Detroit Lions path to Superbowl Glory!!!
All we need to make the playoffs this year is...
1. Lions win out
2. Vikings lost to Lions Bears/Dolphins
3. Eagles lose to Rams
4. Redskins lose 2 games
5. Panthers lose 1 game
6. Packers lose to Lions
7. Buccaneers lose 1 game
Honestly i started posting this as a joke. But the only thing in doubt on this list as a possibility is the Lions win out. But if they beat the Vikings, that becomes a realistic possibility. With only the Packers and Bills to play besides Minnesota.
Feel free to refile this post in the What are you smoking thread.
December 11th, 2018 at 12:08 PM ^
I got a Gary Danielson Lions jersey as a Christmas present once. Talk about a shitty gift.
December 11th, 2018 at 12:29 PM ^
Exactly why I have a Joey Harrington jersey in my closet. Xmas present about 2 weeks before his final game as a Lion. Mom-in-law must've gotten it on deep clearance. I will keep it forever.
A Danielson #16 jersey is also a cherished momento. My dream? A man cave adorned with every starting Lions QB jersey since my fandom commenced in the 70's (since Greg Landry). I need Jeff Komlo's name hanging on my wall.
December 11th, 2018 at 12:34 PM ^
That Eric Hipple jersey must be a real conversation starter! We all remember his one and done Monday night game!!!
December 11th, 2018 at 1:19 PM ^
I too have the clearance road Harrington jersey in my closet, but I only wear it for special occasions.
December 11th, 2018 at 3:10 PM ^
How about the jerseys of all the Lions who retired in their prime due to injury or loss of interest: Billy Sims, Doug English, Barry Sanders, Megatron...
December 11th, 2018 at 12:06 PM ^
So you're saying there's a chance?!
December 11th, 2018 at 12:07 PM ^
I've changed my position on Matt Stafford.
I'm not quite as reactive to his mediocrity this year; my position was that the Lions had been waiting 50 years for a franchise QB and now that one has come along you have to roll with him. If that means changing coaches to find someone who can use his talents (the Lions reliance on a short passing game with his arm is absurd) then so be it.
The problem is that Stafford may be capable of better than he has shown, but he is not one of the truly elite. By "truly elite" I mean, basically, Brady and Rodgers and Brees and now probably Patrick Mahomes. Three guys that are locks to be in any all-time QB list and maybe one guy who could get there.
There are two kinds of teams that tend to win Super Bowls: Teams with truly elite QBs, and teams with cheap QBs (probably on their rookie deals) that are good but that leave them with money to wisely load their roster in other positions.
Since the Cap era began in 1994, I would argue that the only teams with a Super Bowl title that don't fit this description are the Bucs in 2003, the two Giants titles, and perhaps one could argue about the 2015 Broncos. It's the "good" part of the "good and cheap" clause that's important these days, as Trent Dilfer in 2000 was only decent.
The upshot here is that Stafford is now getting paid Elite QB money. He has the potential to perform at a top-10 level, but the Lions now are better off hoping for a cheap guy that can perform at a top 15 level but that allows them to spend for OL protection, skill players, and elite defensive talent.
Look at the teams that are good this year: Teams like LA and Chicago and KC, with cheap young QBs and talent everywhere on the roster, joined by Tom Brady and Drew Brees. Look at who won last year--an Eagles team with a cheap young QB (and a cheap backup) with talent everywhere on the roster. Look at recent titles by non-elite guys--Russell Wilson, a cheap young QB surrounded by talent. Joe Flacco, literally at the very end of his cheap contract, playing his best football with talent everywhere on his roster.
Look at the Vikings, spending big money for a good-but-not-HOF QB and neglecting their OL. Shut out yesterday.
I think Stafford is capable of better than his coaches have gotten out of him, but I don't think he can be elite enough to carry a team to a title, and that means that the Lions have to ditch him.
December 11th, 2018 at 12:13 PM ^
Stafford put up points with Linnehan. I know he had Calvin but even in games he missed he put up points with Burleson, Bush, Scheffler etc.
I think Stafford is the kind of QB where you have to live with some turnovers. Caldwell really tried to take that out of him and implement a short control passing game and that just isn't his strength. I really hope this off-season they hire an OC that wants to push the ball down field again. Lions play at the slowest pace in the NFL. They need to change that.
