Who are these Detroit Lions?

Judging by the performances the Eagles had coming into the Thanksgiving game, I picked the Detroit Lions to win the game by what I thought would be a close margin. Nobody could have expected what the Lions ultimately did on Thursday.

The Detroit Lions frankly played one of the better games that they’ve played this decade. After a poor opening drive, the Lions came out swinging from there and for once in 2015, they looked like the team that many pundits thought they would be in the offseason.

Matthew Stafford was on in just about every way possible. Throwing for 337 yards and more importantly, five touchdowns. A feat Stafford had not accomplished since his breakout season in 2011. Calvin Johnson looked like Megatron of old with three touchdowns. The ground game got going in a big way with contributions from Riddick, Abdullah and Bell. The defense made Mark Sanchez hope that he never has to play another thanksgiving game again.

You have to wonder what happens next for this Lions team. Just three weeks ago the season was in peril and terminations were happening left and right. Now the Lions are in the playoff discussion. Granted a lot has to happen for the Lions and to other teas in order for Detroit to sneak their way in, they actually have a small chance at this point.

Moving forward the Lions host the Green Bay Packers next Thursday in what will be the final winning team on their record as it stands now. The Packers have struggled as of late and as I write this, they are down 17-13 to the Bears. If the Lions can find a way to do the unthinkable and sweep the Packers, they find themselves facing two back up quarterbacks, the 32nd ranked Saints defense and a Bears team that hasn’t beat them since 2012.

Nov 26, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) scores a touchdown while being pressured by Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Eric Rowe (32) during the second quarter of a NFL game on Thanksgiving at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

I strongly urge Detroit Lions fans to temper their expectations going into the final leg of the  2015 season. The Lions look unstoppable at the moment. But as we all know, the Lions have looked this way before and faltered greatly in the past.  The chance is there for the Lions to run the table. But history is strongly against the Lions in this case.

I spent days trying to find a team that started 1-7 and made the playoffs and I could not find anything. For now all Lions fans can do is sit back and enjoy the possible ride and keep your eye on the NFL standings like a hawk. The Lions must build the rest of their season on the confidence and momentum of this three game winning streak. If they can’t, it’s time to start looking at mock drafts again.

Some interesting things that happened for the Lions in week 12:

The Lions hand the Eagles their first ever thanksgiving loss.

Matthew Stafford set a Detroit Lions record for most passing touchdowns on Thanksgiving.

The Lions get three consecutive wins in weeks 10, 11, and 12 for the first time since 1970.

Ezkiel Ansah ties JJ Watt for first place in sacks.

The Lions score 20 plus points for only the second time in 2015. 

The Lions score 40 plus points for the first time since week 13 of 2013 season.