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Detroit Lions: Most impressive home openers at Ford Field

By Payne Schanski

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 11: The Detroit Lions take the field prior to the start of the game agains the against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on December 11, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 11: The Detroit Lions take the field prior to the start of the game agains the against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on December 11, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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ORCHARD PARK, NY – SEPTEMBER 01: Jim Swartz, head coach of the Detroit Lions watches from the sideline against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on September 1, 2011 in Orchard Park, New York. Detroit won 16-6. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY – SEPTEMBER 01: Jim Swartz, head coach of the Detroit Lions watches from the sideline against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on September 1, 2011 in Orchard Park, New York. Detroit won 16-6. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images) /

Impressive Home Openers

2011 vs Chiefs (W 48-3)– “Jim Schwartz claimed he wasn’t impressed.” —ESPN.com game recap

Impressive: 

You all know this, but Jim Schwartz was a little out of touch at times.

This one was impressive in every way.

Dominance from beginning to end over a division champion from the previous year.

Stafford showed he was back 100% from his previous injuries.

Calvin Johnson dazzled as prime Megatron, and the defense forced six Kansas City turnovers.

Rest of the season:

They were volatile, but the young Lions team generally found a way to come through.

Nine more wins followed, and the 10-6 finish ended a playoff drought of a dozen years.

Next: Detroit Lions - Predicting 5 Pro Bowl offensive players

In two weeks, the Lions kick things off against Arizona. A strong opening statement could go a long way towards earning a second consecutive playoff berth.

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