MichiganCardinal

“WHERE WAS THIS THREE WEEKS AGO?” -Columbus households citywide

I think it would completely destabilize the Ohio State program if they fired Day. Delusional Bucknuts think the next Tressel or Meyer is just out there for the picking, because that’s what they’re used to. Career .900 coaches aren’t growing on trees. Truth is, there are a lot more Rich Rods and Brady Hokes out there than Ryan Days.

I’m a Cousins fan, and I think he could do pretty well in a better situation. At the same time, he’s 36. He shouldn’t need to be coach able to succeed.

I think tomorrow might be my Dan Miller game. I try to just listen to one a year. Better for the blood pressure, and he’s the best in the business. With the other two being Monday Night and at home, it’s probably my last realistic chance.

I thought it seemed odd to hire a career 17-31 coach as a retread. But what do I know.

The Rams pay Jonah Jackson $51 million and bench him by week 11. The Lions let Jackson walk and pick up a 6th round rookie who is climbing the depth chart despite having mono and being out for all of training camp.

Glasgow was questionable too. Mahogany may make his starting debut.

I don’t really understand why. Williams looks awful and McCaskey is one of the worst owners in the league. Feels like he’d be setup to be another three-and-done in Chicago. I would be hoping that the Cincinnati job opens up if I was Ben Johnson. Waiting on a golden goose like KC or Baltimore to open up isn’t the worst idea either, so long as he thinks he can keep this machine running in Detroit.

It's a little messier than that. Just because he's claimed doesn't mean he would sign with a team. He's 38, and his release is with the intent to sign with a contender. Who knows how liberal his definition of contender is though. I'm guessing he would have a list of 3-7 teams that he says "I'll go here," but it's not as if he's going to play for the Jaguars or Raiders if they are who claim him. If the Packers or Rams are not on his shortlist of teams he'll play for, it would be an exercise in futility to claim him just to prevent him from signing with the Lions, because he would have to take a spot on your 53, despite refusing to sign/play for you. That said, it would probably take some other contenders passing on him for him to reach the Lions, given they have one of the best records in the league.

Since the start of the 2022 season, the Lions are 35-16. The Bears are 14-34.

What looks like a bloodbath on first glance is a lot of veteran rest days upon closer examination.

I don’t think the Lions would rest players even if they had the 1-seed secured. The Vikings might if it’s the difference between 5-seed and 6-seed, going to Tampa or going to LA/Seattle.

Pretty sure Donald is under contract with the Rams for one more year. Since the trade deadline has long passed, he would have to be released and clear waivers.

vs. Setting: 12/22/2024 1:00pm EST on FOX Site: Soldier Field in Chicago, IL Weather: 30° High / 22° Low, 8% chance of snow, 10mph wind Opening Spread: Lions -6.5 All-Time Series Record: Bears lead, 105-79-5 Last Meeting: 11/28/2024, Lions won 23-20 Chicago Bears (4-10) Interim Head Coach: Thomas Brown (1st Season: 0-3) Projected Starting QB: Caleb Williams (1st Season: 4-10) Last Game: 30-12 L @ Minnesota Vikings (12-2) Looking Ahead to Week #17: Thursday Night v. Seattle Seahawks (8-6) Your Detroit Lions (12-2) Head Coach: Dan Campbell (4th Season: 36-28-1) Projected Starting QB: Jared Goff (9th Season: 78-52-1) Last Week: 48-42 L v. Buffalo Bills (11-3) Looking Ahead to Week #17: Monday Night @ San Francisco 49ers (6-8) Elsewhere in the NFL Primetime: Broncos @ Chargers (TNF), Buccaneers @ Cowboys (SNF), Saints @ Packers (MNF) Saturday: Texans @ Chiefs (1:00pm), Steelers @ Ravens (4:30pm) 1:00pm: Giants @ Falcons, Cardinals @ Panthers, Titans @ Colts, Rams @ Jets, Eagles @ Commanders, Browns @ Bengals 4:05/4:25pm: Patriots @ Bills, Vikings @ Seahawks, Jaguars @ Raiders, 49ers @ Dolphins

I still think the Vikings lose one to the Seahawks or Packers (probably Packers), which - if the Lions can beat the Bears and Niners - sets up a scenario in the final week where the Lions have clinched the division, but need a win for the one-seed (assuming the Eagles beat the Commies and Cowboys), while the Vikings are already locked into the 5-seed or 6-seed. Which means they may rest some starters.

Love that man. Also love the quick reactions by the host to censor his language. I nearly posted this yesterday for the first time since the 2022 bye week. The acorn this time is Josh Allen.

It's a numbering rule. If he's wearing an ineligible number but is lined up at an eligible position, he must report as eligible.

Or, alternatively, the Bears just suck.

But add Reader... Arnold > Sutton... Moseley/Vildor > Vildor... Branch and Kerby are both better this year than they were last year by every metric. Same with Paschal. Levi is doing well too. Tyson Alualu of all people was a leading contributor on that defensive line in the playoffs. Is it possible that this is the straw that broke the camel's back? Maybe. But 34-10 in their last 44, including playoffs, tells me that it's probably pretty unlikely that they just revert to mediocrity.

If I could give five reactions I would. Such a pity party in here for a 12-2 team.

The defense that played San Francisco last year is equal to or worse than the defense that will go into Chicago. The defense that played San Francisco last year played well enough to make the Super Bowl. The sky is not falling.

No one said it was going to be easy. Last year, we went into Dallas in week 17 and played a game on national television that we should have won. The defense let us down at points, we got robbed at the end. We were all angry, upset, disappointed, even hanging our heads. It would have been easy for the team to go all woe is me and fold it in for the season. They took that adversity and ate it for lunch. They'll do the same here. Lions will win the next three and get the first-round bye. I still think they will reach New Orleans too.

I'm interested to see the snap counts. I didn't expect the run defense to look so bad with Levi and Paschal back. I'm wondering if they were eased back into action, or if they just weren't at 100%. Even without Alim, Reader, Levi, and Paschal last week, or CDIII or Arnold a few weeks before that, they just weren't getting gashed like they were today. I think they'll bounce back, no matter who is healthy and who isn't.