Wooooooh...Lions playoff bound!

Submitted by UM2k1 on
With a thrashing of the Chargers, the Lions have secured a playoff birth for the first time since 1999!


Discuss...

SalvatoreQuattro

December 24th, 2011 at 10:03 PM ^

since the 91' divisional playoff game versus Dallas. Stafford was absolutely brilliant.

 

The defense recorded no sacks and did not force a turnover until 5 minutes left in the game and they still dominated. An amazing performance by a shorthanded defense.

 

What is exciting is how good this team CAN BE. First they must re-sign Tulloch and Avril. Second, Leshoure and Best must come back from their injuries. Third, they need some fresh blood along the line. Left tackle in particular. Backus is not bad, but he is 35.

Re-signing Tulloch and Avril are musts. Avril in particular is huge. They already lost McBride and they do not have another DE who creates a rush like him. If he goes that means the first pick has to go for DE. 

 

But for the first time in, well, ever, I can say that I am confident that the Lions will find a way to navigate around these pressing issues.

MichFan1997

December 24th, 2011 at 10:09 PM ^

my first ever Lions game in person. I picked out a great one. So I end 2011 by going 21-2 in sports events I went to.

Tigers: 11-2

Lions: 1-0

Red Wings: 2-0

Pistons: 1-0

Michigan: 6-0

bronxblue

December 24th, 2011 at 10:34 PM ^

Great win today to stamp a ticket to the playoffs.  And to think, this team is still missing some major pieces in LeShoure and Fairley who should be able to contribute next year.  

I remember watching that '99 Lions team in HS and thinking that they had a chance to be a consistent playoff team for years to come.  Then Bobby Ross became Gary Moeller and they lost on a last-second FG to Chicago to miss the playoffsand the wheels came off.  I am so happy to see the team finally make a comeback, and hopefully they keep the trajectory going.

And as someone who had to watch both NY teams play today, I'd love for the Lions to match up against the Giants.

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

December 24th, 2011 at 10:50 PM ^

It's my Suh jersey.  Bought it last year at the Bears game, which was the last Lions loss of the season, and afterwards they went on a 13-game winning streak if you count being preseason champs.  Lucky jersey.  Shoulda bought it earlier, but what can ya do?

maineandblue

December 24th, 2011 at 11:06 PM ^

"OFFTOPIC

  • Pro sports of any variety"

Just because a lot of U of M fans are from the state of Michigan and/or are Lions fans, doesn't mean that everyone is. Is it that hard to add an "OT" to your Lions posts? Congrats to Lions fans, but this isn't the 'Nam. There are rules here.

Hokemaniac

December 24th, 2011 at 11:37 PM ^

Are one in the same. Both fooled every year by their team even on a good year get the build up in their minds watching their thugs of football players only for the realty check that brings them back down. Oh and Gym Shorts can't handle a mans handshake.

uminks

December 25th, 2011 at 3:51 AM ^

I was back in Michigan for a couple weeks during the Holidays. I went to see the last game of the year against the packers where the Lions locked up the division. Then I went to the playoff game against the packers. Ugh!  I still remember Farve hitting his wide open receiver in the end-zone at the end of the game. The packer's receiver was so wide open and I felt like throwing my shoe to deflect his pass!

May be the lions will win their first playoff game!!!! At least they are making significant progress. Now all they need to do is build up the OL, LB and find a good RB.

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

December 25th, 2011 at 10:34 AM ^

Eh, I do think linebacker is a spot that Mayhew should key in on.  I don't think I'd go so far as to say Levy has struggled, but the truth is that we've only got four players' worth of playable depth there - the three starters plus Carpenter, who is definitely a boom-or-bust type that I wouldn't want as an every-down backer.

On the other hand, it wouldn't bother me a bit if all seven picks were used on the offensive line.

SalvatoreQuattro

December 25th, 2011 at 10:48 AM ^

They need to upgrade at certain spots, but their line is no worse than Green Bays. They do need to work on improving the run game so to that end they need linemen who can be effective run blockers.
<br>
<br>But it is hardly a terrible line. In the NFL every QB get hit so it is unrealistic to expect Stafford to go untouched game after game.The absence of a run game is what is the issue. They have together stronger in that area.

