Yes, you read the title correctly, the Detroit Lions will make the 2008 NFL playoffs. Yes they looked terrible against the Atlanta Falcons, and didn't look like Super Bowl Champions against the Green Bay Packers either, but don't count them out yet. Here are 10 reasons why the Detroit Lions will make the 2008 NFL playoffs:
1. No team has ever went 4-0 in the preseason and missed the playoffs.
Yes they are still the Detroit Lions and if any team could pull it off it would be them, but we'll go with history on this one.
2. Receiving Core
Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams are the superstars of the Lions but not the only solid receivers on the team. Shaun McDonald and Mike Furrey are both viable options and threats whenever on the field. The Lions tote one of the best receiving groups in the NFC.
3. Kevin Smith/Rudi Johnson
Both Kevin Smith and Rudi Johnson are first year Lions and beginning to learn the new system. For Johnson, he has had only weeks to learn a new system. As the season progresses watch for Rudi to get more carries and for Kevin Smith to find a rhythm.
4. Matt Millen
Matt Millen, am I going insane? Well probably, but only a GM as stubborn as Millen could believe in the Lions success after how many bad years he has had with the team. Would any of us stay in a job that we constantly were the worst at every single year? Well if the money was right I would, but would not have the confidence that Millen has. After the torture he has endured, Millen is still confident that the Lions will turn it around, and that has to be worth something! Right?
5. Marinelli Core
Marinelli is getting his team together. Getting rid of players like Shaun Rogers, Kevin Jones, Charles Rogers, and Mike Willams has all been part of Marinelli's big picture plan to help the Lions succeed. Marinelli is getting "system"
guys similar to what he had going on defense in Tampa Bay. The core of the team has the mentality that Marinelli wants, but he hasn't seen the results quite yet. Look for his hard work to pay off this year.
6. Kitna- best QB in the division
Who would you pick; Aaron Rodgers, Jon Kitna, Tavaris Jackson, or Kyle Orton? That's right, it's Jon Kitna. Aaron Rodgers has looked amazing over a 2 game span, but for now the best QB in the NFC North is Detroit Lions QB Kitna.
7. Bobby Layne Curse is Almost Over!
Layne is known as the man who brought the curse over the Detroit Lions. After being traded in 1958 Bobby Layne said that Detroit "Would not win for 50 years"
. Well Bobby you were right. The website Curseofbobbylayne.com shows that the curse will be over in just 3 weeks, enough time for the Lions to rebound in the second half of the NFL season and make the playoffs.
8. Uncertain NFC North
The Minnesota Vikings are 0-2, the Chicago Bears looked good against Indy but failed to hold on against Carolina, and Green Bay has defeated two less then solid football teams (Detroit, and Minnesota). The NFC North is open for the taking. The Green Bay Packers look like the front runner, but uncertainty still is present and may trip them up down the stretch. The NFC North is a very young division and no dominant team is present.
9. Schedule
The Detroit Lions do not have a tough schedule outside of the NFC North. There are not many un-winable games in the Lions future. The Lions have upcomming games against the 49ers, Texans, Redskins, Bucs, Titans, and Vikings. All of the games minus Indy and at Green Bay are potential wins. It's not always how good the team is, but how bad the schedule is. Here is the remaining schedule for the Detroit Lions.
Sun 9/21 at San Francisco 4:05 pm bye Sun 10/5 Chicago 1:00 pm Sun 10/12 at Minnesota 1:00 pm Sun 10/19 at Houston 4:05 pm Sun 10/26 Washington 1:00 pm Sun 11/2 at Chicago 1:00 pm Sun 11/9 Jacksonville 1:00 pm Sun 11/16 at Carolina 1:00 pm Sun 11/23 Tampa Bay 1:00 pm Thu 11/27 Tennessee 12:30 pm Sun 12/7 Minnesota 1:00 pm Sun 12/14 at Indianapolis 1:00 pm Sun 12/21 New Orleans 1:00 pm Sun 12/28 at Green Bay 1:00 pm
10. Not the "Same Ole Lions"
When have the "Same ole Lions"
come back from a 21-0 lead? Probably never. In week 2 against the Green Bay Packers, the Lions managed to erase a 21-0 deficit to take the lead at 25-24. Yes the Lions fell apart after that but the comeback was promising enough. These are not the same ole Lions, and only time will prove that.
Are you convinced that the Lions are a playoff team yet? Probably not and I don't blame you, but don't count them out yet. The Lions will somehow make the 2008 NFL playoffs.
