It's Make or Break Time for the Detroit Lions

Well, we are 12 games into the NFL season, and the Detroit Lions are in the same spot as they were last year. Or are they?

Although the record is the same as it was last year at this time, 8-4, the mood seems almost totally opposite. The quarterback situation was a problem last year with Charlie Batch being hurt and Gus Frerotte playing very well. All the Lion fans know what happened as the year wound down to a close. Frerotte and the rest of the team did not play very well, tailspinning the last four games to finish 8-8. The Lions backed into the playoffs, not surprisingly, losing the first game.

So, why is there so much optimism this year by Lion fans? For one thing, Batch emerged as a leader last Thursday by taking hits and playing in pain. In response, the Lion fans cheered Batch, not for getting hurt and leaving the game as they did earlier in the year, but because he stayed in the game. He showed the blue collar city of Detroit how tough he really is. We have been waiting for this Charlie Batch all year. With the play calling on offense being executed as it should be, Batch looks like a man on a mission. I know I have written some not so complimentary things about Batch, but he really proved who he was all about on Thanksgiving Day. Hopefully, he can stay healthy enough to finish the season, so the Lions go into the playoffs on a roll.

The next three games will tell the difference between this Lions team and the team from last year. The schedule brings Charlie and the guys to Minnesota, New York (Jets), and Green Bay. These three games will make the Lions a special team or the same team as last year. I believe it is essential to win two of these three games to get this team going into the playoffs. The Lions have to show the NFL and their fans how they are different than the 8-4 they were last year. Personally, I believe they will do just that.

The main reason is Moeller. He has proven to be a good leader for this team, also. Right away, he said he believed in Batch and put his support behind him. When Batch makes mistakes throwing interceptions, Moeller tells him about it. If Batch gets too excited about a lead in the second quarter, Moeller tells him there is no need to be happy right now. The offense seems to be so much more open than last year. If the running game is not working, then the play calling is pass oriented.

Last year, the team kept running the backs into the line gaining nothing. It seemed as though the offense was trying to put a square peg into a round hole by running at the usual times and passing on third and long. That just will not work. Moeller has changed this play calling.

If the Lions can win two or three of the last four games, I look for them to challenge any team they may face in the playoffs. As I look at the standings, I see Philadelphia, New Orleans, and Minnesota in first place in their respective divisions. So, if the Lions can beat or at least give the Vikings a run for their money in Minnesota this Thursday, they seem poised to make a playoff run this year.

I realize that I may be eating the words I am typing right now. But at this time last year, I had little confidence that the Lions would even make the playoffs. Playoffs are great, but I think Moeller is shooting for something a little bigger. That is the difference I see in this team. Of course, I am realistic about the Lions future. Because I have seen it all before, four straight losses would not be too shocking. The next three game stretch, I believe, will make the Lions year, good or bad.