A postseason appearance still feels like an absolute dream for the Detroit Lions, despite it becoming not only the goal each season, but almost a given under their current leadership. But, that was far from the case while Matthew Stafford was in Detroit, which he clearly still thinks about.
He spoke to Chris Long on his "Green Light" podcast recently about that, describing how jarring the teams' first meeting with Drew Brees in the NFC Wild Card in 2011 was.
“Man, there was a lot going on. I was going up against Drew Brees, right? So that was just like, ‘Oh man, what do I have to do to try to win this game? We actually started the game well, had the lead at halftime, and then I think they came and scored like 35 unanswered and blew the doors off us. It’s a lot, right? I think you’re always making the dance, man. Making the playoffs, you’re so hopeful. You never know. It’s like, ‘Oh man, there’s a new juice that comes alive.’ It’s like, ‘Man, we’re only a few games away from doing what we’ve always wanted to do.’
"But at the same time, after we lost that game, I just used it as an experience to learn. Unfortunately, we didn’t get back there enough when I was in Detroit. Only two other trips and had a tough loss in Dallas and another one in Seattle.”
Stafford's tale of Lions postseason struggles should be a warning for current team
The Lions and Rams have continued to execute what looks to be one of the most even-sided trades in NFL history. The Rams and Lions exchanged quarterbacks in 2021, with Jared Goff landing with the Lions and Stafford headed to Los Angeles. Stafford won a Super Bowl with the team soon after, and the Rams have been a postseason threat for basically every season he's been under center with them.
As for the Lions, 2025 was probably their only "disappointing" season under Goff, although, it was far from his fault. They've also had some postseason success with him in 2023 and 2024, barely missing out on a Super Bowl appearance in 2023. But, they just have to bounce back...right?
It's a hard thing to assume. Head coach Dan Campbell famously said following Detroit's collapse against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game in 2023 that that game might've been their only shot. It's a tough pill to swallow, but it's a realistic one.
READ MORE: Damone Clark's role for Lions is clear after strong minicamp for rest of LB group
Anything can happen in any given year, which is one of the best and worst things about fandom. Your team could struggle to find their footing throughout the regular season, eek into the postseason, and go on a generational run at just the right time to trounce opponents and win it all.
You could have a dominant season, clinch the division, and watch all your wheels fall of due to injury which prevents you from making it past even the Divisional round.
The Lions obviously hope that they're not just simply repeating history with Goff, as they were with Stafford. Their roster is a whole lot better overall now than it was during his tenure, which should bring some comfort. But, the ebbs and flows for NFL teams that are perennial contenders, but never victors, continue to hit the Lions.
A Super Bowl appearance, at minimum, would do a great job to dispel the notion that they'll simply always be the bridesmaid, and never the bride.
Add us as a preferred source on Google