week, the Lions get thrown into the fire when they travel to San Francisco. Last year, then rookie head coach Jim Harbaugh turned that team around in a hurry. They went from doormats to knocking on the door of Super Bowl. Also, to start this year, the 49ers waltzed into Green Bay and put a thumping on Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in front of the usual raucous crowd at Lambeau Field. Very impressive stuff. It's a pretty safe assumption the 49ers are currently considered amongst the elite teams in the NFL.
So OK. By however means, the Lions squeaked by the Rams. Next week they'll get a true litmus test when they tangle with the 49ers. Historically, the Lions haven't fared well on the west coast, but of course that was then -- and this is now. Then again, the 49ers haven't been so hot since way back in the Steve Young/Joe Montana days. The Lions? Try the Eisenhower administration. My, how things change, sometimes quickly. Or is it a mirage?
The Lions and their fans will know a lot more about their team after next Sunday night's game. Those guys waiting out in San Fran aren't the "brand new" Rams just feeling their way around. While it's possible the 49ers might experience somewhat of a letdown after such a game in Green Bay, and maybe slightly overlook the Lions, chances are, with Harbaugh at the helm, they're going to "bring it". It's THEIR home opener.
Whether or not the Lions deserve elite status is certainly debatable. Usually a team has to at least GET to a Super Bowl before they're considered in such a manner. In their entire somewhat sordid history, the Lions have never even played a game to QUALIFY for the Big Dance, let alone win the Lombardi trophy.
Yes, one step at a time, but with apologies to the late Neil Armstrong, next Sunday's game could be one giant leap for Lionskind. Or not.
The "eagle" will land in San Fran. Will it suffer a malfunction after it gets there or find it's way back home in triumphant glory? Apollo 11 or Apollo 13?
Tune in next Sunday to find out.....
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