Lions' BPONE Dissipating; Packers' Kneecaps Sore
I can barely remember my first game as a Lions fan. It was at Tiger Stadium. I believe Dick Butkus kicked our ass.
The ass-kickings continued for many years by the Packers and their Hall of Fame quarterbacks. The Purple People Eaters from Minnesota took their turns punishing Lions fans. And the Bears physically beat us up on their way doing the Superbowl Shuffle.
Last night it was the Lions' turn. Our defensive front had their way with the Packers' OL. The Pack didn't get a first down until we jumped offside on 3rd down and gave them one well into the 2nd quarter. We were up 27-3 at the half and they wouldn't have had 3 if we hadn't given them a pick on the first series. It may have happened, but I can't remember an opposing coach, especially within our division, looking as beaten down as the Packers' Matt LaFleur did last night.
This is not the Same Old Lions. We're going to win the NFC North for the first time ever this year. For the first time in my lifetime, I'm cautiously optimistic that it is emotionally safe to be a Lions fan.
Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes deserve a bunch of the credit. Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn as well. Even Shelia Ford Hamp gets some. It looks like this is going to be a great year to be a Michigan / Detroit football fan.
September 29th, 2023 at 3:11 PM ^
Did you really just put this out there? "We're going to win the NFC North for the first time ever this year."
Dammit man, have you ever heard of a jinx? You can't call the division 1/4 through the season.
That said, great game last night and they're certainly on the right track this year. Fun to watch after years of pain.
September 29th, 2023 at 3:24 PM ^
Somehow I doubt a post by "smotheringD" on a Michigan football forum is going to have any bearing on whether the Lions win the division this year or not. I personally wouldn't call it 1/4 through the season, especially after all the pain the Lions have subjected me to over the past few decades, but I have no issue with others being excited about a great season so far.
September 29th, 2023 at 4:36 PM ^
Haven't you heard of the Butterfly Effect?
September 29th, 2023 at 5:00 PM ^
You're forgetting that the football gods lurk 24/7 on MGoBlog. One wrong word can spell doom for decades. I remember a similar post on this site after the Lions' last playoff victory, in 1991. See how that panned out for us?
September 29th, 2023 at 6:29 PM ^
Oh, so you're one of those fans. Now I get all the bad luck for the Lions. It was you and whatever you did/failed to do before/during each game.
September 29th, 2023 at 3:31 PM ^
I hear you but as others have said, the Bears look like a hard 0-3 team. The Vikings are 0-3. Total yards at the half last night were Lions 284, Pack 21. And the Lions are built the right way, from the trenches out. This is sustainable.
They just beat the Super Bowl champs at home and crushed the Packers in Lambeau. MCDC is 11-3 in his last 14 games.
They look good right now.
September 29th, 2023 at 4:00 PM ^
Right. This is at least as much about how bad the North looks right now. Besides the win and the statement it was, "road win over division rival most likely to challenge you" is huge.
September 29th, 2023 at 3:43 PM ^
Agreed. The season is a battle of attrition and anything can happen only 4 games in.
However, there are 4 winless teams in the NFL and the Lions play those teams 6 times. As of today the Lions are sitting pretty good.
EDIT: And it looks like the NFL just re-instated JAMO. Things are definitely coming up Lions.
September 29th, 2023 at 3:45 PM ^
For every game the lions win, I'll eat three lemons. Because you Loins fans better get ready. This is the year the Lions start out spectacular and then drop the ball the last few games. Last game was a fluke. I'm going to be eating lots of limes, losers! Don't break a leg!!!
September 29th, 2023 at 8:54 PM ^
Lemons and limes are not the same thing. Besides, I'm not even sure what you're trying to say...
September 29th, 2023 at 3:16 PM ^
I'm on board the hype train. Jump on or get left behind!
September 29th, 2023 at 4:38 PM ^
Mmmm. Blueberry Kool-Aid. My favorite.
