Lions Lose Their Bad Reputation and…

admin | December 25, 2023 | Other Clubs | No Comments

Drought is over; Lions win first division title in 30 years.

Fans of the Lions, have a Merry Christmas. For the first time since the 1993 season, your NFL team has won a division title.

The last time the organization claimed a division title, this writer was less than a year old. At the time, just four current Detroit players were born: long snapper Jake McQuaide, offensive lineman Graham Glasglow, backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, and left tackle Taylor Decker.

Jared Goff, the Lions’ starting quarterback, was born a year later, in 1994.

And, at the time, the division was not known as the NFC North. It was still known as the NFC Central, and it had five clubs rather than four. When the NFL expanded to four divisions per conference in 2002, the Buccaneers, who were the fifth franchise, relocated to the NFC South.

Back in 1993, the globe was a very different place.

A loaf of bread, for example, cost 75 cents, a gallon of gas cost $1.11, Bill Clinton had just been inaugurated president for the first time, “Jurassic Park” was number one at the box office, and the late Whitney Houston was still queen of the music world. “I Will Always Love You,” her hit, was the number one song in America.

There is no denying that a lot has changed in the last three decades, notably with the Lions.

Fortunately for Lions fans, in 2021, Lions ownership made a commitment to developing a winning culture by hiring Chris Spielman, Brad Holmes, and Dan Campbell to their respective positions.

Because, from 1994 to that point, Detroit had only made seven playoff appearances, had never hosted a playoff game, and had never won a postseason game. Furthermore, the franchise had gone 165-266-1 during that time period, with a winless season (0-16 in 2008) smack dab in the center of all of those seasons.

Even as the losses mounted, the Lions faithful’s devotion remained unwavering. The crowds kept coming, first to the Pontiac Silverdome and later to Ford Field in downtown Detroit (which opened in 2002). And, despite the lack of on-field evidence, they remained optimistic that their favorite NFL club will turn things around one day.

After opening the 2022 season 1-6 and winning just three games the previous season, it was far from certain that Campbell would be the head coach to right the ship in Motown. Many supporters, in fact, began to question if Campbell, a former tight end with the team, was the appropriate man for the position.

At the time, it appeared that Campbell would be the latest in a long series of Lions head coaches to be sacked without cause.

However, since that sixth loss of last season (on Oct. 30 to the Miami Dolphins), the organization has undergone a seismic shift.

In fact, Detroit has an incredible 19-6 record in its last 25 games. And, since January 1, Campbell’s team has only lost four games and has easily emerged as the best team in the NFC North.

If anyone deserved to triumph, it was this fervent Lions fanbase, who has endured 19 losing seasons since 1993.

Goff, like the squad he’s presently working for, has been dogged and underrated in the past.

Goff was considered as nothing more than a throw-in to complete the Matthew Stafford blockbuster trade nearly three years ago. And, in the view of many commentators and fans, the veteran quarterback was merely a “bridge quarterback” to Stafford’s genuine successor in Detroit.

But fast forward to now, and the story of Goff has changed. He, like the Lions, has improved his play and is now widely regarded as the organization’s long-term solution at center.

“It’s hard to (describe), it’s a lot of hard work, a lot of hard work, excuse me, a lot of hard work, and yeah, the division (championship) feels good,” an obviously emotional Goff said of Detroit’s comeback after the game. “It’s emotional, but it’s only the start for us.” This is our first checkmark. “I get emotional thinking about all of the guys who went through 3-13-1, 1-6 early last year, and now can stand here as NFC North champions.”

Goff and Campbell deserve a lot of credit for the team’s dramatic comeback.

They’ve helped firmly build a winning brand of football in the Motor City because to their outstanding leadership talents. As a result, they’ve made this a “special” time to be a Lions fan.

“I’m proud of a number of people in this organization,” Campbell said following the Lions’ NFC North-clinching win over the Vikings on Sunday. “I am extremely proud of the coaches and players.” This is unique. This is unique. It’s not something you get to do every day. Winning a division is always special. Because of the effort involved, I don’t care how many you get. It’s great to accomplish something for a team that hasn’t been done in 30 years.”

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Lions Lose Their Bad Reputation and…

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