The Detroit Lions are within the NFC title recreation. No, it’s not a dream, it’s actuality they usually’ve obtained people believing. Detroit can flip the web page, starting a new chapter of their historical past. Showing of their first Tremendous Bowl and beating one of many NFL’s most profitable franchises to advance can be an additional feather within the Lions’ cap.
Traditionally, Detroit has been a kind of organizations which have had the phrase “cursed” hooked up to them. Even when drafting all-time nice gamers corresponding to Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson, and even Matthew Stafford, Detroit often discovered a approach to bungle issues. The Lions have performed in a single championship recreation through the Tremendous Bowl period and that was early in Sanders’ profession.
Detroit was victorious in 4 NFL Championship video games, however because the NFL/AFL merged and started the Tremendous Bowl, the Lions have been an afterthought. It was solely a few years in the past that this was nonetheless a three-win crew in head coach Dan Campbell’s first season. This is a company that has had a season the place they didn’t win a recreation. Profitable within the NFL isn’t straightforward, however even the worst groups have lucked right into a win or two.
Now the Lions are on the different finish of the spectrum and among the many last 4 left standing with an opportunity to look within the franchise’s first Tremendous Bowl. From younger to previous, irrespective of the age, Lions followers bear in mind all of the dangerous occasions as a result of there haven’t been lots of good. That’s not meant as a slight, it’s the reality. The Carolina Panthers, who’ve been round solely since 1995, have performed in additional NFC title video games (three) than the Lions, and two Tremendous Bowls.
A really formidable foe
Nevertheless, it gained’t be straightforward touring to the Bay Space to face San Francisco. Whereas all of the optimistic historical past is on the 49ers’ aspect, they’ve had hassle getting over the hump and profitable Tremendous Bowl No. 6. Since 2011, the Niners have performed on six championship Sundays and superior to 2 Tremendous Bowls, shedding each. So, they’ve been extremely profitable, however haven’t skilled the last word success of profitable a Lombardi trophy because the Nineties.
For the Lions, it’s been about firsts. Once you’re a company that hasn’t had a lot success, nearly all the pieces is a primary. The Lions held their first dwelling playoff recreation in a long time on Tremendous Wild Card Weekend, and the primary ever (for the crew) at Ford Area.
When these alternatives come about, you’ve obtained to take benefit of them. Many groups and gamers have had magical seasons and assumed they’d all the time make it again. Take a look at the Eagles making the Tremendous Bowl final yr and falling aside this season and getting bounced within the wild-card spherical. Nothing is assured, so that you’ve obtained to grab the second.
Corridor of Famer Dan Marino led the Dolphins to the Tremendous Bowl in his second season as a professional. Everybody simply assumed due to his expertise that they’d be again after getting waxed by the Niners. Marino and the Dolphins superior to a few extra AFC title video games, however by no means appeared in one other Tremendous Bowl. This momentum can’t be taken without any consideration irrespective of how gifted the crew.
Detroit is the clear underdog towards the 49ers, however none of that issues as soon as they hit the sector. It’s cliché, however you’ve obtained to depart all of it on the sector. As a lot as this squad has improved underneath Campbell, there’s no assure they’ll be within the last 4 once more subsequent season. Everybody was relying on a rematch between SF and Philly not too way back. The Eagles and all their followers shall be watching from dwelling on Sunday, like the remainder of us. The Lions’ future is in entrance of them now and it’s time for them to make historical past.