The opening game of the Detroit Lions post-season will be a fierce battle, no question. Seattle is 8-5 against the Lions all time. Most recently, Detroit has struggled against the harsh Seattle defense. The last time these two teams faced off, the game seemed to be in Detroit’s hands but they saw it slip away after a questionable call from a forced fumble by Kam Chancellor, that was subsequently slapped out of the end zone. That should have resulted in a safety, but the call was, well, there was no call. The NFL admitted it was the wrong outcome But the Lions lost the game and missed the playoffs.
Maybe just as interesting will be the rematch between two key players and their former teams
Each team brings a player holding a grudge against their former club. On the defensive side of the ball, Seattle’s Cliff Avril will see his old team again and wounds may still be fresh, since the defensive end signed with Seattle in 2013. He’s seen success since making the change, going from the only 0-16 team in NFL history to a now 3-time NFC West champ, 2 time NFC champ and winner of Superbowl 48. Yes, it builds character but does the recent success alleviate the heartburn caused in those 5 dreadful seasons at Detroit?
On the other side of the ball and bringing back more controversy than his counterpart is Golden Tate. Tate was on that winning Superbowl 48 team with Cliff Avril, but his departure from Seattle seemed fated after the long and illustrious history of controversy and rumors.
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While Tate attributes his move to opportunities to play next to the likes of Calvin Johnson and Matthew Stafford, it’s common knowledge that he and Seattle did not part ways amicably. He even called the offer for his contract extension “laughable”. From the Fail Mary to the tainted taunting touchdown versus the rams, you can say one thing for Tate. He wasn’t boring. Seattle has no shortage of big personalities and he seemed to fit right in, but all things must come to an end.
How does the match-up stack?
This will be a fun game to watch. With Avril on one side and Tate on the other, maybe we’ll see some fireworks. Given the game that the Lions were slighted in last year, they will be looking for revenge. Can they get it? It depends on how much drive they have to take their frustration out on Seattle and the Twelfth Man.
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