September 29th, 2023 at 8:55 PM ^
Blueberry? You mean to say the flavor names are supposed to mean something? I've always just called them colors. Like Blue Koolaid. Or Red Koolaid.
BTW, the military version of Koolaid is nick'ed 'Bug Juice'. And we usually mixed colors to make new flavors. Also, it was used to clean copper pipes - made those things shine so hard you needed shades to look at them!
September 29th, 2023 at 3:18 PM ^
I was turning on the game just as Green Bay had gotten a 1st and goal on a play that shouldn't have counted and then saw Love run it in untouched to make it 27-17. I was like "oh great just my luck that I get to watch the collapse."
The fact it didn't happen...was odd. Maybe this year is really different.
September 29th, 2023 at 4:11 PM ^
What was the discussion on that one? How did they completely fuck that up? I only got to watch the highlights, but I was like "uhh...the time ran out of the quarter before the snap". I get that delay of game there's some unwritten extra beat rule, but I always thought that once the game clock hits 0:00 that's it, you can't snap it and have the play count.
Why can't football just figure out that 0 means 0.
September 29th, 2023 at 4:22 PM ^
It was acknowledged the play shouldn't have counted, but it's non-reviewable or changeable after the fact.
September 29th, 2023 at 4:40 PM ^
Delay of game should be reviewable because it is so easy to determine.
September 29th, 2023 at 5:31 PM ^
It is idiotic that the NFL doesn't. The NBA takes great care to make sure play outside the actual game time is not counted with replay and backboards that light up. The NHL as well.
They should make it reviewable now before it changes the outcome of an important game.
September 29th, 2023 at 3:20 PM ^
Even Shelia Ford Hamp gets some.
Actually, she deserves a lot. She is the Ford who finally insisted on getting it right. Anybody debating Holmes and Campbell these days? Sheila hired them.
September 29th, 2023 at 3:21 PM ^
Getting Spielman was the biggest move.
September 29th, 2023 at 3:28 PM ^
Agreed. But her Dad, Wee Willie Clay Ford, was an idiot, pure and simple. He and he alone killed the franchise for decades by hiring idiots like Matt Millen. Was such a Ford family zero they wouldnt let him near auto portion of the business. Pathetic owner.
Really hoping they get it right going forward.
September 29th, 2023 at 4:59 PM ^
Easy - Millen was wizard with the draft.
September 29th, 2023 at 8:26 PM ^
Actually it was Bill Jr who had the bright idea to hire Mullen. The old man gave pause and waited a year, but they sucked again so he gave in to his son and hired him.
September 29th, 2023 at 9:01 PM ^
And Jr wanted him gone a couple years later - Sr said no, and kept him. Junior was also smart enough to realize he couldn't run Ford and brought in Mullaly. Jr may not be the shiny apple, but at least he was smart enough to realize he wasn't up to the job.
September 29th, 2023 at 3:34 PM ^
On top of trusting people around her and making great hires - she's also one of the biggest reasons that Barry and Calvin are around so much now too. I believe Calvin has even singled her out more than once in talking about how she's been active in trying to make things right.
Feels like we finally got an owner that cares about making the fans happy vs what the ROI for the year will be of all the previous Fords running the show.
September 29th, 2023 at 6:16 PM ^
Watching the game last night I was thinking Shelia Ford Hamp may be the difference maker. I don't anything about her other than she is the great granddaughter of Henry Ford but she was in charge when the current management assumed the reins. Even the 2023 draft is looking good - the drafted players are contributing. I liked the players but was critical of how early they were picked. It's hard not to like Campbell even if you think he is not the guy.
I remember the 1980 team was 4-0 to start and ended SOL so I am not rushing to judgment but it is always fun to watch Lions fans.
September 29th, 2023 at 4:29 PM ^
Username and avatar fits...
September 29th, 2023 at 3:22 PM ^
I thought Campbell was going to be the insane person we needed to break us out of the Same Ole Lions mentality in order for the next coach to be successful but it's starting to look like he may be the guy to do it himself!
