NFL: Lions Play Santa Claus To The NFL And Their Fans

As a Detroit Lions fan for the last 30 years or so, I find it a little hard to admit that the Detroit Lions helped NFL fans everywhere with their loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday. After all, who would you rather watch, the Detroit Lions or the St. Louis Rams?

Yes, I know, that is a stupid question.

Of course, when the day started, I thought the Lions should win with relative ease. Since they are playing in their own backyard against a Bears team that is 4-11 for the year, how can the Lions lose? Well, if you have been a fan of the Detroit football team for as long as I have, you realize that there is always the possibility of losing to an inferior team, and the Lions did just that on Sunday.

Their offense is horrendous. I have to wonder how they were even in such a position to make the playoffs. Charlie Batch gets hurt every year and, instead of improving, regresses. He has very little mobility, lacks consistency, and can not lead a team to the playoffs let alone the Super Bowl. But it is not all his fault. The Lions decided that they should pass against the Bears. They got away from the run which is key to winning games in the NFL. The defense didn't handle the inept offense of the Bears very well either. Gary Moeller was outcoached in this game also.

Does this bother the average Lions fan? I would hope not. We have seen the Lions go to the playoffs many times in the past, only to lose and look terrible doing it. Now, the NFL fans get to watch a much better team in the St. Louis Rams try to go to the Super Bowl and win it for the second year in a row. The Rams have a much better offense than the Lions, and the defense is just as good. They are a dangerous team. This Ram's team can easily beat any team in the NFC and go to the Super Bowl. Would the Lions have a chance similar to St. Louis? Every NFL fan knows that answer.

So, the Lions did the NFL and the networks a favor by losing. Personally, I am sick of watching the Detroit Lions getting booted in the playoffs by the first team they play. Now, I can actually sit back and enjoy a well played football game with legitimate NFL quarterbacks and offenses.

Although I am disappointed in the loss to the Bears, I can't help but be happy for the fans who have no loyalty to any team. They can watch the playoffs and enjoy some good football, which is not synonymous with the Lions.

Moeller has to dismantle this team, draft a new quarterback or get a free agent, and fire some coaches to get some fresh blood on both sides of the ball. Will he? I doubt it. The Lions have been floundering for years. Of course, they have made the playoffs now and again, but they have never been considered a serious contender for the Super Bowl. They did play in on NFC championship game about 10 years ago against a Washington Redskin club that totally outclassed them and eventually won the Super Bowl.

Congratulations St. Louis Rams and their fans. You deserve to be in the playoffs and have a legitimate chance to win the Super Bowl. Not only Ram fans, but NFL fans everywhere can be congratulated because they don't have to waste their time watching the boring and poor executing Lions try to play in the playoffs. Gary Moeller and the rest of the Detroit Lions, thank you for making these playoffs much more exciting by losing to a poor 4-11 team at your own home stadium. Happy Holidays to the whole Lion's family who I hope will be missing a few members when next season roles around.