Lions Notes: 2011 Was The Year Of The Offense

by Sean Yuille on Jan 3, 2012 6:00 AM EST in Detroit Lions Notes

The Lions set a franchise record for points in a season in 2011.
According to Michael Signora, the Lions/Packers contest was the first time in NFL history that two quarterbacks in the same game threw for at least 400 yards and five or more touchdowns. Unsurprisingly, the Lions and Packers also set a record for the most combined passing yards in one game.
Here's an amazing stat from Trey Wingo: Prior to 2011, there had been only two players to reach at least 5,000 passing yards in one season -- Drew Brees and Dan Marino. This season alone, three players threw for more than 5,000 yards -- Brees, Tom Brady and Matthew Stafford.
Given how much offense there was in 2011, it should come as no surprise that the record for the most points scored in one season was broken.
The Saints are favored by around 10 points for Saturday's game against the Lions. The total for the game is around 58, which is apparently one of the highest over/unders ever for a playoff game.
Oddsmakers aren't giving the Lions much of a chance to win the Super Bowl or even the NFC. According to Paula Pasche, the Lions are 30/1 to win the NFC title game and 60/1 to win the Super Bowl.

The Lions' move to pick up running back Joique Bell from the Saints practice squad last week could come in handy with Detroit set to play New Orleans. I hope he took a lot of notes on his playbook before he left for the Lions.
As part of their tampering punishment, the Lions will lose their sixth-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft since they made the playoffs.
Another draft note: Currently the Lions are slated to pick 26th in the first round based on record and tiebreakers. Where they ultimately end up in the first round will depend on when they exit the playoffs, but it turns out they can pick no earlier than 23rd since the Texans and Falcons had weaker schedules. As a result, no scenarios exist where the Lions can have the earliest pick among playoff teams. Of course, the hope is obviously that they will pick 32nd, as that would mean they are the Super Bowl champions.
SBNation.com has gifs of Jim Schwartz's reactions to all of the blown calls on Sunday at Green Bay.
Kevin Smith's helmet was actually cracked from the hit he received on his touchdown catch against the Packers.
According to a report, Calvin Johnson met incentives for the season on Sunday to trigger a $4.5 million contract bonus.
The bonuses teams will receive this year for the playoffs are out. Each player on a team that didn't win its division but made the playoffs will receive $19,000. Players on teams that did win their division and are playing in the wild-card round will get $21,000. That is the minimum for teams that make it to the divisional round but don't go any further. Players will receive $38,000 for making it to a conference championship game, and they can earn $83,000 for winning the Super Bowl or $42,000 for making it to the Super Bowl and losing. (Via Robert Raiola)
Congrats to Jettero2112 for winning the Pride of Detroit NFL pick'em group. He finished with a 177-79 record and edged Kona Gold and Gym Schwartz in the win column by one game.

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Comments

Great Year from us and even though i would love for us to make it to the superbowl

I just want us to beat the Saints. We can do it and believe it or not i would rather have to play the saints right now than the Giants IMHO. On an unrelated note, a lot of news coming yesterday with coaches leaving and wanting to know POD reaction to Spags. Little chance he comes here but it would be enticing to replace Gunny

by Liontotheextreme on Jan 3, 2012 8:24 AM EST reply actions

60-1!?! Sounds like a great opportunity to make some cash

turn my 200 into 12,000 real quick!

by JasonsLoveTigers on Jan 3, 2012 9:02 AM EST reply actions

Seriously

Where can I place a $100 bet to make $6,000 for rooting for Stafford to Calvin?

"Detroit doesn't pat itself on the back, it gets the job done."-Barry Sanders

"All I can say is, that boy ballin’," said wide receiver Calvin Johnson on Matt Stafford

by Enforcer on Jan 3, 2012 11:59 AM EST up reply actions

I felt like the player who cracked Smith's helmet

was standing over and taunting Smith afterward even as Smith obviously couldn’t get up right away from the hit. I think that is what CJ was mostly mad about.

