Maybe the Detroit Lions didn’t win, but they did gain respect
By Robert Jones
The Detroit Lions may not have been able to pull off the upset over Kansas City, but they did win some well-earned respect.
Last Sunday the Detroit Lions hosted the Kansas City Chiefs. In what was expected by many to be the latest humiliation for a franchise that knows those low-lights all too well, it just may have turned into the coming-out party for Matt Patricia and his players.
This has been one of the most intriguing seasons Lions fans have witnessed in decades. There was renewed optimism among many of the Honolulu Blue and Silver faithful, while the media and some fans that have been jilted too many times have been quick to point out the regularity with which this franchise only accomplishes setting up dashed expectations.
And it all started out with the type of disappointment only the Lions seem to be able to dish out on a consistent basis.
In Arizona, the Lions came out and rolled over the Cardinals for three quarters. They looked good in spurts but learning a new offensive system takes time and they certainly had done more than enough to get the victory.
Then came the fourth quarter when the offense couldn’t move the ball and the defense was suddenly unable to stop the Cardinals as they erased an 18 point Lions lead to send the game into overtime.
The Lions did prevent the Cardinals from winning it in the extra period, but they weren’t able to secure a victory either and the game resolved itself in a 27-27 tie.
The boo birds were out as another black eye was pasted on this sad sack franchise. Only the Lions could turn easy victory into an ignominious tie. It would be all downhill from there as the schedule got tougher.
But a funny thing happened. As the schedule got tougher, so did the Lions. They won two straight hard-fought games over the Chargers and the Eagles who many believe will be playoff teams.
They found a way to survive two tough games while missing opportunities to slam the door on those opponents, much like they did in Arizona. All of which was fine and dandy, but how could it possibly continue against the Chiefs?