On January 5th, 1992 the Detroit Lions hosted the Dallas Cowboys at The Pontiac Silverdome.
The Lions came in off a bye after recording a 12-4 regular season and a NFC Central title. This was a rematch of the Week # 9 game, at the same venue, that Detroit won 34-10.
The Lions would win this playoff game before a raucous crowd 38-6 and advance to the NFC Championship game. They came out with a passing attack, as the Cowboys decided that Barry was not going to beat them. Erik Kramer and his receivers moved the ball at will, and Barry broke one late to cap things off.
Times were good. I was in middle school, and I think we all thought this was the start of a run in professional football.
We were wrong. The opponent we had outscored 72-16 in two games in the 1991 season went on to start their own dynasty the year after.
Since that point, the Lions have lost EVERY playoff game they have played in. The fact is, there haven't been many.
We would host a game, the next year in the WC round only to lose on a 46 yard bomb Favre to Sharpe. That was also the last division title. Since then, there has simply been failure in the playoffs, for the few times we've made it.
There was the 1995 WC game at The Vet. That Lions team won 7 straight to end the year. That offense was record-breaking. The Halftime score was 38-7.
Then, there was the 1997 WC game in Tampa. This was the week after Barry crossed 2000 yards. The Lions managed 10 points.
Barry retired and that next decade plus felt like an lifetime.
We would make the playoffs the year Sanders retired, but that was short-lived as we never were in the game at Washington.
The Matt Millen era soon commenced and it wasn't until the Stafford and Calvin alliance took form that the Lions returned to the postseason. You may remember that shootout at the Superdome that was humbling as can be.
The 2014 Lions team was the best of my lifetime since 1991. That defense was so good. Suh was a monster. The offense was really solid too and had playmakers. That of course ends in some controversy in Dallas on the picked up flag in the 2h of a game the Lions were leading and driving at the time.
One last Stafford playoff appearance in 2016, but that Lions team was average at best. The Seahawks smoked them and that was the end of an era.
As we talk now, the Lions have not won a playoff game in 31 years and 9 days. They have had two of the most talented skill position players retire at the top of their game on them. One of the most faithful fanbases has been constantly crushed.
Enter a new era in Lions football.
Today, is certainly FITTING.
The Lions return to the playoffs.
The host their first game EVER at Ford Field.
They host their first game in THIRTY years in the playoffs.
Who do they face? Their BEST QB in modern franchise history.
Matt Fratty Stafford had to leave Detroit to reach the pinnacle.
Two years ago, he divided an entire town during the Ram's run to a championship. You were either ALL IN on 'Detroit Rams' or you absolutely hated the fact he was winning "without us".
Tonight, he is the villain. Our leader just so happens to be the QB who Stafford was traded for.
COULD YOU ASK FOR A BETTER STORY??
NOPE.
Now, why did I give this history of basically 95% of my time as a Lions fan? Well, we can cap this game to death, crunch the numbers and find edges. We've been doing that all week. The one part of this cap I want to look at is tonight's HFA....
I expect you will see one of the most raucous crowds in recent memory. In fact, I expect that the Ford Field crowd will set decibel records tomorrow night. That venue has been a huge HFA advantage the last two seasons and in this WC game, I expect something we have never seen before. This crowd is likely worth an extra 1.5-2.0 points on the line tomorrow night. That is personal opinion, but I think we see it play out that way.
Now, does that mean I think we will win? No. I have said before the match was official and all week, I expect one heckuva game. I see this being a 4th quarter game decided by one possession. I've indicated I like the over, a TT in some fashion and also have some prop leans.
Have a pulled the trigger on totals yet? No, I do lean over. But, those with an under angle I would like to hear your reasoning (cough @KJ ). I do favor Rams TT's, but the vig right now on TT's is stupid. I do still think the 1H at 10.5 receives a look from myself.
What else do I lean?
Monty over 54.5 yards rushing.
ASB prop.
Over 6 TD's total.
I really do think this game is 31-27/35-31 potentially.
Do I have a fear? Yes. That is these teams come out and feel each other out. The Dallas and Detroit game that never could start getting flow sticks in my head.
I will say, with regards to LaPorta, I expect him to play. He had a brace on at practice Friday. I watched some clips, and he seemed to be cutting fine with the brace. I just hope he can keep them honest. He's so good.
What is going to be fun here? These coaches both love to be aggressive. Do we see a defining moment for either one? Is that moment good or bad?
I really hope that this game lives up to the potential. I hope this crowd will's the Lions to victory. I hope Ben Johnson calls the game of his life. He has that in him.
This is going to be fun. The Lions need to make "winning plays" as Hunt would say. The deficiencies in the secondary can be masked by making a few critical plays.
I will have plays tomorrow; I want to hear a bit more on people's take though.
