Detroit Lion football history is riddled with teams in perfect position to secure a wildcard spot, only to blow it by losing in the final two weeks of the season. Just ask Bobby Ross about Christmas Eve, 2000. Paul Edinger’s 54-yard field goal with two seconds remaining in the season knocked the Lions out of playoff contention. As every Lions fan who suffered through is aware, the Wayne Fontes era is also full of “almosts” and “should’ve beens”.

Undoubtedly many pessimists nationwide are expecting the same this year. And to be quite honest, who can blame them? Stigmas exist for a reason, and this team hasn’t done much since the 1950s to prove otherwise. This is a great opportunity for the 2011 Lions, the Jim Schwartz Lions, to prove what we all know to be true.

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