MichiganCardinal

The offseason talk has to begin with Decker. He's been hurt all year. How hurt? If he gets surgery in January or February, will he be in 2024 form by July or August? Or is this as much age degeneration as it is injury? Does he even want to return? If he's not back, you have no choice but to make that Priority #1. I don't know the cap implications of cutting him but Braden Smith (IND) will be a free agent. So will Jonah Williams (ARI). They're both in their late 20s though and will probably want a three-year deal, with the knowledge they'll probably regress soon. They're also both RTs, which means you're moving either them or Sewell out of position, something they haven't wanted to do. Otherwise, you're calling on a rookie to protect Goff's blindside. I'm not a fan of that. Priority #2 is begging Ragnow to come back. Obviously as a starter. Asking him to be a backup would be downright insulting. If the line next fall is Decker-Mahogany-Ragnow-Ratledge-Sewell, I think we are in significantly better shape that we were this year. If Ragnow will come back for one more year, tutor Ratledge at the center position, and allow Frazier to be a reserve IOL for a year, we are going to be in good shape. Priority #3 is a complete autopsy on the defense. For as rough as the offensive line looked, it's a real possibility the Lions will finish the season leading the league in points per game on offense without making the playoffs. How? Why? You don't need to fire Sheppard, but he needs to have a plan or his seat will be hot. The secondary was depleted, getting torched by better QBs was to be expected to some degree. But why did the run defense go from being a strength to being a liability? Will Kerby be back? Can you rely on him? When will Branch be back? Can you rely on him? Davenport better not be back. How do you finally address the Edge across from Hutch? Levi will probably be back. Can you rely on him? What can you expect out of Rakestraw? What can you expect out of Tyleik Williams? Why did Alim lose an edge this season? The list goes on. All told, I think my ideal offseason includes: 1. Decker returns 2. Ragnow returns 3. Re-sign Amik 4. Sign Jalen Thompson (DB, ARI) 5. Sign David Onyemata (DT, ATL) 6. 1st round edge rusher 7. 2nd round offensive tackle of the future 8. Late round defensive depth

vs. Setting: 12/25/2025 4:30pm on CBS (locally) & Netflix Site: US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN Weather: Climate Controlled Opening Spread: Lions -5.5 All-Time Series Record: Vikings lead, 81-45-2 Last Meeting: 11/02/2025, Vikings won 27-24 Minnesota Vikings (7-8) Head Coach: Kevin O'Connell (4th Season: 41-25) Projected Starting QB: JJ McCarthy (2nd Season: 5-4) or Max Brosmer (1st Season: 0-1) Last Week: 16-13 W @ New York Giants (2-13) Looking Ahead to Week #18: TBD vs. Green Bay Packers (9-5-1) Your Detroit Lions (8-7) Head Coach: Dan Campbell (5th Season: 47-35-1) Projected Starting QB: Jared Goff (10th Season: 89-59-1) Last Game: 29-24 L vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6) Looking Ahead to Week #18: TBD @ Chicago Bears (11-4) Elsewhere in the NFL Christmas Day: Cowboys @ Commanders (1:00pm), Broncos @ Chiefs (8:15pm) Saturday: Texans @ Chargers (4:30pm), Ravens @ Packers (8:00pm) Primetime: Bears @ 49ers (SNF), Rams @ Falcons (MNF) 1:00pm: Cardinals @ Bengals, Steelers @ Browns, Saints @ Titans, Jaguars @ Colts, Buccaneers @ Dolphins, Patriots @ Jets, Seahawks @ Panthers 4:05/4:25pm: Giants @ Raiders, Eagles @ Bills

Goff needs to return those golf carts.

Maybe I just don’t understand the “down by contact” rule. He’s rolling around on the ground via contact that was acknowledged via penalty…. But not actually down??

“The ruling on the field is an incomplete pass.” ”Jk lol touchdown”

The irony of calling DPI on a play where they rule him not down by contact is just chef’s kiss to NFL officiating.

