Detroit Lions: 10 observations from Monday night’s big win

7. Bob Quinn was getting a lot of love from the MNF announcers. This whole “Patriot Way” thing is probably at least 60% bullcrap, but people are feeling Bob Quinn right now. Every Lions player who made a big play, it was basically, “that’s another BOB QUINN acquisition!” Other than Stafford, anyway.

8. Matt Prater‘s legend lives on. Jason Hanson is probably a Top 5 all-time favorite Lion for me, so it’s hard to talk about another kicker. My god, though. Prater never got enough credit for his role in Tebowmania in 2011. I’m not going to let that happen again. Matt Prater is a Hall of Fame kicker. That 56 yard target shot off the crossbar to go up 17-7 at half is yet another clutch bomb from #5.

9. That one felt easy. The Lions could have gone for another touchdown or at least a field goal on the final drive. No need. When was the last time Detroit had the luxury of deciding not to rub it in? New York never led, never really threatened, from start to finish. No Stafford magic, no Golladay brilliance, just a pretty good team taking care of business against a team with issues.

10. The expectations for 2017 might need to be adjusted. I didn’t think the roster was that much better. I thought the opening part of the schedule was extremely tough. An 0-4 start wouldn’t have shocked or even panicked me. After two straight wins, both by two touchdowns, is it fair for me to raise the bar?

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The should-have-been Super Bowl champs are also 2-0 and entering Ford Field next Sunday. Talk about a measuring stick game. For now, I still say 8-8 is the most reasonable projection. If the Lions can take down the Falcons though…well that would certainly change things.