Detroit Lions: Was last Sunday night a glimpse of things to come?

For the first time in quite some time, the Detroit Lions displayed an ability to not just be good, but really good. This is a team that has needs on the defensive front seven but didn’t play like it Sunday. Instead, they played like the strength of the team.

This was a team that hasn’t been well coached, not only in practice, but during a game in quite some time either, but just look at last Sunday.

That being said; what is the carryover effect, if any?

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The truth of the matter is that the players aren’t blind. They all understand who they were facing last Sunday. A dynasty the likes of which we haven’t seen since at least the Pittsburgh Steelers of the 1970’s and maybe not truly since Vince Lombardi’s Packers of the 1960’s.

If they did not believe in the system before, they have to be feeling somewhat optimistic about it now, if not completely buying-in.

The greatest effect it could have on these Lions is if they come out and give a repeat performance in Dallas. Because if they can, then it will definitely become a belief they can build on.

A belief that can completely change even the deplorable losing culture of over a half a century. Yes, I know it was one game and this weekend will be just one more, but since lightning doesn’t strike in the same place twice, a repeat performance would solidify the belief in Matt Patricia’s system and themselves.

Championship teams not only have talent and good coaching in common, the biggest thing they have in common is ‘belief’. The ability to play a bad first half of football, but still absolutely know they will win.

To know and accept the work and sacrifices they are making in both practice and games will lead to championships.

With that kind of belief, the Lions have a definite chance to turn around the season and perhaps, even create a new, brighter future for this franchise. A future that many Lions fans have dreamed of but never seen since the long-ago decade of the 1950’s when they were the kings of the NFL jungle.

So when my good friend turned to me after last Sunday’s beating the Lions administered to the Patriots and said, ‘this is it, this is the beginning of the Patricia dynasty’. I had to admit that if they could consistently play at that level, then they certainly would put themselves in a position to win plenty of games and maybe even get that first playoff win since 1991. Because any franchise with good coaching, talent and belief have the opportunity to turn things around.

Now, will these Lions do it? We should start to get a better idea this Sunday in Dallas.