Every Season.

[László]

Every year the Detroit Lions start the season showing promise, and then collapse. By 1982, after many years of being a fan, I said I Won't Get Fooled Again.

Of course, every year I get fooled, again.

Last year was an extra-special one, if you're into mainlining disappointment. Because they were good, and then had a terrible second half against the Niners in the conference championship game, thereby proving that the Curse of Bobby Layne (1958) still has power.

Their last championship was 1957. Believe it or not, I was at that game as a little kid, with my Dad, cousin and Uncle. That was my last hurrah; but I was too young to know what was really happening, and cared about more than the hot dog and souvenir pennant that hung in my bedroom throughout my childhood.

I should point out that I hung the pennant, not the hot dog. I ate the hot dog.

My cousin showed more interest in the game until he found a condom under his seat and thought it was a balloon. My uncle saved the day by yelling, 'Put that thing down!' before my cousin had time to blow it up into a balloon.

Only in Detroit do you find a condom under the seat in a stadium. But I digress.

This year, the Detroit Lions are 10-1. They've had 9 wins in a row. I'm probably blowing the whole streak of good luck by simply posting this. Or maybe I can depend on the Curse to be blamed, instead of taking the blame on myself.

 

[Senor Verde]

I'm happy for the Lions, but only so far because they are in the same division as my Vikings, who are waaay overdue for a championship themselves and have continued to disappoint. Probably not as much as the Lions over the past few decades.

 

[László]

I'm happy for the Lions, but only so far because they are in the same division as my Vikings, who are waaay overdue for a championship themselves and have continued to disappoint. Probably not as much as the Lions over the past few decades.

The Vikes have been to the Super Bowl 4 times.

The Lions haven't gotten beyond the NFC championship, and that they only got to twice - ever (I'm not counting the championships in the 1950s) - and they lost both times. So you're just going to have to wait your turn!

Plus the Vikes now have one of my two favorite Michigan quarterbacks of all time, JJ McCarthy (the other was Tom Brady). I will root for him to have a great game in every single game, including against the Lions. That kid is a champion and a difference maker!

I'm looking forward to watching him in the NFL. It's a darn shame he got hurt. It will be a crap-ton of fun to watch him and Goff play in the same game.

 

[andy474x]

Every year the Detroit Lions start the season showing promise, and then collapse. By 1982, after many years of being a fan, I said I Won't Get Fooled Again.

Of course, every year I get fooled, again.

Last year was an extra-special one, if you're into mainlining disappointment. Because they were good, and then had a terrible second half against the Niners in the conference championship game, thereby proving that the Curse of Bobby Layne (1958) still has power.

Their last championship was 1957. Believe it or not, I was at that game as a little kid, with my Dad, cousin and Uncle. That was my last hurrah; but I was too young to know what was really happening, and cared about more than the hot dog and souvenir pennant that hung in my bedroom throughout my childhood.

I should point out that I hung the pennant, not the hot dog. I ate the hot dog.

My cousin showed more interest in the game until he found a condom under his seat and thought it was a balloon. My uncle saved the day by yelling, 'Put that thing down!' before my cousin had time to blow it up into a balloon.

Only in Detroit do you find a condom under the seat in a stadium. But I digress.

This year, the Detroit Lions are 10-1. They've had 9 wins in a row. I'm probably blowing the whole steak of good luck by simply posting this. Or maybe I can depend on the Curse to be blamed, instead of taking the blame on myself.

As my dad said re: the NFC championship game: by the second half, it was their game to lose.

And lose it they did!

They would’ve won that game if they had made more conservative fourth down decisions instead of going trying to convert all the time. The whole “going for it” on fourth down schtick holds water in the regular season, when statistically over the whole season it can play in your favor, but everything about that second half for the Lions screamed “punt or kick field goals.”

Oh, and just try to not suck.

 

[vchizzle]

The Lions are the best team in the NFL. Enjoy the ride. It’s a better place to be than hoping you can squeak into the playoffs. Trust me. From someone who knows having 2 HOF QB’s for 3 decades and only winning 2. I know that doesn’t mean much coming from a perennial kings of the north fan, but enjoy the time when your team is good. In retrospect, having a really solid chance because your team looks the part is way better than hoping your team can put a complete game together to pull off an upset. On the flip side, last year being a Packers fan was actually fun because there were no expectations. So the being good and having expectations comes with a burden as well. I get the trepidation. I’ll just lurk in the corner and hope we can get our sh!t together.

 

[Abe]

Barry Sanders ftw. No BS.

 

[TonyT]

My son and his family, including my twin grandsons, live in Plymouth, MI and have turned in to huge Lions fans after moving there eight years ago. I love the character of the team and the coach … they have a shot at making the Super Bowl for sure. They are young so could see them contend the next few years.

 

[László]

My son and his family, including my twin grandsons, live in Plymouth, MI and have turned in to huge Lions fans after moving there eight years ago. I love the character of the team and the coach … they have a shot at making the Super Bowl for sure. They are young so could see them contend the next few years.

By coincidence, my wife taught 4th grade in Plymouth-Canton schools until our daughter was born. It was a long time ago, though, so your family wouldn't know her. And my father (who died many years ago) developed a subdivision there.