September 29th, 2023 at 3:24 PM ^
This team is fun to watch. They seem to believe (like Michigan started to in 2021). If they can stay reasonably healthy down the stretch could be a dangerous out in the playoffs.
September 29th, 2023 at 4:34 PM ^
It is more than that - they built the team focusing on 1st rd draft picks in the trenches - Ragnow, Decker, Sewell and Hutchinson - to create a team built on substance.
This is a different Lions team, for sure. Keep it rolling, boys!!!
September 29th, 2023 at 6:45 PM ^
Ragnow and Decker were Quinn's best picks.
September 29th, 2023 at 3:33 PM ^
NFL changed its gambling penalties and Jamo was reinstated immediatley.
September 29th, 2023 at 3:34 PM ^
I saw them convert two points for 27-11 and on the verge of making it one score game. I was like here we go again. Then, it didn't happen. And packers made a mistake during the FG attempt. That is like a Lion's play. Dumb ass penalties. We sure are in for a treat this year. I sure hope we stay aggressive when we have the lead and not try to slow down the play to salt away the game.
September 29th, 2023 at 3:47 PM ^
We're going to win the NFC North for the first time ever this year.
SHHHHHH. NOT SO LOUD. HE MIGHT HEAR YOU.
September 29th, 2023 at 4:01 PM ^
SHHHHHH. NOT SO LOUD. HE MIGHT HEAR YOU.
*whispering* - I know, the Detroit Lions-hating god. Cousin to Angry Michigan-hating god.
Rumor has it that, for now, he has been appeased and his disposition is favorable to Detroit and Michigan football fans everywhere. Decades of intense suffering have stayed his wrath and he has turned his attention to the rest of the NFC North. But you're right, best to play it on the down low.
September 29th, 2023 at 3:55 PM ^
A little perspective:
MGoBlog, in a some ways, is a general sports blog and during the fall, is just a great place to discuss football for both college and NFL teams. Like many others on the MGoBoard, it's been Michigan football Monday - Saturday and the Lions/NFL on Sundays or sometimes MNF/TNF. For those who are not Lions fans, they could probably care less about a team that's been really bad for so long.
That said, for the past how ever many years I've been on the board, there has never really been a time like now where casual or incessant fans of the Lions could actually say something nice about the team or just talk about them as with an air of competency. And for the most part there was good reason. But since the regular season finale in GB last year, the SOL schtick is gone, the ownership and GM are making sound decisions, and the coaches are at least likable guys who players would go to war with.
There's no animosity among the players/coaches (Patricia). There's no GM making wildly crazy-ass decisions in the draft or FA (Quinn). And there's no fans that feel the need to constantly talk shit. For once, in my life, they're just a decent-to-good football team who fans and communities can rally around, win or lose. As much as there's going to be a lot of talk about them winning the NFC North this year and winning a playoff game, I'm just happy the negative energy surrounding this team in the one place I enjoy discussing football is no longer apparent. They're going to lose some games and there will be growing pains with a young team but if you're still waiting for the other shoe to drop, I believe this is the year you'll keep on waiting and I hope you do.
There we go. Friday rant over and let's go back to Michigan Football and OT gravy recipes.
September 29th, 2023 at 4:06 PM ^
BPONE is still there.
I'll never forget the 1980 Lions starting 4-0, appropriating "Another One Bites the Dust" here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJ5YdCVLJEo then ending the season 3-7 and missing the playoffs.
Lions to futility are like a rock to gravity.
Is the program on a positive trajectory? Yes. Will they win a second play off game in 60 years? Eagles and 49ers look really tough.
Check back later.
September 29th, 2023 at 5:18 PM ^
Is the program on a positive trajectory? Yes. Will they win a second play off game in 60 years? Eagles and 49ers look really tough.
Eagles and Niners do look good. And the Lions are young, maybe another year or two away if we can keep our coordinators that long.
But with home field, you never know. Should be entertaining to watch.