I am still not sold Stafford is the solution in Detroit. He is a good QB, just don't know if he his good enough to take up the cap space he does.
December 11th, 2018 at 12:19 PM ^
I think that if you paired Stafford with a really good offense (say, the Rams) he'd blossom again. I really do--I wouldn't be surprised if he was an upgrade from Jared Goff over there.
But Jared Goff gets paid rookie deal money. If they signed Stafford and he was indeed an upgrade, they'd still be unable to pay, say, Todd Gurley, or a couple of their hot receivers, or Aaron Donald, or some combination of these. Goff has been, other than the game in Chicago, good enough. Stafford would be an upgrade over Trubisky in Chicago, but Trubisky has been good enough, and the money they have available by not having a guy like Stafford getting paid that kind of money means they can trade for Khalil Mack, etc.
So even if the Lions can upgrade the OC (and I hope they do, realistically it's the best and only path for this) and Stafford is better and the offense improves, they're still using so much cap space for him that there are weaknesses on the roster that he is not great enough to cover. Only a few guys in the NFL ARE good enough to cover such weaknesses and even all-timers like Aaron Rodgers can have a tough time.
It would be really interesting if a couple of teams that have performed really well with young QBs that are good but not all-timers decide to risk letting them go instead of paying them big money. Say, the Rams drop Goff and the Eagles drop Wentz. Suddenly you have good-not-elite QBs on the market and the price gets driven down, but there are still guys that can be signed and win. It would be a sea change for the sport.
Which is why it will never happen.
December 11th, 2018 at 12:22 PM ^
they need to upgrade their offensive line and the offensive coordinator. a true deep threat would help also.
December 11th, 2018 at 12:28 PM ^
It is a huge problem that the O-line is still bad with all the resources they have put into it. 2 1st rounders and 2 of the biggest FA signings in Quinn's tenure.
December 11th, 2018 at 12:33 PM ^
I agree with you. If i was a GM, I would tank two years and use the high picks to build up a defense. Then draft a QB when everything else is in place. I think this is what Gruden is doing in Oak.
We are seeing what you are explaining playing out in Seattle. They have had to let a lot of their talent walk to pay Russel Wilson (some got old).
December 11th, 2018 at 12:44 PM ^
I'm not sure that Gruden knows what he's doing. We'll see if he actually rebuilds well or not (he has time, so perhaps this is exactly what he has in mind). I completely agree with you about Russell Wilson and Seattle.
December 11th, 2018 at 12:52 PM ^
I have no patience for the mass of idiots that scream "CUT STAFFORD!!", and when asked why just say he's not a winner (or something similarly stoopid). STFU if you don't have a valid reason!
This argument, though, is the clearest, most valid reason I've ever heard to dump Stafford. It's one I can get behind. The guy has an incredible arm, but it hasn't been used to devastating effect in years. I hated Linehan - he made some dummass play call decisions, often. But I'll admit now, with the benefit of hindsight, that he was the best OC the Lions have had in decades, going back to Barry and the run and shoot teams that got eaten alive by the Redskins.
And you're right, SJRK, Quinn can't afford to put anyone around him. Even if they could find an OC that could make use of that arm... I wouldn't be unhappy to draft someone like Kyler Murray (why will he waste his time in baseball?), or even Haskins. But the OC has to change to someone capable of building around the QB's talents. And with Stafford's paygrade, that can't happen...
December 11th, 2018 at 1:16 PM ^
This is a well reasoned take. The one thing I would caution is including any player on his rookie deal into the collection of "potential all time greats".
Completely agree that Mahomes looks amazing. Dak Prescott did too. Cam Newton. RGIII, the list goes on. Wait until they get scouted and a coach tries to construct an offense around them. Most fall back to earth.
December 11th, 2018 at 1:18 PM ^
I'm using guarded language about Mahomes, but he looks different than any QB I've seen come into the league in years. Most of the other guys listed there performed well; Mahomes is performing at an MVP level. It's impossible to project a 10-15-20 year career on to any player, but Mahomes looks as promising as it gets.