My prediction, as of 2:20 am is Lions win this one late 34-28.
The Lions came in off a bye after recording a 12-4 regular season and a NFC Central title. This was a rematch of the Week # 9 game, at the same venue, that Detroit won 34-10.
The Lions would win this playoff game before a raucous crowd 38-6 and advance to the NFC Championship game. They came out with a passing attack, as the Cowboys decided that Barry was not going to beat them. Erik Kramer and his receivers moved the ball at will, and Barry broke one late to cap things off.
Times were good. I was in middle school, and I think we all thought this was the start of a run in professional football.
We were wrong. The opponent we had outscored 72-16 in two games in the 1991 season went on to start their own dynasty the year after.
Since that point, the Lions have lost EVERY playoff game they have played in. The fact is, there haven't been many.
We would host a game, the next year in the WC round only to lose on a 46 yard bomb Favre to Sharpe. That was also the last division title. Since then, there has simply been failure in the playoffs, for the few times we've made it.
There was the 1995 WC game at The Vet. That Lions team won 7 straight to end the year. That offense was record-breaking. The Halftime score was 38-7.
Then, there was the 1997 WC game in Tampa. This was the week after Barry crossed 2000 yards. The Lions managed 10 points.
Barry retired and that next decade plus felt like an lifetime.
We would make the playoffs the year Sanders retired, but that was short-lived as we never were in the game at Washington.
The Matt Millen era soon commenced and it wasn't until the Stafford and Calvin alliance took form that the Lions returned to the postseason. You may remember that shootout at the Superdome that was humbling as can be.
The 2014 Lions team was the best of my lifetime since 1991. That defense was so good. Suh was a monster. The offense was really solid too and had playmakers. That of course ends in some controversy in Dallas on the picked up flag in the 2h of a game the Lions were leading and driving at the time.
One last Stafford playoff appearance in 2016, but that Lions team was average at best. The Seahawks smoked them and that was the end of an era.
As we talk now, the Lions have not won a playoff game in 31 years and 9 days. They have had two of the most talented skill position players retire at the top of their game on them. One of the most faithful fanbases has been constantly crushed.
Enter a new era in Lions football.
Today, is certainly FITTING.
The Lions return to the playoffs.
The host their first game EVER at Ford Field.
They host their first game in THIRTY years in the playoffs.
Who do they face? Their BEST QB in modern franchise history.
Matt Fratty Stafford had to leave Detroit to reach the pinnacle.
Two years ago, he divided an entire town during the Ram's run to a championship. You were either ALL IN on 'Detroit Rams' or you absolutely hated the fact he was winning "without us".
Tonight, he is the villain. Our leader just so happens to be the QB who Stafford was traded for.
COULD YOU ASK FOR A BETTER STORY??
NOPE.
Now, why did I give this history of basically 95% of my time as a Lions fan? Well, we can cap this game to death, crunch the numbers and find edges. We've been doing that all week. The one part of this cap I want to look at is tonight's HFA....
I expect you will see one of the most raucous crowds in recent memory. In fact, I expect that the Ford Field crowd will set decibel records tomorrow night. That venue has been a huge HFA advantage the last two seasons and in this WC game, I expect something we have never seen before. This crowd is likely worth an extra 1.5-2.0 points on the line tomorrow night. That is personal opinion, but I think we see it play out that way.
Now, does that mean I think we will win? No. I have said before the match was official and all week, I expect one heckuva game. I see this being a 4th quarter game decided by one possession. I've indicated I like the over, a TT in some fashion and also have some prop leans.
Have a pulled the trigger on totals yet? No, I do lean over. But, those with an under angle I would like to hear your reasoning (cough @KJ ). I do favor Rams TT's, but the vig right now on TT's is stupid. I do still think the 1H at 10.5 receives a look from myself.
What else do I lean?
Monty over 54.5 yards rushing.
ASB prop.
Over 6 TD's total.
I really do think this game is 31-27/35-31 potentially.
Do I have a fear? Yes. That is these teams come out and feel each other out. The Dallas and Detroit game that never could start getting flow sticks in my head.
I will say, with regards to LaPorta, I expect him to play. He had a brace on at practice Friday. I watched some clips, and he seemed to be cutting fine with the brace. I just hope he can keep them honest. He's so good.
What is going to be fun here? These coaches both love to be aggressive. Do we see a defining moment for either one? Is that moment good or bad?
I really hope that this game lives up to the potential. I hope this crowd will's the Lions to victory. I hope Ben Johnson calls the game of his life. He has that in him.
This is going to be fun. The Lions need to make "winning plays" as Hunt would say. The deficiencies in the secondary can be masked by making a few critical plays.
I will have plays tomorrow; I want to hear a bit more on people's take though.
My prediction, as of 2:20 am is Lions win this one late 34-28.
