NoviTalk.org

2010 Lions – Kings “off” the Road

Well the 2000-2009 Lions have added a new tough history in the record books. The Decade started with Marty “the Bar is High” Mornhinweg, and ended by setting the Bar very low. Their .260 decade will be tough for generations of NFL teams to beat as will be 0-16 and the record 2 year ineptitude of 2-26.

So now we face optimism a new! The Kings of August have gone 3-1 (they are 10-2 over the last 3 pre-seasons, 9-39 for real) and we are looking at playoffs? Why does Jim Mora come to mind? If you plan on seeing the Lions in the NFL playoffs soon you better charge the Flux Capacitor in the old DeLorean.

While Stafford looks much improved and will hopefully make folks forget Mr. Harrington there’s a lot of distance between two years of winless Division play and a Wild Card slot. And then there’s the schedule. Detroit plays 8 games against last years play off teams. You can bet those teams fans have the Lions game as an “easy “W”. No NFL team plays more of last years winners.

Along with the luggage carried into the new decade, the Lions own a 20 game road losing streak. This challenges the NFL record of 24 set by the 2000-2003 Detroit Lions. So the 2010 Lions are challenged just as they were 10 years earlier. Hello Deja Vu and for 2010 . . .

THE 2010 Detroit LIONS-
– - On the Road Again.

The opening day road game in Chicago is the best chance to break the road streak and avoid tieing the NFL record of 24. The next “easiest” opponent is Buffalo. A loss in the opener and that could be the record breaking 25th.

The 2010 Defense will depend upon an improved line to help a Defensive backfield that had the second worst statistics in NFL history last year. (Of course the worst stats in NFL history belonged to the 2008 Lions). The secondary features speed, youth and inexperience with 3 rookies on the roster.

The high water mark for this edition of the Detroit Lions includes improving the home record to .500 (4 wins) and that one elusive road victory. Too pessimisstic for you? That Home record will require a defeat of at least one of those last year playoff squads.

So in 2010 happiness is 5-11.

The 2010 honorary captain is Willie Nelson. And for those with the DeLorean ready, here’s Willie as he looked the last time the Lions were a force in the NFL.