Yes.

Why does every game have to be frustrating?

You’re right of course. I rabbit holed this. If the Ravens win and Steelers lose, the Ravens would hold the tiebreaker against Pittsburgh with a Week #18 win because of common opponents. Baltimore beat Chicago, Pittsburgh lost to Chicago. So yes, official stance, we want the Patriots to win.

It’s complicated but I’m rethinking my calculus from earlier where I said there was a situation there would be nothing for the Ravens to play for. If the Lions win today the Steelers will be 8-7. If Ravens lose today: Ravens would be 8-7. Which means win or lose for both teams in week #17, it would come down to week #18. But since the Steelers beat the Ravens in their first matchup, the Ravens would need some tiebreaking help. In the division, the Steelers/Browns game next week would matter to that. So too early to tell. If the Ravens win today: they are 9-6, a game up, and could clinch the division next week with a win and a Steelers loss to the Browns. Ravens and Packers play on Saturday Night, so they won’t know yet. All that being said, I don’t think it matters. Ravens will want to beat the Packers.

I've felt the same way as a much more casual movie-goer. I will usually go two or three times a year, often by myself on a day I have nothing else to do. But I won't go if there's just nothing worth watching. I looked last weekend and that's how I would describe the current slate. I have no interest. It feels like it's been forever since I had to choose between two I actually wanted to see. If I had to guess, it was probably 2018 when Infinity War and Deadpool 2 were both out... Normally it's "eh I guess this seems like it might be okay." It feels like we get a really good original movie once every three or four years and then they just beat it to death for the next two decades. None I can think of this year. None I can think of in 2024. We got the Oppenheimer and Barbie summer in 2023. None I can think of in 2022.... Looking at 2024, the top ten highest grossing films were: Inside Out 2, Deadpool 3, Moana 2, Despicable Me 4, Wicked, Mufasa: The Lion King, Dune 2, another Godzilla, Kung Fu Panda 4, and Sonic 3.... Like holy sequel, batman! This year, the Minecraft Movie is the only original I can think of. And guess what's already gotten green lit for a sequel? The last movie I saw in theaters was Weapons, which I thought was decent. But then it's offered in my HBO Max subscription two months later. I definitely could have waited if I didn't want the theater experience.

Lots going in the Lions favor for this one. They're coming off a loss while the Steelers are coming off a short week. Lions also need to win out while the Steelers will likely be in a win-and-you're-in game against the Ravens in Week #18 no matter what. Steelers are going to be missing their MVP TJ Watt and their second best edge rusher Nick Herbig. Those two combine for a third of the Steelers sacks this year. Goff should have time. On the offensive side the Steelers will be starting a 3rd string journeyman at LT who is fresh out of concussion protocol. Next to him at LG will be a 2023 7th round pick who has been forced into starting duties often this year. They're protecting an immobile aging QB who has turned into a check down king, averaging just 2.4 air yards per pass attempt, the lowest in the NFL. (For context, the next lowest is Geno Smith at 2.9 and the league average is 3.7; Rodgers in this regard has decreased every year since 2020). I think the Lions win this handily. If they don't it'll be as frustrating as the Giants game with the secondary getting torched and Goff throwing a pick or two. The Steelers are worse than their record indicates. They are well coached but lacking in talent and rely heavily on other teams missing tackles on those check downs and making mistakes of their own. Their +10 turnover differential is 5th best in the league. Take care of the gah damn ball and we'll be on to the next one. Go Colts, Go Patriots. Lions 41 Steelers 24