And who taunts a player that just scored on you?

by smbarbac on Jan 3, 2012 9:36 AM EST reply actions

Same guy who got burned multiple times by CJ

That’s why Mega was pissed. He’s talking shit but getting burned constantly? Ok.

President of the Eric Wright fan club, but I love me some Aaron Berry.

Obligatory statement about being a huge Lions fan.

I have a twitter: Follow Me

by Bighaircut on Jan 3, 2012 9:37 AM EST up reply actions

Even better

How in the hell is that not an unsportsmanlike penalty?

"My Mama once told me don't argue with fools, cause people from a distance can't tell who is who" - Jay Z

by Spider1 on Jan 3, 2012 11:03 AM EST up reply actions

'Cause its Green Bay

"Common Sense, isn't" Solomon Short

by YpsilantiJeff on Jan 3, 2012 12:31 PM EST up reply actions

Yep

Those d-bags always get away with crap.

by akadwriter on Jan 3, 2012 12:43 PM EST up reply actions

Maybe we should start the 'Cheatin Cheese Haters, Lions Club'

We could be charter members and put it in our sigs.

Im just about as sick and tired of those smug bastards as Ive ever been in 40 years of watching the NFL

"Common Sense, isn't" Solomon Short

by YpsilantiJeff on Jan 3, 2012 12:52 PM EST up reply actions

Everyone here knows if that was us....

The media would have an absolute field day to blast us if Suh or Vanden Bosch stood over someone on the Packers. They would be crucified from every news outlet around.

It is amazing how much the Lions are held to a different standard than the Pack. On a side note I can’t stand Mike McCarthy and how arrogant he is, like the Packers never deserve a penalty.

by RedeemedLions on Jan 3, 2012 1:16 PM EST up reply actions

LOL, that guy wanted no part of Calvin Johnson

I couldn't think of a better signature.

by atvman on Jan 3, 2012 11:03 AM EST up reply actions

I have never seen Mega that pissed before.

http://twitter.com/#!/rumbulls

by CLF on Jan 3, 2012 11:09 AM EST up reply actions

Johnson has about six inches and 50 pounds on him

I’m impressed he had the courage to go on as long as he did.

by mcivor on Jan 3, 2012 3:59 PM EST up reply actions

thats exactly what i said!

Who gets scored on and then talks shit? That guys a clown. I loved CJ’s reaction to it, it appears him and K smooth are good friends if you see all the pics from the raiders game, and that ep CJ was mic’d up. I’m sure that played a part.

by 989Till'Die on Jan 3, 2012 11:32 AM EST via mobile reply actions

Hey, finally won something here

Pick’em was a good game, tough opponents. Wish I could say the same for the POD main league. I continually get my ass handed to me year after year.

"A child of five would understand this. Send someone to fetch a child of five." ~Groucho Marx

by Jettero2112 on Jan 3, 2012 12:00 PM EST reply actions

$$$$$

So 60/1 odds… For $20 I could make $1200? Wow!

by hostage42 on Jan 3, 2012 1:52 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Tramon Williams is dirtier than Suh

The way he stood Pettigrew up while his legs were trapped and then proceeded to drive through was soooo after the whistle and completely dirty.

It’s such bullshit that stuff like that is totally not looked at for even a second.

The boys are back in town!

Follow @ryan_ames

by rames on Jan 3, 2012 2:52 PM EST reply actions

you win a SB and you receive a "get out of jail free card"

especially when playing the “dirty Lions”

Follow @nuftjedi

by nuftjedi on Jan 3, 2012 3:04 PM EST up reply actions

no two ways about it

In today’s game, that was a penalty. Just more evidence of a Pack bias and Lion prejudice.

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"You can get a win with undisciplined jack asses, you create a winning team with discipline and poise." by Leonuro
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GROW THE F UP
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by joshsun on Jan 3, 2012 3:06 PM EST up reply actions