September 29th, 2023 at 4:09 PM ^
They just reinstated jameson williams early. I do not know what the fuck is happening because I have never felt this -- actual joy -- about my NFL team before. This is amazing
The NFL is reinstating #Lions WR Jameson Williams and #Titans OL Nicholas Petit-Frere effective Monday -- two weeks before their gambling suspensions were set to end, per sources.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 29, 2023
This is part of the newly agreed to policies related to gambling.
September 29th, 2023 at 4:28 PM ^
Lions look legit, and JG is steady as a cool cucumber. Only 4 games in OP!
But, they look the part.
September 29th, 2023 at 4:33 PM ^
I just want the rowdiest ever playoff home game win. That's literally all I want. The Superbowl would be a dream for sure, but the idea that not just getting to the playoffs is totally attainable for us, but winning the division and getting a home game is seemingly likely at this point is just insane to me.
September 29th, 2023 at 4:39 PM ^
Not sure how to handle Lions' success....
September 29th, 2023 at 4:58 PM ^
"The ass-kickings continued for many years by the Packers and their Hall of Fame quarterbacks."
The ass-kickings continued for many decades..... FIFY
Having also seen my first Lions game in Tiger Stadium, BPONE gonna take a few more wins to go away... Though I agree, they seem different, I can also say, I've seen this movie before.
Hope I'm wrong.
Was a beautiful thing to see the Lambeau take-over last night!
September 29th, 2023 at 5:47 PM ^
The Old Lions, Tiger Stadium. The Oklahoma RB of that era for the Lions (long before Billy Sims) was Steve Owens (1969 Heisman Trophy winner). On Thanksgiving 1974, in Tiger Stadium, he tore up his left knee and that pretty much ended his career. He retired in 1976.
September 29th, 2023 at 6:14 PM ^
I'm not aware of Lions fans collectively having BPONE. To the contrary, they seem to be the most eternally unreasonably optimistic fan base in all of sports. Every time the team, which has not won a playoff game since 1957 with the GLORIOUS exception of a mere 31 years ago in 1992, strings together two wins, the base gets Superbowl Certainty. This year is a perfect example. And yet year after year, decade after decade, century after century, MILLENIUM after MILLENIUM, they flop.
One playoff win in the last 66 years. But yep, this is the year they're winning it all.
September 29th, 2023 at 6:35 PM ^
I was in the endzone that Barry scored in after popping out of the scrum at midfield. It was glorious. Stupid Redskins.
September 29th, 2023 at 7:07 PM ^
Dan Campbell has so far been very good at the two top things a head coach should do:
- keep the players motivated and aligned to the game plan each week
- craft plans that let players use their strengths and cover their weaknesses
It's a cliche by now, but players - people, really - respond much better to people who *lead* them, rather than drive them. As long as Campbell can keep the players on-script and playing hard, the Lions won't be the Same Old Lions. They might still pratfall, but they'll be mistakes, not destiny - and hopefully, increasingly uncharacteristic ones at that.
September 29th, 2023 at 7:35 PM ^
I've always been a Lions fan....as a kid, it was pretty strong fandom. SilverRush, Another One Bites The Dust. Billy Sims....but as I got older, and got disappointed over and over, my enthusiasm waned. Living in NY in '91-92 and having to handle the Redskins ass-whupping. It got to the point where I just picked an AFC team to root for, in addition to keeping an eye on the Lions.
So yeah, as strong as my BPONE for Michigan was, my Lions BPONE is orders of magnitude stronger. 3-1 and beating the Pack at Lambeau once again is awesome, but it's going to take more.
I do favor the plan now, though. Build the trenches. Run the ball. Make passing viable with a star at WR (ARSB) and a TE who can actually catch (LaPorta). Play solid defense. Very good for the NFL
Nonetheless, I'll wait a while for the other cleat to drop. I hope it doesn't.
September 29th, 2023 at 7:37 PM ^
I heard their kneecaps are GONE, cuz the Lions bit them all off!!!!!!!