THROWING KNIVES: THE RISE AND FALL OF...

by BD, Staff Writer

My Detroit Lions, whose rise and fall this year can be rivaled by only that of a quality story arc. They hit their apex at 6-2 and have since reeled off six consecutive losses in true Lion fashion. As a lifetime Lions fan, this was expected. It is, after all, the team I've never seen reach the NFC title game, let alone the final Sunday.

Now, I never expected a playoff berth after the 6-2 start when I looked over the schedule, but really guys? REALLY? They've lost four games by more than 30 points to average teams. Yet, even after two of those losses many of my friends seemed to think they were capable of at least a deep playoff run. I'm still trying to figure out when the hell they deserved to be considered a legitimate contender. To do that, I've decided to retrace the step they've taken this season.

-Defeated the Raiders in Oakland. Though they almost gave it away.
-Defeated Minnesota at home in one of the worst football games I've ever watched.
-Lost to the Eagles by 35(!) points. Kitna sacked 9 times.
-Defeated the Bears at home with a weird 34 point 4th quarter.
-Lost to the Redskins by 31 in Washington. Made Jason Campbell look like Brett Favre.
-Defeated a decent Tampa Bay team at home. The Bucs simply didn't want to win this one.
-Defeated Chicago on the road.
-Defeated Denver 44-7 at home. This was tough to dismiss.

I could see, given their success last season, why the Bears win would hype a few people up, but it was about as fluky as any I've ever seen. So I wasn't buying, especially not after the previous game in Philly. Then you have the Tampa Bay win. It was over a division winner and a team that seemed to be clicking heading into the game, but there seems to be something about Ford Field that makes good teams play like absolute shit. I don't understand it, but the proof is in Garcia's play this particular week. The Cowboys can attest to it as well. The second Chicago win only held meaning because it was on the road, but still, the Bears suck. Then you have the blowout of Denver at home. Looking over the Broncos at the time it wasn't very shocking. The Broncos flat-out cannot win away from home. Hell, they couldn't even beat the Carnies inside the tent.

Since defeating Denver the Lions haven't won a game. The losses include games to the rest of the teams (except New Orleans) on the playoff bubble alongside them. Until tonight that is, as tonight if when the Vikings win they'll be eliminated from playoff contention and Matt Millen will once again look like the jerkoff that he is.

Now I understand why people were getting excited. They've sucked forever and it's hard not to grasp for any semblance of quality that emanates from Ford Field. But remember Lions' fans.... Ford still owns this team, and Millen still calls the shots. Until those things change, I'm not sure anyone or anything can get this team above an 8-8 season.