Quoting from this week’s GDT, but I think this is exactly right. Some people will be upset we don’t control our own destiny, but what does that really mean if we get bounced in the wildcard round? Getting the Niners at home, then maybe even hosting a second home game before the NFCCG, feels like a much more plausible path to the Super Bowl than having to go on the road to Philly, Seattle, and LA, SF, or Green Bay. For the sake of argument, say we beat Pittsburgh and Minnesota, because if we don’t, we don’t deserve to be in the playoffs anyway. If both Green Bay (vs. Ravens) and Chicago (@ 49ers) lose next week, then we are looking at a situation where the winner of Detroit/Chicago will win the North. Either Detroit at 11-6 via tiebreaker or Chicago at 12-5… The loser will likely either be the 7-seed if Green Bay loses to Minnesota, or more likely would be eliminated entirely. Yet another Sunday Night Football finish in week 18?! The Niners still have the Colts, Bears, and Seahawks too, so it’s not out of the realm of possibility the Lions will make the playoffs even if the Packers and Bears win next week. But I think today helped the Lions.

Love out with a concussion. Malik Willis in. I’m old enough to remember when people here wanted the Lions to draft him.

An apt quote I saw on Twitter before I heed your advice and shut up.

Speaking of the old guard, what's Condoleezza Rice up to?

Probably. It's all a spectrum and it's not like Grasso is going to have to pay the pied piper if the next guy brings about Scandal #347. He'll either be long gone, or have quietly taken his teaching role back. In either event, he won't be making the apology statement. If they can get DeBour or Dillingham, they'll call either of the highest moral standards. But they're not going to seek out Brian Kelly. And if plans A, B, C, D, and E all fall through, I wouldn't be shocked to see them look towards the old guard of morality gatekeepers in the college football world before looking to guys who have won at all costs.

Based on Grasso's statement yesterday, I would be surprised if they don't have David Shaw and Lance Leipold on their list, even if they're not on ours. "Our University is built on achieving excellence - excellence in academics, research, patient care, service, and athletics. In that pursuit, we are guided by a relentless commitment to integrity and the public good. As we conduct our search for our next football coach, we intend to hire an individual who can and will instill that spirit, and who will represent the highest values that our University holds dear. We will hire an individual who is of the highest moral character, and who will serve as a role model and respected leader for the entire football program - and who will, with dignity and integrity, be a fierce competitor."

I'd probably prefer to keep Poggi as interim for a year and resign ourselves to going 8-4 in 2026 than make the wrong hire and go 8-4 in 2026, 2027, and 2028, before paying a substantial buyout. I'm not speaking specifically to Leonhard, haven't put any thought to him at all. Just to say they need to avoid doing what Ole Miss just did in panic hiring Pete Golding.

A playoff game at SoFi would be a Detroit home game. A playoff game at Lumen would most definitely not be. That said, they may have a slightly better chance against the Seahawks. They've exposed Sam Darnold before. To beat the Rams would be to win 52-49, which feels unlikely.

This is true for every other team, but this is the Jets we are talking about. It would be like if the Lions fired Campbell after going 3-13-1 in 2021. Yeah you sucked, of course you sucked, look at your roster.

Illinois lawmakers probably laughed at that letter and said “fine not in 2027 either, have fun in Gary.” Just wait for Bears leadership to start trying to sell their fans on Hammond, Indiana being oh so very different from Gary, Indiana. Or better yet, the feasibility of a team in the Milwaukee suburbs. Give me the Kenosha Bears!

I'm hoping to get caught up by then. I'm currently on the very unexpected John Cena cameo.

I agree. To their credit, it’s not like the Big Ten has added a school that is well outside their academic mold. But I guess how much does that matter? I think the historical component plays a large role in my mind too. As recently as 20 years ago, the Michigan-Ohio State and Michigan-Michigan State rivalries were almost ironic within departments where faculty had attended or done fellowships at both schools, or were invested in a research project that had components at both schools. That’s not the case between Michigan and UCLA, or Penn State and Oregon. Could it be the case in 20, 30, 50 years? Maybe. But I think conferences are now just synonymous with sports, and particularly football, in a way that probably isn’t good for the original role these conferences played.