This is the first time I've seen this field since Thanksgiving Day when I thought at the half that the Lions were going to upset the Packers since Detroit had out gained Green Bay 202-86 in the first half and were only down 7-0. But, the Packers drove the length on the first possession of the second half, the drive culminating in that Ndamukong Suh stomp/Personal Foul which enabled Green Bay to continue their drive and score a TD when they'd been stopped on 3rd and a goal and were certainly going to bring their field goal unit onto the field. Things went downhill from there in what wound up a 27-15 Packers win.
Ten wins almost always get you into the playoffs. To get to 10, Detroit must win three of their last four. And even then they could get edged out. Heading into today's game, the Lions are the #7 seed in a race in which only the top 6 make it. At 7-5, Detroit has the same record as the Bears and the Falcons. But Chicago is the #5 seed and the Falcons are # 6. Here's why:
*Chicago finishes ahead of Detroit based on conference record (6-3 to the Lions' 5-5).
*Chicago is the No. 5 seed ahead of Atlanta based on head to head (1-0).
*Atlanta is the No. 6 seed ahead of Detroit based on head to head (1-0).
*Atlanta is the No. 6 seed ahead of Detroit based on head to head (1-0).
I think it's going to come down to Detroit and Chicago and both teams still have to play at 12-0 Green Bay. The combined record of the remaining opponents for the Lions and the Bears is identical: 26-22. Atlanta has the easiest remaining schedule with their opponents a combined 20-28. However, Atlanta has to play at New Orleans so who's to say they won't lose that one meaning the best they could do is finish 10-6, too. But that's the problem. Even if the Lions finish 10-6, they will still miss out if both the Bears and Falcons do too. So, you Lions fans, it's not enough just to root for the Lions, you must also root against the Bears and the Falcons. The Bears are at 7-5 Denver today, the Falcons are at 4-8 Carolina.
Minnesota RB Adrian Peterson will not play today. And even at this late moment, under 20 minutes to kick, we do not know if Vikings QB Christian Ponder (crossword clue: Jesus Contemplater?) will be able to start due to injury. We will, of course, keep all y'all updated...
We've had some computer problems but it looks like we are back now...at least for now. Let's bring you up to speed. In less than ten minutes (9:06 elapsed to be precise) the Lions have taken a 21-0 lead over the Vikings. Detroit has run 11 plays on offense and have scored 21 points. On the Vikings first play from scrimmage, at their own 7, QB Christian Ponder had the ball slapped out of his hand by Cliff Avril and Stephen Tulloch recovered in the end zone for his first career TD. 7-0, Detroit. On the Vikings second possession, Ponder was intercepted by Alphonso Smith of Detroit and the Lions turned that turnover into points too, when Matthew Stafford hit a streaking Titus Young down the near left sideline for a 57-yard TD. 14-0, Detroit. Stafford made it two TD passes in the first quarter the next time Detroit got the ball when he hit Brandon Pettigrew from 17 and with just under 6 minutes left in the quarter, the Lions had a 21-0 lead. The Vikings have just driven down the field to score and make it 21-7 and we still have almost two minutes left in the quarter. What a start we are off to here.
Halftime and we've been having a heck of a time with the internet here this afternoon. Let's get caught up on what has transpired so far. First of all, it's 31-14 Detroit. Minnesota turned it over 4 times in the half and the Lions got 24 pts off the turns. Alphonso Smith had two intercepts in the half, returning one for a score. Matthew Stafford threw 2 TD passes. Christian Ponder has 2 TD passes for Minnesota--the only reason they remain in the game at all. Word at the half is that Carolina has the lead over Atlanta, which is great news for Detroit. Remember, the Lions, Falcons and Bears are all 7-5. Only two of the teams will make the post season. If current scores stand up, and if the Bears can lose at Denver, Detroit will have a one-game lead in the playoff chase. Second half just underway...
We're into the 4th, now and the Lions lead 34-21, but haven't put them away just yet with 12:09 to go. Joe Webb is in at QB for the Vikes and all he did was tear off a 65 yard scramble for a TD, probably the longest QB scramble I've ever seen. The Detroit secondary continues to rack up injuries, and there is some cause for concern here. Meanwhile, ATL has come back to lead CAR 24-23.
We've had some computer problems but it looks like we are back now...at least for now. Let's bring you up to speed. In less than ten minutes (9:06 elapsed to be precise) the Lions have taken a 21-0 lead over the Vikings. Detroit has run 11 plays on offense and have scored 21 points. On the Vikings first play from scrimmage, at their own 7, QB Christian Ponder had the ball slapped out of his hand by Cliff Avril and Stephen Tulloch recovered in the end zone for his first career TD. 7-0, Detroit. On the Vikings second possession, Ponder was intercepted by Alphonso Smith of Detroit and the Lions turned that turnover into points too, when Matthew Stafford hit a streaking Titus Young down the near left sideline for a 57-yard TD. 14-0, Detroit. Stafford made it two TD passes in the first quarter the next time Detroit got the ball when he hit Brandon Pettigrew from 17 and with just under 6 minutes left in the quarter, the Lions had a 21-0 lead. The Vikings have just driven down the field to score and make it 21-7 and we still have almost two minutes left in the quarter. What a start we are off to here.
Halftime and we've been having a heck of a time with the internet here this afternoon. Let's get caught up on what has transpired so far. First of all, it's 31-14 Detroit. Minnesota turned it over 4 times in the half and the Lions got 24 pts off the turns. Alphonso Smith had two intercepts in the half, returning one for a score. Matthew Stafford threw 2 TD passes. Christian Ponder has 2 TD passes for Minnesota--the only reason they remain in the game at all. Word at the half is that Carolina has the lead over Atlanta, which is great news for Detroit. Remember, the Lions, Falcons and Bears are all 7-5. Only two of the teams will make the post season. If current scores stand up, and if the Bears can lose at Denver, Detroit will have a one-game lead in the playoff chase. Second half just underway...
We're into the 4th, now and the Lions lead 34-21, but haven't put them away just yet with 12:09 to go. Joe Webb is in at QB for the Vikes and all he did was tear off a 65 yard scramble for a TD, probably the longest QB scramble I've ever seen. The Detroit secondary continues to rack up injuries, and there is some cause for concern here. Meanwhile, ATL has come back to lead CAR 24-23.
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