Watching a Lions' game could likely be compared to watching a lengthy debate between a couple of slick politicians. One can follow the action of both very closely, but upon reflection when it's all over, one realizes they still don't have any answers to their concerns.
No doubt, the Lions have improved over the last couple years, but there's only one way to go when starting off at the bottom of a well. Their fans, and some local scribes, are eternally optimistic. Some even dare mention the Super Bowl. (Time out. There's a difference between optimism and delusional.) Yet the nagging question persists. Are they finally pretty good or just the same old bumblers in disguise?
Somewhat predictably, the Lions beat the St. Louis Rams in their first game. Also predictably, they then got thrashed by the superior San Fran 49ers in the second contest. So OK, everything was on schedule, no pun intended. Then came the game at the Tennessee Titans. Holy P. T. Barnum, what a circus that turned out to be. It was as if the Lions were trying their best -- to lose it.
They gave up a punt return for a touchdown and a kickoff return for another touchdown. (Second time out. Did the Lions sneak that pesky Matt Millen back onto the payroll as their special teams' coach?) A Titan defensive back took the ball out of a Lion receiver's hands and sped away for yet another touchdown. If that's not bad enough, a Tennessee receiver reached both his arms over the shoulders of a Lions' defensive back, plucked the ball away, then continued on for yet another touchdown, while the clueless DB looked around wondering what just happened. On their most imaginative day, even the Ringling Bros. couldn't have choreographed a better clown act. That will likely be shown often on various lowlight replays. As they say -- C'MON MAN. Throw in their usual asssortment of bone-headed penalties, and this should have been a blowout. Out of timeouts and down 14 points with less than a minute to go in regulation time, replacement QB Shaun Hill threw a ball straight to a Titan defensive back in the end zone, which was intercepted. That should have been game, set, match, and checkmate.
But it wasn't, because then the absurd happened. On a bone-headed play of their own, the Titans had roughed the QB. The Lions quickly scored a touchdown. Not so surprising. Then they recovered the ensuing on-side kick. An eye opener. Finally, in a desperation Hail Mary heave with time expiring, the ball was deflected to a Lions receiver who fell into the end zone for a TD. Game tied. Incredible. (Final time out. Starting Lions' QB Matthew Stafford suffered some sort of lower right leg injury, severity unknown, and had long since been out of the game before the insanity started. I hope the "China Doll" syndrome he was famous for not long ago hasn't reared it's fragile head again.)
Of course, the Lions would go on to lose the game on a very questionable call from head coach Jim Schwartz. Down by three in OT, faced with 4th down and a long yard, and within "automatic" field goal range to tie the game and play on -- Schwartz decided to roll the dice and go for it. A QB sneak into a beefed up defensive line that promptly stuffed it. After rolling a few lucky 7's, the Lions finally crapped out.
Now they're 1-2 and return home to face the so-called lowly Minnesota Vikings. Thing is, while the Lions were bumbling there way around in Nashville, the Vikings were thumping those same 49ers who had hammered the Lions just last week. Maybe those guys in purple have been underestimated. Remember (YO) Adrian Peterson, the world class running back who's career was thought to be over after a horrific knee injury? He's not only back but in fine form. A defensive coordinator's nightmare.
Regardless, the Vikings game could very well make or break the Lions' season, because if they bumble again, they'll go into the bye week at 1-3, with road games at Philly and Chicago coming up next. These are not easy places to play. Sure, anything can happen in the NFL from week to week, and often does, but if somehow the Lions were to find themselves 1-5, that would spell big trouble. The remainder of their schedule includes a couple "easy" games against Seattle and Jacksonville, and maybe even the Indy Colts with rookie QB Andrew Luck. But several heavyweights await them as well. Home and away with the Packers. The Atlanta Falcons are good. Enough said. Playing out in Arizona is no bargain either against the resurgent Cardinals. On Thanksgiving day, the Houston Texans visit Detroit. The Texans not only put points on the board, but have the #1 defense in the NFL, including a ferocious pass rush and ball-hawking defensive backs. They just hog-tied the Peyton Manning led Broncos in Denver, no small feat, and might very well carve up the Lions on turkey day.
Another game with the Vikes on the road, and home for Da Bears. Coin flips.
Yeah, I know. Trying to foresee long term outcomes in the NFL is akin to predicting whether the skies will be clear or cloudy on any given day a few months from now -- and that's why they play the games.
Indeed, the Lions could be everything the pollyannas think they are, wind up 14-2, and go on to bring the Lombardi trophy back to Detroit as Super Bowl champions. But excuse me if I find that harder to believe than a politician's campaign promises.
On the other hand, what would happen if, after all the hype about them being contenders, they bumble to a 7-9 record, or worse, and miss the playoffs entirely? Would the always fickle media turn on them and call for heads to roll? Would their freshly revved-up fans fade back into the "same old Lions" mentality?
Beats me, but it all starts with the Vikes next week.
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