The Detroit Lions are in the NFC title recreation. No, it’s not a dream, it’s actuality and so they’ve acquired of us believing. Detroit can flip the web page, starting a new chapter of their historical past. Appearing of their first Super Bowl and beating one in every of the NFL’s most profitable franchises to advance would be an additional feather in the Lions’ cap.
Historically, Detroit has been a type of organizations which have had the phrase “cursed” connected to them. Even when drafting all-time nice gamers comparable to Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson, and even Matthew Stafford, Detroit normally discovered a solution to bungle issues. The Lions have performed in a single championship recreation throughout the Super Bowl period and that was early in Sanders’ profession.
Detroit was victorious in 4 NFL Championship video games, however since the NFL/AFL merged and commenced the Super Bowl, the Lions have been an afterthought. It was solely a few years in the past that this was nonetheless a three-win crew in head coach Dan Campbell’s first season. This is a company that has had a season the place they didn’t win a recreation. Winning in the NFL isn’t simple, however even the worst groups have lucked right into a win or two.
Now the Lions are at the different finish of the spectrum and amongst the remaining 4 left standing with an opportunity to look in the franchise’s first Super Bowl. From younger to outdated, regardless of the age, Lions followers bear in mind all the unhealthy occasions as a result of there haven’t been loads of good. That’s not meant as a slight, it’s the reality. The Carolina Panthers, who’ve been round solely since 1995, have performed in additional NFC title video games (three) than the Lions, and two Super Bowls.
A really formidable foe
However, it received’t be simple touring to the Bay Area to face San Francisco. While all the optimistic historical past is on the 49ers’ facet, they’ve had hassle getting over the hump and successful Super Bowl No. 6. Since 2011, the Niners have performed on six championship Sundays and superior to 2 Super Bowls, shedding each. So, they’ve been extremely profitable, however haven’t skilled the final success of successful a Lombardi trophy since the Nineteen Nineties.
For the Lions, it’s been about firsts. When you’re a company that hasn’t had a lot success, nearly every part is a primary. The Lions held their first house playoff recreation in a long time on Super Wild Card Weekend, and the first ever (for the crew) at Ford Field.
When these alternatives come about, you’ve acquired to take benefit of them. Many groups and gamers have had magical seasons and assumed they’d at all times make it again. Look at the Eagles making the Super Bowl final yr and falling aside this season and getting bounced in the wild-card spherical. Nothing is assured, so that you’ve acquired to grab the second.
Hall of Famer Dan Marino led the Dolphins to the Super Bowl in his second season as a professional. Everyone simply assumed due to his expertise that they’d be again after getting waxed by the Niners. Marino and the Dolphins superior to some extra AFC title video games, however by no means appeared in one other Super Bowl. This momentum can’t be taken with no consideration regardless of how gifted the crew.
Detroit is the clear underdog against the 49ers, however none of that issues as soon as they hit the discipline. It’s cliché, however you’ve acquired to depart all of it on the discipline. As a lot as this squad has improved underneath Campbell, there’s no assure they’ll be in the remaining 4 once more subsequent season. Everyone was relying on a rematch between SF and Philly not too way back. The Eagles and all their followers will be watching from house on Sunday, like the remainder of us. The Lions’ future is in entrance of them now and it’s time for them to make historical past.
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