Game 272

The Whole Enchilada

Here we are, staring down the barrel of the gun. On the eve of the penultimate game of the year which has now been rendered meaningless. All roads lead to Game 272 of the NFL Season. A Sunday night matchup in Detroit between the Lions and the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings have been there at every turn this season leading the division until the Lions went into Minnesota and won on a Jake Bates field goal 30-27. The ghosts of seasons past are following me from now until the final game. The 13-2 Detroit Lions will need to win 14 or 15 games in order to win their division. This has been the best regular season in Lions history. The Lions in their history have never had the number one seed. Never won 13 games before in a season, never won 10 consecutive games in a season before. All of this comes in a year where the one team standing in their way is a team who has defeated everyone except the Lions and the Rams, who they played 4 days after playing the Lions. All season we have been waiting for the samderella story to end but he is here to stay. I can't help but remember the past Detroit Lions seasons that have ended under similar circumstances. 2014 where the Lions faced the Packers to decide the 2-seed and the 5 seed. 2016 with the same matchup to decide the 3 seed and the 6 seed. Both of those games the Detroit Lions lost, they laid an egg and lost their wild card game as well. Those ghosts as well as all the other ghosts from seasons past follow me as well.

The Lions travel to San Francisco to face the 49ers who have already been eliminated from the playoffs. They are a wounded duck playing for nothing but pride. Sometimes that is all the motivation you need. For what it is worth, if the Lions win against the 49ers they can still win their division and clinch the number 1 seed with a tie next week. Obviously that is not something anyone wants to talk about, but never close a door because you are concerned about the window. Truthfully, I expect the Detroit Lions to be fueled by revenge tomorrow. Revenge for the NFC Championship Game last year. A game that I have not watched since the day of the game. I fully expect the tricks to be on display, and the players to play for revenge. Dan Campbell is a sicko like that. The 49ers will be down significant firepower on the offensive side of the ball and hopefully the lions can generate a pass rush. Losing tomorrow will hurt but the Vikings winning today hurt more than any other games have felt this year.

When comparing the Lions and the Vikings seasons they have played very similar competition. The Minnesota Vikings are 9-1 in one score games this year. They did something similar in 2022, this is not a sustainable way to win games, and yet they continue to pull it out. A gross win versus the Jaguars 12-7, overtime win versus the Bears 30-27, converting a key third down today against the Packers to win 27-25. Stopping the Arizona CArdinals late drive to win 23-22. And completing a game winning drive versus the Seattle Seahawks last week to win 27-24. Their season has teetered on a knife's edge all year long. Whenever they needed a big play they have gotten it. Dialing up the blitzes when needed to fluster opposing quarterbacks. They are a very good team and can have their season ended if the luck swings against them at some point this season.

The 2024 Detroit Lions however have not played with their food all year long. They have had three games where they won by 30+ points, and have looked unstoppable in those games. In comparison they are 6-2 in one score games. Those wins include an overtime touchdown, three game winning kicks, the situation that got Matt Eberflus fired and surviving the Arizona Cardinals. Their two losses are the two worst games I have seen from the Lions this season on each side of the ball. The Bucs game week 2 timing and routes were off and Goff threw multiple picks, they ultimately ran out of time and came up short in their efforts in week 2. The other loss I wrote extensively about to the Buffalo Bills where the defense could not stop a nosebleed.

Both of these teams are good teams, the Lions have already defeated the Minnesota Vikings in Minnesota, doing this while overcoming a second half deficit. The Lions defense has not looked the same since playing the Indianapolis Colts. The way they win games is through their offense outscoring the opponents offense. Their three 30 point blowouts have come against two AFC South teams who will be picking in the top 8, and the Dallas Cowboys who will also miss the playoffs. Against Playoff teams the Lions are 6-2. They are a hard team to read, they would be a BCS era darling. winning with style points. But this isn’t college football, this is the NFL everything plays itself out. Eyetest says both of these teams are good teams. It's a real shame that the winner of game 272 will have a bye and the road to the super bowl goes through them, and the loser will travel on the road for the playoffs.

I have run through the scenarios, Lions get the 5 seed, play the Bucs/ Falcons then the Eagles then probably the Vikings again. or if they get the 1 seed, get the bye then play the Packers/Vikings again and play the other NFCN team or the Eagles in the NFCCG. I think the Lions would surely be favored against the NFC South winner. My psyche can't handle losing a playoff game to an NFC North opponent, let alone to GO to the Super Bowl. That is why Game 272 is on my mind right now. Everything is on the table. If the Lions get the first seed, the bye will be critical to getting players back from injured reserve. Alex Anzalone, Carlton Davis, Kalif Raymond come to mind, and the allure of Aidan Hutchinson in the Super Bowl as a prize waiting at the end of the tunnel. Home playoff games will be crucial as well. But before Monday nights game the Lions are undefeated on the road. They have played in the elements. the worst weather they could play in is a Blizzard in philly, or a rainstorm in Florida. Every other team is a Dome or they would host. I know two things about the Detroit Lions. They will be undaunted from the task of going on the road. Their leader will not let them lose focus of the goal. And their fans who have been dying for this opportunity and moment will be packing Ford Field to cheer on a playoff run. Everything, all the highs, the lows the tears of agony and joy all come down to game 272.