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

December 25th, 2011 at 10:54 AM ^

They do need to work on improving the run game so to that end they need linemen who can be effective run blockers.

That's basically what I mean.  The pass-blocking is decent enough (though most of these guys are kind of old) but the run-blocking stinks.  It just isn't nearly good enough to be a consistent, year-after-year complement to the passing game.  And this is a year where the Lions have had remarkable good health and consistency (in terms of who's starting) on the O-line, so this is essentially as good as it gets.

MidMichiganLaurence

December 25th, 2011 at 6:32 AM ^

in the last three years. From 0-16 to playoffs, and they didn't even need all 16 games to get in. That's just showing off.  I would say only Rodgers, Brees, and Brady have been better than Stafford this year. He is an elite QB. To be able to shake off the China Doll moniker after what he has gone through the last two years is a testament to his hard work and leadership. It also helps when you have the best receiver on the planet to throw to. Can't wait to see this combo do work over the next decade. 

Hokemaniac

December 25th, 2011 at 12:06 PM ^

And two lions losses from now this post won't even exist and you Lions fans can go hide in your caves. The Lions schedule this year consists of wins of mediocre and terrible teams and when they play real teams they got destroyed. This is coming from someone who grew up going to the silverdome

bacon1431

December 25th, 2011 at 12:17 PM ^

They got destroyed in two games - Packers on Thanksgiving and @Chicago (who they beat at home). They played with New Orleans and the games against the 49ers and Falcons were decided late in the 4th. Lions beat the teams that they were supposed to beat and played some good teams tough. I don't think anybody being an objective fan thinks they have a great chance of getting to or winning the Super Bowl, but they are a good team, and young, so I think Lions' fans optimism is justified.

PS - they beat possible playoff teams on the road (Cowboys, Raiders), killed possible playoff teams (Chiefs and Broncos) and handily beat a team that was on a 3 game win streak with a QB that had only lost 2 games in December in the last 5 seasons (IIRC). So I think you're the one that is having trouble being objective.

bacon1431

December 25th, 2011 at 2:40 PM ^

It's the NFL. Anybody can win on any Sunday. If you get 10 wins in the NFL, you earned them. If we're going to start discrediting wins, our (Michigan's) season is not very impressive. Get over it. I don't see why you're playing Scrooge when the Lions are going to the playoffs for the first time in 12 years. And have 10 wins for the first time in almost 20. Let the fans celebrate. Last I checked, none of us are claiming they're up there with the 72 Dolphins.

MidMichiganLaurence

December 25th, 2011 at 4:39 PM ^

Rams beat NO. Seattle beat Baltimore. Welcome to the NFL. They play the teams on their schedule. They have no control over how those teams are going to do during the year. They can only worry about themselves. They should have beat ATL and SF. The other three were expected losses. Tell ya what: I would not want to be playing the Lions when that offense is clicking.

Michigan4Life

December 25th, 2011 at 12:38 PM ^

get destroyed by the Packers.  They were in the game until they fell apart in 2nd half.  Stafford was still nursing an injured index finger on his throwing hand.  Since Stafford took his gloves off, he was on fire.  As long as Stafford can stay healthy, I have no doubt that the Lions can make the Super Bowl run this season.

MaxGoBlue

December 26th, 2011 at 6:08 PM ^

Here are the scenarios for the Lions to get a 5th seed and meet DAL/NYG instead of NO.

CHI @ GB ATL @ NO DET @ GB CHI @ MIN TB @ ATL CAR @ NO Wild Cards
either Atl wins Det wins either TB wins either 5-Lions,

6-Falcons
GB wins NO wins Det wins either either either 5-Lions,

6-Falcons
GB wins NO wins GB wins either TB wins either 5-Lions,

6-Falcons

Looks like we want NO to win tonight in MNF, and TB to beat ATL next week. Basically, the more ATL loses, the better it is for us.

If NO wins tonight, and DET beats a resting GB that already has home field locked up, then we're in good shape. Atlanta needs to at least lose once, regardless.