So while I don't live there, I know the area pretty well!

It's a nice community. I hope your son and his family enjoy living there.

 

[TonyT]

By coincidence, my wife taught 4th grade in Plymouth-Canton schools until our daughter was born. It was a long time ago, though, so your family wouldn't know her. And my father (who died many years ago) developed a subdivision there.

So while I don't live there, I know the area pretty well!

It's a nice community. I hope your son and his family enjoy living there.

They love it there. Downtown Plymouth and Downtown Northville are both very nice. They live just a few blocks off Ann Arbor Road on the west side of Plymouth. Michigan is a great state … we spend a week or two every summer on the “west coast” along the lake.

 

[nussbajh]

I’m from CLE. Trust me, it could be worse.

 

[bodia]

The Lions are the best team in the NFL. Enjoy the ride. It’s a better place to be than hoping you can squeak into the playoffs. Trust me. From someone who knows having 2 HOF QB’s for 3 decades and only winning 2. I know that doesn’t mean much coming from a perennial kings of the north fan, but enjoy the time when your team is good. In retrospect, having a really solid chance because your team looks the part is way better than hoping your team can put a complete game together to pull off an upset. On the flip side, last year being a Packers fan was actually fun because there were no expectations. So the being good and having expectations comes with a burden as well. I get the trepidation. I’ll just lurk in the corner and hope we can get our sh!t together.

Packers are the real deal. Young, and good with a top 5 coach.

 

[László]

They love it there. Downtown Plymouth and Downtown Northville are both very nice. They live just a few blocks off Ann Arbor Road on the west side of Plymouth. Michigan is a great state … we spend a week or two every summer on the “west coast” along the lake.

Sweet!

Have you been to Harbor Springs, Traverse City and Charlevoix? They're wonderful places to hang in the summer right on Lake Michigan in the northern part of the lower peninsula. Among my favorite places in the world, actually, and within a few minutes' drive of each other.

 

[László]

I’m from CLE. Trust me, it could be worse.

At least the Lions are back to being very good. I hope for the same for the Browns.

I like Cleveland. I did a ton of ad campaigns for agencies based there. The people were great to work with; there's a friendly Midwestern vibe that reminds me of Detroit.

I did music for ads for the Cleveland Indians (now the Guardians), the State of Ohio, a bunch of tire companies based in Ohio, etc. Fun times!

 

[TonyT]

Sweet!

Have you been to Harbor Springs, Traverse City and Charlevoix? They're wonderful places to hang in the summer right on Lake Michigan in the northern part of the lower peninsula. Among my favorite places in the world, actually, and within a few minutes' drive of each other.

Yes, we have stayed in Traverse City several times, Holland, Frankfort, Interlochen and Petoskey as well. All great places. We will have to check out Harbor Springs and Charlevoix … also Mackinac for a couple nights is on the “to do” list … but you could by a nice guitar for the price of two nights at the Grand Hotel.

 

[László]

Yes, we have stayed in Traverse City several times, Holland, Frankfort, Interlochen and Petoskey as well. All great places. We will have to check out Harbor Springs and Charlevoix … also Mackinac for a couple nights is on the “to do” list … but you could by a nice guitar for the price of two nights at the Grand Hotel.

Yeah, the Grand Hotel isn't cheap, I've stayed there several times. Thing is, it isn't even that great a hotel, it's very old and kind of creaky.

Though I do get that it's an historic hotel, not entirely worth it unless you're into staying right on the island. Harbor Springs is right near Petoskey, and Charlevoix is 16 miles down the road, bordering on both Lake Charlevoix and Lake Michigan. Super-nice places all.

There's a really good restaurant near there is well, but I'm drawing a blank on the name.

 

[vchizzle]

At least you got the T-Day win. I thought you’d be headed to OT for sure. The ineptitude of the Bears in the last 30 seconds…you just can’t make this stuff up. How in the world did they not have a strict plan to call the TO and kick the FG to tie?!? Crazy. A win is a win. Nobody remembers the ugly ones at the end of the season anyway.

 

[bodia]

At least you got the T-Day win. I thought you’d be headed to OT for sure. The ineptitude of the Bears in the last 30 seconds…you just can’t make this stuff up. How in the world did they not have a strict plan to call the TO and kick the FG to tie?!? Crazy. A win is a win. Nobody remembers the ugly ones at the end of the season anyway.

As a Steelers fan living in Chicagoland, with a Packer wife, I take joy with Bears ineptitude. This season has been fun.

 

[László]

At least you got the T-Day win. I thought you’d be headed to OT for sure. The ineptitude of the Bears in the last 30 seconds…you just can’t make this stuff up. How in the world did they not have a strict plan to call the TO and kick the FG to tie?!? Crazy. A win is a win. Nobody remembers the ugly ones at the end of the season anyway.

Playing on only three days' rest before game day makes for some pretty funky football.

 

[Greywolf]

They walked right through the bears....

 

[Prina]

Gut check time coming for the NFC North with the Lions, Packers & Viks probably heading to the playoffs.

Everyone plays everyone else in the division in the remaining few games although the Lions have to play the Bills, fortunately in Detroit, for a possible Super Bowl preview on Dec 15.