MichiganCardinal

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Assuming we don't get the bye, who would we like to see in the wildcard round, if we had a choice? Right now it's (6) Vikings (7-7), (7) Rams (7-7), (8) Saints (7-7), (9) Seahawks (6-7), (10) Falcons (6-8), (11) Packers (6-8)... the Giants and Bears are technically not eliminated, but for all intents and purposes aren't worth considering. The Rams, Falcons, Saints, Packers are probably my four preferred in order. Stafford's return to Detroit being in Ford Field's first playoff game would be cinematic. And I don't think they're that great of a team. While I think they are going to capitalize on your mistakes if you make any (any playoff team would), I think they would be playing with house money as a 6 or 7-seed. They're a middle of the pack team across pretty much every metric, and I think Goff would have a field day against McVay. Neither the Saints or Falcons impress me. We've done it once and we can do it again. While a rubber match against the Packers doesn't seem appealing, they've plateaued since that matchup, and I think the Lions would be ready to roll over the Packers more akin to the first meeting. The Vikings I don't love, but I also think we should win. I don't love the idea of playing three out of four consecutive weeks against one opponent. Hopefully we would only be playing starters for one of the first two games, and I'm sure either way we would have cards close to the chest in the second match if we saw the third one coming, but it just feels weird. In any event though, I think we would win. The Seahawks scare me a bit. They just seem to have our number for some reason. Another game we should win, but we should have beat them in week two. And last year.

Yeah. But what about those second down runs??

Bills up 14 on the Cowboys Cardinals within a point of the 49ers

If Carolina wins another one, they and New England would be tied for the #1 pick (which Chicago owns).

Even if disaster struck and we lost out, I’m very confident a 10-7 team will make the playoffs in the NFC. I’m not really worried about clinching that today.

The only thing I can think of is that if the Packers were eliminated before the Vikings game in week 17 they would not give full effort? But I think that would take a loss to the Panthers next week, which would be a tall task. A 9-8 team probably makes it as the #7 seed this year. Even 8-9 might. And I think the Packers would love to knock the Vikings out of the North race anyway (we could be rooting for them in that game, maybe that’s what you were thinking of). I will definitely take the Packers getting eliminated.

Green Bay would be eliminated from the North with a loss.

After being traded he was quoted as saying, “[t]hat’s really what we’re here to do is go somewhere and win games… That’s kinda the first time I’ve been able to say that. So I’m pretty excited. I really am.” Since those comments were made, the Lions are 18-6 and the Vikings are 14-10, plus a playoff loss.

Rumor has it they asked Patricia why he was even with the team and he reminded them of the greatest defensive play call in Super Bowl history, after which they said “oh I’m so sorry sir here’s a promotion”

I’ll admit that I was discouraged with the team after the Bears game. I never went so far as to call for firings I don’t think, though I came close with Glenn. I can’t speak for everyone, but I think the last 13 months have spoiled me to an certain extent. That stretch of games against the Raiders, Chargers, Bears, Packers, Saints, and Bears, they were playing some ugly football. But they went 4-2. It’s probably not fair to demand pretty when they are finding ways to win. But it was a tremendous relief to finally see the team do what we’ve seen them do across the last three seasons, taking a good team like the Cardinals (2021) or Jaguars (2022) and outperforming them in every facet of the game. My preseason prediction was 12-5 and a spot in the NFCCG. Might as well stick with that.

If you can’t make a 50-yard field goal you better be damn near perfect on extra points

I think fair expectations are one playoff win. That said, the NFL isn’t the NBA. When you have one game - sixty minutes - to go balls to the wall and leave it all on the field, I’ll take Dan Campbell over anybody in the league to have the team ready to go. While we can’t expect a win against San Francisco or Philadelphia (or I guess the perpetual frauds in Dallas), I think they are all beatable on any given Sunday. The Bengals showed us two years ago what a team that was still a year or two away from peaking can do when they get hot at the right time.

All I want for Christmas is an NFC North title.

vs. Setting: 12/24/2023 1:00pm EST on FOX Site: U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN Weather: Climate Controlled Opening Spread: Lions -2.5 All-Time Series Record: Vikings lead, 80-41-2 Last Meeting: 12/11/2022, Lions won 34-23 Minnesota Vikings (7-7) Head Coach: Kevin O'Connell (2nd Season: 20-11) Projected Starting QB: Nick Mullens (7th Season: 5-13) Last Week: 27-24 L @ Cincinnati Bengals (8-6) in OT Looking Ahead to Week #17: Sunday Night v. Green Bay Packers (6-7)* Your Detroit Lions (9-4) Head Coach: Dan Campbell (3rd Season: 22-25-1) Projected Starting QB: Jared Goff (8th Season: 64-49-1) Last Week: 42-17 W v. Denver Broncos (7-7) Looking Ahead to Week #17: Saturday Night @ Dallas Cowboys (10-3)* Elsewhere in the NFL Primetime: Saints @ Rams (TNF), Patriots @ Broncos (SNF) Saturday: Bengals @ Steelers (4:30), Bills @ Chargers (8:00) 1:00pm: Colts @ Falcons, Packers @ Panthers, Browns @ Texans, Commanders @ Jets, Seahawks @ Titans 4:05/4:25pm: Jaguars @ Buccaneers, Cardinals @ Bears, Cowboys @ Dolphins Christmas Day: Raiders @ Chiefs (1:00), Giants @ Eagles (4:30), Ravens @ 49ers (MNF)

Pregame I predicted 41-10 with the caption “a return to identity”. I think what was most impressive about yesterday was that it wasn’t a return to an identity so much as it was forging a new one. Goff hadn’t thrown five touchdowns since week four of 2018 (his Super Bowl run). Despite their success running the ball, they passed again and again. If they can pass like that, they can outscore anyone in the league.

Not in the trade, but Paschal had a great game tonight too.

I hope we get to judge in an NFC Championship Game

I gave it a shot. Section appears beyond the legal limit.

Did someone say wave? Ford Field is pumping

That was dirty. He should have been ejected.

They moved the ball, put the defense back on the field, took the points off the board, and then announced that it stands. WTF

At least he’s good for something.

The forecast called for sun on this parade thank you very much

Hell of a play by LaPorta