So that game out in Arizona, yeah, let's just try to forget about it. The Lions played horrible and took away any chance they had of winning themselves. Turnovers, -18 yards rushing, and allowing Arizona to throw the ball with ease were all contributing factors to this disappointing loss. Still, the season is not over. Remember, the Lions are 6-3.
We all know by now that Detroit really did hurt their chances of winning the division and/or making the playoffs with the loss to the Cardinals as games like that have to be won by a team that is contending for something. Even though this loss could be detrimental to playoff hopes in the long run, for now, it is not.
With games against the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers coming back-to-back within five days of each other, the Lions can do a number of things to their playoff chances. If Detroit somehow managed to win both games, then they are right back in the thick of things when it comes to the playoff hunt. On the other hand, a loss in both games could put this team to rest once and for all.
The way I look at it is that Detroit needs to win 1 of 2. Obviously, if the Lions do only win 1 of the next 2 games, then it hopefully will come against Green Bay to make up some ground in the NFC North standings, but a win over New York would help in the Wild Card. I won't completely say that two more losses in the next two games ends Detroit's playoff hopes altogether, but the chances of the Lions fighting back to make the postseason after dropping to 6-5 would be very unlikely. At the same time, two more losses could make getting to .500 a struggle. That is why these next two games will define the season.
Throughout the season, people have been questioning whether or not the Lions are real. I, myself, have been doing the same thing and still am unsure of whether or not this team is a fraud. After the loss to Arizona, most people are characterizing this team as the "same ol' Lions." I don't really believe that is the case, but Detroit can prove that in the next two weeks. A win over the Giants and/or the Packers would be huge for not only this team's playoff chances, but the overall perception that surrounds the Lions. If I was a player, I know I would be sick of hearing about how this is just the same ol' Lions when a 6-3 record has been achieved so far in the season. With that, a win or wins against NY and GB could change the way everybody views the Detroit Lions, in a good or bad way.
When it comes down to it, I do want to believe. My heart is telling me that Detroit will rebound from the loss out west and will come out on Sunday ready for another victory. On top of that, I want to believe that on Thanksgiving, we all will be saying thanks to a great Lions victory. I want to believe that this team is destined to pull off the unthinkable by making a run at the playoffs. Trust me, I want to believe all of those things. Right now, though, I just can't. These next two games will define the season for the Lions. Will we all be believers come Thanksgiving dinner, or will the discussion be about how this team really is the same ol' Lions?
You can think whatever you want right now, but for me personally, I still need to see something from this team. People always talk about a team's signature win, where a season can be changed in one instance. So far, I don't think we've seen that signature win from Detroit. That should be expected as the homestretch of the season is just coming up now, but for the Lions, that signature win can be obtained on Sunday. If it isn't, then Detroit will have another chance on Thanksgiving. As I said, that signature win better happen for one of these two games, otherwise, we may be talking more disappointment. For now, though, let's just hope that this team is different than the ones of year's past and can come away with a victory on Sunday.