This is the time for the Chiefs to try to win regardless, since he's on a rookie-scale deal. If it turns out that he's an all-timer, that will affect them (positively) during his second contract.
FWIW Cam Newton is in that tier just below Brady/Brees/Rodgers; he's excellent. His MVP was not a fluke.
December 11th, 2018 at 12:10 PM ^
I'm sure the lions would pull off a win in GB in the last game of the season. There's no chance the backup comes in and throws for nearly 500 yards and 6 TD's.
December 11th, 2018 at 12:14 PM ^
Meanwhile here in Cleveland we too have a similar path to the Super Bowl albiet needing a lot less help than the Lions.
I have to say though that Baker is most definitely the real deal at QB. He went 18-22 on Sunday and the four incompletions were drops. That dude can flat out ball and with him, Chubb & Landry on offense coupled with Garrett, Ward and Peppers on defense we have one hell of a nucleus. Plus the most cap room in the NFL to go for FA in the off season.
I'm genuinely optimistic about our chances next year. For real.
December 11th, 2018 at 12:20 PM ^
the night baker mayfield took over and had that awesome coming out game i commented that the browns might be a real football team now.
funny thing i read this morning was that the Bengals might hire that Hue Jackson dumbass as their new head coach. how that makes any sense is beyond me considering he was 1-31 or something in cleveland.
December 11th, 2018 at 1:04 PM ^
I never understood the panning of taking Mayfield that high received. It's like nobody had actually watched him play! The dude won at every level, and earned his PT better than anyone else. And he's electric! WTF were pro scouts and NFL fans looking for?
I guess if you're not 6'3", 225#, you can't play QB...
::Drew Brees says 'Wut?'::
December 11th, 2018 at 12:22 PM ^
I was wondering about that. If I were a Browns fan this would be the most excited I had been since the franchise restarted (maaaaybe that Kelly Holcomb playoff berth, maybe not). Finally some real talent showing up, finally the right guy at QB. The HC choice at the end of the year is crucial, but you're set up. I'm happy for you.
And it fits the profile I outlined above--young, cheap QB that's good, talent everywhere else.
I think the Browns could be great as soon as next year. They've been fun this season.
December 11th, 2018 at 12:35 PM ^
Who do you want to be the new HC?
December 11th, 2018 at 1:13 PM ^
Lincoln Riley would be choice A but I'm hearing on the Twitters he doesnt want to come to Cleveland. Choice B might be Bieniemi with the Chiefs or Matt Campbell. And if they keep playing like this and winning it's gonna be real hard to give Gregg Williams and Freddie Kitchens the boot now wont it?
And FWIW Peppers is having a fantastic year. He is killing it in the PFF fancy stats and is finally starting to show his punt return skills on a more frequent basis. They really are fun to watch right now and the city is about to go nuts watching them.
Lebron had to leave so Baker could rise. And that little cocky fucker is going to be the face of the city here before long. He's so fun. Side note - if you watched our game last Sunday you saw him hit Brett Perriman on a 66 yard bomb on the first play of the game once we had the ball. I guess in the huddle after the call came in Baker looked at Perriman and just said "haul ass...the ball is coming to you."
How awesome is that?
December 11th, 2018 at 2:01 PM ^
really happy for you mgrowold. really. you see, like many here, i'm a lions fan....[sound of grown man fighting back tears]
December 11th, 2018 at 1:11 PM ^
Remind me of your optimism when they hire Jeff Fisher.
December 11th, 2018 at 12:15 PM ^
Hey, if nothing else, looks like recreational marijuana in Michigan is giving people optimism. For what this state's gone through in the last few decades, looks like this initiative is already paying off.
Can't wait to start 2019 with the first leg of the All-Four-Professional-Championships-In-One-Year Tour!
December 11th, 2018 at 12:20 PM ^
They will probably win two of the last couple games just to ruin their chance at a higher draft pick. Could have had a top 10 pick, but that's in doubt now. Even if they trade it, would have been worth it to tank.
December 11th, 2018 at 12:21 PM ^
And one day UM will beat Ohio State.
December 11th, 2018 at 12:33 PM ^
At this point in time after the flogging rendered by Ohio state I feel compelled to sing.
