MichiganCardinal

I use Justin Rogers. He posts it pretty quickly after the game.

I don't think Hutch gives him the option. He's going out there, Dan Campbell's only choice is whether he wants to get a penalty for too many men by sending out 11 other guys too. I actually think there is a non-zero chance he is activated for the NFC Championship Game, assuming he's medically cleared. I would rather Hutch be activated for that game on a 25-50% snap count, get his legs under him, and have the potential for him to be 100% in the Super Bowl, than have a depth player like Chris Smith active (who recorded 8 snaps last night).

Before the game yesterday, I was invited to participate in a focus group of season ticket holders with one of the executives. He had a fancy title but ultimately was a guy who wears a suit to a football game. It was a cool experience, most of it was asking us about their sponsors and partners, what we notice and what we don't. Asking the group "do you know who the official mortgage provider is?", "what about who sponsors Hometown Heroes?", etc. I think they use it to price their partnerships. Like, increasing the price of Hometown Heroes and telling corporations "98% of our focus group recognizes the sponsor of this event" The one thing that stuck out to me though was questions about the name of Ford Field. He asked us our thoughts about the name, and how we would feel if the name changed. He didn't say this, but their initial 25-year naming agreement from 2002 is up in 2027, and I would bet they're getting significant offers to rename the stadium. The room was in consensus that having the staples of Ford Field and Comerica Park (and LCA to a lesser extent because it's new) is important. I brought up the White Sox stadium and how that's changed so many times I don't even know the name anymore. It was an interesting insight on the inner workings.

Like Campbell told the team after the NFCCG last year, "this may have been our only shot. Do I think that? No. Do I believe that? No -- however, I know how hard it is to get here. I'm well aware. And it's going to be twice as hard to get back to this point next year, than it was this year. That's the reality." Despite the audience, that wasn't a message to last year's team, it was a message to this year's team. You can't squander an opportunity and expect to just run it back the next year. That's what they have right now, a massive opportunity. Win two home games and you're going to the Super Bowl. Don't squander it.

Generally speaking, I think Holmes drafts not for that coming season, but for what the team will look like in 2-3 seasons. Whereas generally he uses free agency and trading to address immediate needs. It's why he takes guys like Vaki, Manu, and Rakestraw in the draft, trades for a guy like CDIII, and signs a guy like Zeitler. On offense, Mahagony seems to have the inside lane to replace one of Glasgow and Zeitler, once it's needed. Knock on all the wood, but Ragnow has had a very healthy season after battling that nagging turf toe all of last year. I'm not at all worried about his longevity right now. So that said, you probably need one guard and maybe one tackle, depending on how well Gio Manu develops, which none of us know. Beyond the line, you maybe need to think about replacing Montgomery in the coming years, though Vaki may be primed to do so. You need to make a decision on Jamo as well. If Jamo is extended, you're pretty well set at WR for the foreseeable future. You could probably stand to improve on Tim Patrick, but there's no urgency or real "need" there. Run it back with Tim Patrick, find the next Tim Patrick, whatever, they'll figure something out, like they've done between DJ Chark and Josh Reynolds. I think the slightly more likely direction is still on defense, and specifically the line. The line is anchored by McNeill and Hutch, and you have DJ Reader and Za'Darius Smtih for next season, but Reader will be 31 and Smith 33 next season, in addition to McNeill rehabbing an ACL. Z's snap counts and usage also indicates that there isn't a lot of trust there on run defense, and the youth there in Brodric Martin hasn't showed the development that a lot of us were hoping for (not writing him off, just saying he's not ready). I do think they give Levi a second contract, which is crazy to have said a year ago, but overall that's probably the unit with the most question marks looking to 2026 and 2027, that could also use a rookie's immediate boost. I've been pounding the drum for a few seasons, but I think finding an A-tier edge rusher to line up across from Hutch could take the defense from being top-ten to top-three in the league. I think the linebackers are set, and may be among the best in the league next year, as long as Glenn stays or the replacement picks up where he's leaving off. Carlton Davis will probably, though not necessarily, walk this offseason. They might pick up a free agent replacement, but you have Amik and Rakestraw still here, so there's not a ton of urgency there either, and in any event your safeties are the best in the league. This is a really good team. Now and in the future. It's a fun time to be a fan.

On the bright side they'll go into week one of next season not having lost a game on the road since the 2024 NFC Championship Game, or in the regular season since Brad Allen imagined Dan Skipper reporting in Dallas. And they'll be very well battle tested again for the very likely playoff run. Kind of a lackluster home schedule from an entertainment standpoint. Divisional games are always good and the Steelers will be fun. But Browns, Giants, Bucs again, and having to exist in the same building as Cowboys fans for a couple hours won't have me breaking down the door to get in.

