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The Detroit Lions are within the NFC title sport. No, it’s not a dream, it’s actuality and so they’ve received people believing. Detroit can flip the web page, starting a new chapter of their historical past. Showing of their first Tremendous Bowl and beating one of many NFL’s most profitable franchises to advance can be an additional feather within the Lions’ cap.
Traditionally, Detroit has been a kind of organizations which have had the phrase “cursed” hooked up to them. Even when drafting all-time nice gamers resembling Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson, and even Matthew Stafford, Detroit often discovered a strategy to bungle issues. The Lions have performed in a single championship sport through the Tremendous Bowl period and that was early in Sanders’ profession.
Detroit was victorious in 4 NFL Championship video games, however for the reason that NFL/AFL merged and started the Tremendous Bowl, the Lions have been an afterthought. It was solely a few years in the past that this was nonetheless a three-win group in head coach Dan Campbell’s first season. This is a corporation that has had a season the place they didn’t win a sport. Profitable within the NFL isn’t straightforward, however even the worst groups have lucked right into a win or two.
Now the Lions are on the different finish of the spectrum and among the many ultimate 4 left standing with an opportunity to seem within the franchise’s first Tremendous Bowl. From younger to previous, irrespective of the age, Lions followers keep in mind all of the unhealthy instances as a result of there haven’t been plenty of good. That’s not meant as a slight, it’s the reality. The Carolina Panthers, who’ve been round solely since 1995, have performed in additional NFC title video games (three) than the Lions, and two Tremendous Bowls.
A really formidable foe
Nonetheless, it gained’t be straightforward touring to the Bay Space to face San Francisco. Whereas all of the constructive historical past is on the 49ers’ aspect, they’ve had hassle getting over the hump and profitable Tremendous Bowl No. 6. Since 2011, the Niners have performed on six championship Sundays and superior to 2 Tremendous Bowls, dropping each. So, they’ve been extremely profitable, however haven’t skilled the final word success of profitable a Lombardi trophy for the reason that Nineties.
For the Lions, it’s been about firsts. Once you’re a corporation that hasn’t had a lot success, nearly the whole lot is a primary. The Lions held their first house playoff sport in a long time on Tremendous Wild Card Weekend, and the primary ever (for the group) at Ford Discipline.
When these alternatives come about, you’ve received to take benefit of them. Many groups and gamers have had magical seasons and assumed they’d all the time make it again. Have a look at the Eagles making the Tremendous Bowl final 12 months and falling aside this season and getting bounced within the wild-card spherical. Nothing is assured, so that you’ve received to grab the second.
Corridor of Famer Dan Marino led the Dolphins to the Tremendous Bowl in his second season as a professional. Everybody simply assumed due to his expertise that they’d be again after getting waxed by the Niners. Marino and the Dolphins superior to some extra AFC title video games, however by no means appeared in one other Tremendous Bowl. This momentum can’t be taken as a right irrespective of how gifted the group.
Detroit is the clear underdog in opposition to the 49ers, however none of that issues as soon as they hit the sector. It’s cliché, however you’ve received to depart all of it on the sector. As a lot as this squad has improved below Campbell, there’s no assure they’ll be within the ultimate 4 once more subsequent season. Everybody was relying on a rematch between SF and Philly not too way back. The Eagles and all their followers can be watching from house on Sunday, like the remainder of us. The Lions’ future is in entrance of them now and it’s time for them to make historical past.
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