"somewhere over the rainbow----------"
December 11th, 2018 at 12:25 PM ^
Best part of the post: "Feel free to refile this post in the What are you smoking thread."
Well done.
December 11th, 2018 at 12:28 PM ^
I've said it before (probably on this site) that the one constant in the Lions mediocrity (and hopelessness) is the Ford ownership of the team. There is nothing else.
In some alternate universe, William Clay Ford Sr. never bought the team, and it continued its tradition of winning championships. I'm convinced that the only way the Lions will ever reach the Super Bowl is if they are sold to a new owner.
December 11th, 2018 at 12:45 PM ^
Unfortunately, that new owner then takes a sweetheart tax incentive deal, moves the team to a high revenue market, becomes good again, and breaks your heart anyway. (see Stan Kroenke and the Rams)
December 11th, 2018 at 2:17 PM ^
Frankly, I wouldn't be opposed to the team moving, apart from the loss of revenue supporting the relatively new Ford Field that the state of Michigan will be funding ad infinitum (ref: Pontiac Silverdome).
December 11th, 2018 at 12:32 PM ^
This is impossible unless some other random offensive weapon shows up that can remove bracket coverage from Golladay. We have no TEs, no second wide receiver, and no RB 1 as Johnson is injured. Hard to win without an offense.
December 11th, 2018 at 1:46 PM ^
They will almost certainly lose to the Packers and likely to the Vikings as well. I will say I’m very impressed with what Patricia has done with the defense. They are bereft of talent yet are becoming more competive as they absorb the scheme.
He needs someone who can scheme and play call a creative run offense that passes off those run sets. Without a hyper accurate west coast style QB (which Stafford is absolutely not) you need a Flacco offense. Run a ton and throw intermediate and deep routes.
December 11th, 2018 at 12:32 PM ^
If the Lions would have won some games they should have won, like the T-day game against the Bears, on the road at the 49ers and their home opener against the lowly Jets, then they would have been in the playoff hunt!
December 11th, 2018 at 12:33 PM ^
What's more of a Lions thing to happen: the exact opposite of all of these outcomes happening or all of these outcomes happening except the very last game, preventing a playoff berth?
December 11th, 2018 at 12:34 PM ^
Playoffs?
You talking playoffs?
Dony talk about the playoffs.
December 11th, 2018 at 12:35 PM ^
Careful. Such an event would cause an extreme paradox and cause a rift in the space-time continuum resulting in the destruction of the universe. It would be worth it though.
December 11th, 2018 at 12:36 PM ^
One of the requirements is beating a Minnesota team that sacked Stafford TEN times earlier this year. Not happening.
December 11th, 2018 at 12:38 PM ^
I will save you the trouble. We aren't beating Buffalo in Buffalo.
December 11th, 2018 at 12:45 PM ^
I just want to note that this absurdly optimistic Detroit Lions post probably has nothing to do with the legalization of recreational marijuana in Michigan
December 11th, 2018 at 12:55 PM ^
Been a fan for 40 years. This team has no chance of being great. They are so far away from greatness that even getting to the playoffs doesn’t excite me. How anyone can still believe in this team, with this ownership, is beyond my ability for optimism.
December 11th, 2018 at 1:47 PM ^
i've said for a long time the lions are cursed until the ford family sells the team. might just need fresh blood in ownership and management to spark something. otherwise the ford family Lions will just continue in mediocrity.
December 11th, 2018 at 1:10 PM ^
You just know it'll come down to a last second loss to Rodgers in week 17.
December 11th, 2018 at 1:14 PM ^
Loins will win their next few, other teams will lose that they need to and then they'll lose to the Packers in the last game of the season in devastating fashion just as we got our hopes up.
December 11th, 2018 at 1:15 PM ^
This is like people asking if we could make playoffs after the trouncing in Columbus...
December 11th, 2018 at 1:16 PM ^
This is the summary of my 47 years as a Lions fan. I couldn't have explained it better if I were to write pages and pages.
This is my Lions fandom wrapped into one shitty post.
And by shitty post, let me be clear - THIS GOT ME EXCITED! It is actually possible!
I'M BACK ON THE BANDWAGON BABY!