With one notable exception, which I'll get back to, this would seem to have been the year when the Detroit Lions might have made a little noise. Maybe even -- gasp -- winning a playoff game or two.
Looking around the league, particularly the NFC, there seems to be an absence of really good teams.
In the Lions' own division, Green Bay doesn't appear to be all that. (Why they let Aaron Rodgers' favorite receiver, one Jordy Nelson, get away, is a head scratcher. What were they thinking?
Same with Minnesota. Nothing special there.
To the surprise of many, the Chicago Bears, yes, duh BEARS, are leading the division at 3-1.Maybe that Trubisky kid out of Carolina is going to work out OK after all.
In the East, Super Bowl champ Philly looks to be experiencing some sort of hangover, thrashing around at a mediocre 2-2.
The Cowboys are hard pressed to overcome the losses of Dez Bryant and Jason Witten.
The 'Skins lead the division, but they aren't any good.
Nor are the NY Giants.
Out West, the once mighty Seahawks have thudded back to earth. This is what happens when a team loses the likes of Kam Chancellor, Richard Sherman, and Michael Bennett. Their best safety, corner and pass rusher, respectively. Add Earl Thomas suffering a broken leg, and the legion of boom has become the legion of fizz.
Arizona sucks.
As does San Fran, especially since hot-shot QB Jimmy Garoppolo went down with a season-ending injury.
The exception mentioned above is the LA Rams. They appear to be the class of the NFC, if not the entire league. At 4-0, coach Sean McVay has those guys on a roll.
Down south, Carolina is a ho-hum.
One can never count out the Saints as long as Drew Brees is still there. But they hardly look overwhelming.
Atlanta, Sports Illustrated pick to win the Super Bowl this year, has been a disappointment, to say the least. Who would have thought they'd come out of the gate at 1-3?
Hence, considering how things have played out so far this season, it gave the Lions quite the opportunity to shine, if only a bit. Mostly due to the fact that, save the Rams, everybody else looks quite beatable.
But no. They're still the Lions, remember?
So of course they got hammed by the lowly Jets in their home opener, on Monday Night Football, no less, to the tune of 48-17, Can you say embarrassing?
Then a close loss to Frisco. But still a loss.
How they turned around and beat New England, of all teams, is a mystery for the ages.
And earlier today, the Detroit Puddy Tats lost on a last second field goal at Dallas. QB Matthew Stafford throws for over 300 yards and -- the Lions lose -- again. Sound familiar?
Now 1-3, they're in the basement of the NFC North.
Next week the Packers come to town. After starting out slow themselves, Aaron Rodgers and the Cheesers appear to have somewhat righted the proverbial ship.
Thing is, this is a do or die game for the Lions. If they win it to get back to 2-3, there will be hope. Yet if they lose it to drop to 1-4 they can pretty much kiss another season good-bye.
Regarding the "hope" in the previous paragraph, I should clarify. In Detroit, hope for the Lions springs eternal. After all the years, decades, the Motown sappies just don't know any better. It's kind of like salmon swimming upstream to die. The ending is always the same, and it's not a good one. But hey, if they want to keep throwing their money away and rooting for a pre-destined loser, ah reckon that's thar bidnuh. (Suckers).
But even in Detroit, who would have thought they could play themselves out of contention before Columbus day?
So you just know what's going to happen. Yep, they'll beat the Packers and the bandwagon of the obtuse will roll on.
But the Super Bowl? Please.
Saying Detroit Lions and Super Bowl in the same breath is like mixing oil and water (or Republicans and Democrats, for that matter). You can shake it all you want, but they'll never blend together in the end.
It's...... just...... not.....meant...... to.....be.
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