It's nice to not have this even be in the corner of our minds here in January, but for the majority of the NFL, they are looking ahead to maybe one day being the next Detroit Lions. Tennessee Titans (3-14) Cleveland Browns (3-14) New York Giants (3-14) New England Patriots (4-13) Jacksonville Jaguars (4-13) Las Vegas Raiders (4-13) New York Jets (5-12) Carolina Panthers (5-12) New Orleans Saints (5-12) Chicago Bears (5-12) San Francisco 49ers (6-11) Dallas Cowboys (7-10) Miami Dolphins (8-9) Indianapolis Colts (8-9) Atlanta Falcons (8-9) Arizona Cardinals (8-9) Cincinnati Bengals (9-8) Seattle Seahawks (10-7) I love that the Bears had an awful season even by their standards - lost 11 straight games at one point - fired a coordinator, then fired a coach, are working hard to ruin another rookie QB...... and barely have a top 10 pick to show for it.

Coaching Carousel Predictions: New York Jets: Mike McCarthy Chicago Bears: Joe Brady New Orleans Saints: Aaron Glenn Jacksonville Jaguars: Brian Flores New England Patriots: Mike Vrabel Dallas Cowboys: Kellen Moore

Lawrence should demand a trade if he wants to still have a chance at a halfway decent NFL career.

I'll do predictions later this week, but on the AFC side I see five teams that could legitimately beat any of the other teams in the AFC on any given Sunday. The Chiefs are the Chiefs, but the Bills, Ravens, Chargers, and Broncos are all really good teams that have the capability of taking over a game. It would surprise me to see the Steelers turn it around the way they've collapsed backwards into the playoffs, but you can't even fully count them out with Mike Tomlin as their coach. I think the NFC is a little less congested. It feels like it'll either be the Lions or Eagles, but it's not as if teams like the Rams, Vikings, Packers, and even Commanders aren't standing there ready to take advantage if either of those teams pull a Cowboys.

Elsewhere in the NFC Sunday: #7 Green Bay Packers @ #2 Philadelphia Eagles (4:30pm on FOX), #6 Washington Commanders @ #3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8:00pm on NBC) Monday: #5 Minnesota Vikings @ #4 Los Angeles Rams (8:00pm on ESPN) And Over in the AFC Saturday: #5 Los Angeles Chargers @ #4 Houston Texans (4:30pm on CBS), #6 Pittsburgh Steelers @ #3 Baltimore Ravens (8:00pm on Prime) Sunday: #7 Denver Broncos @ #2 Buffalo Bills (1:00pm on CBS) BYE: #1 Kansas City Chiefs

For all the good a bye week brings, how much do you want to bet Dan Campbell has them practicing in pads on Wednesday? I bet he goes as physical - if not more physical - than a normal game week.

This was the first playoff atmosphere that it felt like really made a difference. Stafford and Mayfield both persevered through the noise at Ford Field. Darnold did not. He was rattled by the atmosphere. Which is awesome.

Washington reminds me a lot of Tampa from last year. Not the most talent in the world, but a good squad capable of winning a playoff game. Capable of winning more than one playoff game, if you let them. Detroit would probably enter that game a touchdown favorite, similar to Tampa last year. They’re probably my preferred opponent out of LA, Minnesota, Green Bay, and them.

It’s like they all said “finally, a game that matters!”

Fun fact, the Vikings $2 million was good for roughly $222,222 per point.

They showed Hutch on the sideline before that sack and the volume was PIERCING. It’s an insane atmosphere in this building.

They’re letting them play…. When one team is on offense.

Section 113 has passed high five stage and is onto the hugging stage. Let’s ****ing finish this ****.

You can see the Lions are the better team. But any given Sunday. Get 7 here and start chilling champagne.

The defense can only do so much. The one way the Lions lose this game is by gifting the Vikings possessions, and it’s what they’re doing. So freaking frustrating.

Ten has got to be among the least we’ve scored in a half this year. And it’s been more self inflicted than Vikings inflicted.

Lions have been the better team by a step today. Offense and defense. Bad bounce or two away from this being a 14+ point game. Maintain the status quo and you might win by 10+.

Hindsight is 20/20. I thought they should have just gotten the yard too but Jamo was wide open. Win some you lose some.

Frustrating game so far. Lions have been far better but a four point lead to show for it and being threatened.