Lions’ mesmerizing atmosphere was everything Jets, Giants wish for
So, I took a road trip this weekend to cover an NFL playoff game in Detroit, a city positively starved for a winner with its team one of only four in the league thats never made it to a Super Bowl.
The Lions hadnt won two games in one postseason since 1957 and they accomplished that with Sundays 31-23 divisional playoff victory over the Buccaneers at Ford Field to advance to the NFC Championship against the 49ers Sunday in Santa Clara, Calif.
That victory leaves Detroit one win away from getting to its first-ever Super Bowl.
I walked away from Sunday impressed with everything I saw of the Lions, who are difficult to root against for a lot of reasons, beginning with their impossibly authentic head coach Dan Campbell to their discarded and dismissed quarterback Jared Goff to a locker room with a perfect blend of humble veterans and exuberant youngsters.
The Lions, put simply, are likable and relatable. Theyre not a cocky bunch who preen and thump their chests in front of the TV cameras. The Lions represent the hunger and humility of the city in which they play.
7The Lions, in the NFC Championship game after their win Sunday, have become a likeable and relatable team. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
7Aidan Hutchinson reacts after the Lions defeated the Buccaneers in the NFC divisional round. APThese elements were all on display in Detroits most important victory in some six decades on Sunday.
But, above all of those things, what I took away most from the day was Ford Field and how it looked and sounded, which was ear-splitting loud, electric and oozing with appreciation and passion.
I found myself mesmerized with atmosphere envy.
This is what NFL football should look like for a big home game.
7Fans shout during the Lions’ win against the Buccaneers on Sunday. AP
7Josh Reynolds celebrates a touchdown with Lions fans during Sunday’s divisional round game. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ConThis is what Ive been missing at the Giants and Jets games Ive been covering for the past decade-plus as both teams have struggled to find relevance while their fans have become discouraged and apathetic.
This is what its supposed to look like in an NFL stadium on a game day with massive consequence to the result.
Keep up with the most important sports news
Sign up for Starting Lineup for the biggest stories.
Thanks for signing up
Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address.
By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Never miss a story.
Check out more newslettersThe Jets have won 41 games since 2016, havent been to the playoffs since the 2010 season and last hosted a playoff game in 2002. The Giants have won 37 games since the 2017 season and havent hosted a playoff game since the 2011 season.
These have been some long, cold, lonely Januarys at MetLife Stadium.
This is why the atmosphere at Ford Field stood out so much on Sunday, because it was such a stark contrast to the Giants and Jets games Ive been covering and it made me wonder why we cant have nice things.
It, too, drew me in to take a closer look at how these Lions have been constructed, starting with their hiring of general manager Brad Holmes to hiring Campbell and the players with which theyve filled their impressive roster.
Evident in this Lions run and highlighted by Sundays win is how good their offensive line is, anchored by right tackle Penei Sewell, the teams first-round pick in 2021, center Frank Ragnow (in his sixth year in Detroit), left tackle Taylor Decker and right guard Graham Glasgow (both in their eighth year with the team).
Then theres the way the Lions have built this roster through the draft.
Their 2021 draft class included Sewell, receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, linebacker Derrick Barnes, safety Ifeatu Melifonwu and defensive tackle Alim McNeill.
7Amon-Ra St. Brown was one of the Lions’ selections in the 2021 NFL Draft. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ConSewell and St. Brown are All-Pros. St. Brown had eight catches for a team-leading 77 yards on Sunday, including his 9-yard game-sealing touchdown reception that gave Detroit a 31-17 led with 6:22 remaining. Barnes made the interception of Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield with 1:33 remaining that clinched the victory. Melifonwu was tied for the team lead with nine tackles and he had 1.5 sacks.
The Lions 2023 draft class included running back Jahmyr Gibbs, Jack Campbell, tight end Sam LaPorta and cornerback Brian Branch.
Gibbs rushed for 74 yards on nine carries and gave the Lions a 24-17 lead Sunday when he scored on a 31-yard run in the fourth quarter. LaPorta led the Lions in receptions with nine for 65 yards. Branch was tied for the team lead in tackles with nine, had two tackles for a loss, and a sack.
7The Lions haven’t relied on flashy free agents to build Dan Campbell’s roster. Getty ImagesGoff, after the game Sunday, marveled at how methodically the Lions have been built and how they havent gone out of their way to reach on flashy, expensive free-agent signings.
Its not like weve added a ton, Goff said. Its a lot of the same guys, and Brad and Dan have been very intentional about bringing in those type of guys who can handle moments like Sunday and moments like last week and ups and downs of a season. Its all been intentionally done by them and were not here by accident.
No, theyre not.
7Jared Goff said the Lions are “not here by accident.” Getty ImagesThis is a Lions team thats playing with a purpose, with an attitude and with a swagger that makes it anything but a long shot to take down the No. 1 seeded 49ers and get to its first Super Bowl.
The Lions, like the atmosphere in their rabid building on Sunday, are what its supposed to look like.
How many decks are used in poker?
In most popular poker variants, such as Texas Hold'em and Omaha, a standard deck of 52 playing cards is used. Each deck contains four suits (hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades) and consists of 13 ranks (Ace, 2 through 10, and the face cards: Jack, Queen, and King).
What is the bonus code for WPT Global Poker 2023?
The best bonus code for WPT Global is WPT777. By entering the bonus code, players will get a welcome bonus 100% up to $1,200 on the first deposit. The minimum deposit is $20.
What is the best WPT Global bonus code?
Use the WPT Global bonus code WPT777 when registering to get a 100% deposit bonus up to $1200 plus a $100 No Deposit poker bonus.
