Scanning the Savanna

As I watched the final quarter of last night’s Bears-Lions game, one name kept popping in my head: Billy Sims.

Clearly, these Detroit Lions — who thrashed Chicago, 24-13 — aren’t your father’s Lions. Or your grandfather’s Lions. Or your great-grandfather’s Lions. They are (gasp!) good. Strong. Powerful. Young. Confident. Joyful.

As general manager of the Detroit Lions, Martin Mayhew heads the NFL’s most resurgent team. Following their victory against Chicago on Monday Night Football, the Lions are 5-0 for the first since 1956. Just two seasons removed from an NFL-record winless campaign (0-16), the Lions have won nine consecutive games dating to last year.

Early ratings for Monday Night Football’s Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears are in.

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In Chicago, the game delivered a 18.7 household rating on ESPN, and a 13.3 household for WCIU, for a combined 32.0 rating in the market.