Detroit Lions Week 4 Song of the Game: “Devastated” by Joey Bada$$

“Okay, just gettin’ better each day”

The Detroit Lions sit atop the NFC North once again, tied with the Green Bay Packers with an overall record of 3-1. We’re just four weeks into the season, so narratives can certainly change, but I have this feeling that this year’s team is destined for something greater. This doesn’t feel like your typical Lions team that follows up a playoff appearance with a six-win season.

Week 4, Lions-Vikings Song of the Game: Devastated by Joey Bada$$

Joey Bada$$ is an exceptional rapper and lyricist, but he proved to me over the last year that his range is endless. His acting performance in Season 2 of “Mr. Robot” was shockingly good. If you haven’t been introduced to this show yet, I highly recommend that you give it a look. Season 3 starts October 11th.

The reason behind my choice for this week’s song, “Devastated,” is the exact opposite of what the title suggests.

“I used to feel so devastated...”

As Lions fans, we have all been through the lowest of lows. You don’t even have to look that far back to know the feeling. As I sat there in the Lions’ press box while the offense was driving against the Atlanta Falcons just a week ago, I couldn’t help but feel overwhelming anxiety as the offense propelled their way all the way up to the 1-yard line.

As a credentialed media member, you’re not supposed to let your emotions get the best of you, but admittedly, I am still a fan of this team. When the officials made their final decision to take away a game winning touchdown from Golden Tate and the offense, I couldn’t even move from my seat. Just about every other media member had already left to make their way to the locker room, or the press conference room, but I just sat there with a blank stare on my face. From there, I just went straight home. I could not bring myself to feel the emotions of that locker room.

“...at times I thought we’d never make it...”

2014 was a great year for Lions football. New coaches, talented acquisitions, and a season that ended with 11 wins and a playoff appearance. I had been so hyped up for the following year that I took my wife to training camp with me, and she could sense my excitement. She even bought me tickets to a game for my birthday. By the time we made it to that Thanksgiving game in 2015, the Lions were sitting at 3-7. I couldn’t have possibly been more disappointed relative to my expectations that year.

“...but now we on our way to greatness...”

This year is different.

We’ve got Bob Quinn. We’ve got Matthew Stafford playing the best football of his career with offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter by his side. The defense, which was historically bad last year, has been excellent and extremely opportunistic so far. 11 takeaways in four games compared to 14 all of last year.

Even when the offense sputtered against the Vikings, I had this weird sense of confidence in the defense that I’ve never felt before. To me, the game was never in doubt. I’m all in at this point.

Glover Quin, you’re a goddamn legend.

“...and all it ever took was patience”

Check out the full Song of the Game Playlist for the 2017 season below:

Note: Week 3’s choice of “Sober” by Tool has been replaced by “Popcorn” by Hot Butter because Tool is not currently available on the platform and “Popcorn” is hilarious.