Following up on the previous post, I plopped down on a barstool next to my friend Dave shortly after the Lions had defeated the Dallas Cowboys in the waning seconds of the game. Also, in fairness, Dave was and is unaware of my long history with the Lions, as explained in the previous post as well. Had he known that, perhaps his attitude toward me regarding the Lions would have been slightly different -- or maybe not -- but sometimes conversations can be more informative when people DON'T know some things going in. At any rate, it went something like this:
Me: What's up, bro? I see the Lions lucked up and won the game at the last second.
Dave: Luck had nothing to do with it. It was skill.
M: Maybe, but....
D: No maybes about it. They drove the length of the field with under a minute to go, no time-outs, and scored the winning touchdown. Didn't you see it?
M: I caught the very end of it at home when I happened to click over during a yellow flag or a commercial. I had company and they were into the NASCAR race. So that's pretty much what we watched.
D: You didn't watch the Lions playing the Cowboys? Are you nuts?
M: Actually, the Lions aren't that important to me anymore. Long story.
D: You missed out big time, dude. This place was rocking a little while ago.
M: I suppose, but the company was pretty good too, and they wanted to see the race. Didn't much matter to me.
D: If you'd have seen it, you'd know the Lions are a great team. Only great teams come back and win games like that.
M: Maybe, but from what little I saw -- I still think they got lucky too.
D: How do you figure that?
M: Well, I did see Matthew Stafford jump over the goal line on a surprise quarterback sneak. If Dallas stuffs him on that play, the clock runs out and the Lions lose. Sometimes that's what it comes down to -- a little luck.
D: So you don't think the Lions are a great team?
M: Not really. In the whole scheme of things in the NFL, they might be a little bit better than average.
D: Yeah, well they're 5-3.
M: Exactly my point. A little better than average.
D: With a few breaks, they could have been 6-2, or 7-1. Maybe even 8-0.
M: (Sigh). Perhaps, but if those breaks go the other way, they might be 3-5, 2-6, or maybe even 1-7. Plus, they've had a weak schedule. Last time I looked, the rest of it gets even weaker. The way the NFL has shaken out this year -- in the second half of the season, the only good team they face is the Packers, and they get them at home. Because of that, they've got a shot at the playoffs, but they'll get blown out quick. Too many other really good NFC teams out there.
D: Oh, so now you're Mr. Doom and Gloom. Is that it?
M: Not exactly. I think the Lions themselves have provided the doom and gloom for the last half century or so. No offense, but have you been paying attention to reality?
D: That doesn't matter. This is a new year and I think the Lions have a good chance to make it to the Super Bowl.
M: We'll have to agree to disagree on that one.
D: But no matter what -- there is always hope -- right?
M: Sure is. Ever been to Las Vegas? The casino operators out there rake in billions every year based on hope. Same with the state lotteries. You could be a big winner -- but I wouldn't bet on it -- no pun intended.
D: Well, I still think the the Lions have a shot.
M: Come again?
D: A shot?
M: Thanks for the offer, but no. I swore off shots a long time ago. Pretty much stick to beer these days.
D: Huh?
M: Nevermind. It wasn't important.
D: Whatever, dude, but you're acting a little weird.
M: Yeah, but I used to be a lot weirder, especially when it came to the Lions.
D: What's that supposed to mean?
M: Nothing, but you just caused me to have a blast from the past rattle around in my head.
D: Oh man, don't tell me. It's about an ex that didn't work out.
M: Something like that, and you're right. It would probably be better if you didn't know.
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