MichiganCardinal

It's an outdated stat based on an imperfect algorithm that considers completion percentage, yards per attempt, TDs per attempt, and interceptions. So it inherently favors gunslinger offenses who air it out downfield consistently, and disfavors dink and dunk offenses, who will pick you apart. The Lions offense is more the latter. It also disadvantages QBs with good run offenses. If you're consistently driving down the field and punching it in on the ground from the 1, your QBR will be worse.

They played on Thanksgiving in 2016 and 2017. The last time they played a game past 1:00pm though was in 2014, when they played in the 4:25pm slot. The last time they played in real primetime though was Thursday Night Football before Thursday Night Football was a thing. November 30, 2000.

The NFL re-seeds its bracket after the wildcard round, so the 1-seed plays the lowest remaining seed.

If the presumed favored teams win in the NFC on wildcard weekend (Philly, LA, and Minnesota or Detroit), Minnesota and Detroit will play again in the Divisional Round. Kind of an interesting dynamic that the winner very possibly will play back-to-back games against the loser.

The home three, you're probably looking at beating Minnesota twice and maybe Philly or Green Bay. The road three, you're probably looking at beating Tampa Bay, Minnesota, and maybe Philly or LA. This is obviously a really good team on the road. I don't think the drop off from the home three to the road three is all that significant.

Jared Goff is one of the smartest QBs in the league, behind one of the best offensive lines in the league. Flores' schemes are really creative, unique, and stump a lot of NFL offensive lines and QBs. He had Love tied in knots on Sunday. I don't think they will have the same level of success against Goff. The Lions should score plenty. But will it be enough?

Correction: Ten '72 Dolphins, won Super Bowl '82 Redskins, won Super Bowl '84 49ers, won Super Bowl '89 49ers, won Super Bowl '90 49ers, lost NFC Championship Game (at home) '01 Rams, lost Super Bowl '07 Patriots, lost Super Bowl '14 Cowboys, lost Divisional Round (on the road) '16 Patriots, won Super Bowl '20 Chiefs, lost Super Bowl

No. In fact, only nine teams have done this in NFL history. Five won the Super Bowl.

vs. Setting: 01/05/2025 8:20pm EST on NBC Site: Ford Field in Detroit, MI Weather: Climate Controlled Opening Spread: Lions -2.5 All-Time Series Record: Vikings lead, 80-44-2 Last Meeting: 10/20/2024, Lions won 31-29 Minnesota Vikings (14-2) Head Coach: Kevin O'Connell (3rd Season: 34-16) Projected Starting QB: Sam Darnold (7th Season: 35-37) Last Week: 27-25 W v. Green Bay Packers (11-5) Playoff Implications: Clinches NFC North and #1 seed in NFC with victory. Otherwise, #5 seed. Your Detroit Lions (14-2) Head Coach: Dan Campbell (4th Season: 38-28-1) Projected Starting QB: Jared Goff (9th Season: 80-52-1) Last Week: 40-34 W @ San Francisco 49ers (6-10) Playoff Implications: Clinches NFC North and #1 seed in NFC with victory. Otherwise, #5 seed. Elsewhere in the NFL Saturday: Browns @ Ravens (4:30pm), Bengals @ Steelers (8:00pm) 1:00pm: Panthers @ Falcons, Commanders @ Cowboys, Bears @ Packers, Jaguars @ Colts, Bills @ Patriots, Giants @ Eagles, Saints @ Buccaneers, Texans @ Titans 4:25pm: 49ers @ Cardinals, Chiefs @ Broncos, Seahawks @ Rams, Chargers @ Raiders, Dolphins @ Jets

Bench Branch. I mean it. He's costing us points.

They just look exhausted.

That was an early flag, it was thrown with a second left. Making up for Baltimore in 2021?

I'm not a big play call complainer, but I don't get that play call.

#16 with the block!!! Ugliest looking block I've ever seen.... but a block!

I don't think you can change anything on offense. Seven more may not be enough.

NO GOOD

Dan Campbell nearly tackled Amik to stop him from drawing a penalty lol

Only the 5th 3rd down of the game for SF.

Actually decent coverage by Iffy on that, just dropped it in the bucket.

The pass rush literally looks like they don't know what to do when the offensive line gives them a free shot at Purdy.

Good decision, good play call, hell yes. You can't settle for 3 with this defense.

That's a frustrating 2nd and goal. Goff had all day and all night.

They showed him on the sideline with a bandaid on his face. Probably just a rotation thing.

Feels like the dozens of runs up the middle are setting up a flea flicker soon.