Detroit Lions 2010 Schedule Preview: 16 Games, 16 Headlines (Part Four)

Week 14 in the NFL is a very different place outside of Detroit.

Typically, the focus in December throughout the NFL shifts to playoffs, first-round byes, home field advantage, divisional races, and Super Bowl favorites.

For Detroit Lions fans, it’s about salvaging respect, draft positioning, and snapping long-standing losing streaks. In other words, it’s about “next year.”

By Week 14, we’ve usually come to a near-consensus on which college player will be our draft-delivered savior next year.

That, or we’re shooting each other down about it because we can’t agree.  Regardless, though, we’re not talking about playoffs (and yes, we’ve all done the Jim Mora thing at one point).

If you ask me now, in June, a month before the start of training camp, whether it will be reasonable to think “playoffs” by this coming December, I will tell you:

No.

Over the last two seasons, the Lions have won an average of a game a year. Posting a non-losing season for the first time in a decade is a lofty enough goal.

Regardless, the last four weeks of media football coverage will be heavily shaped by which teams are in the playoff hunt. Which means most of the story lines I present here, while relevant, will likely end up buried in the shadow of season retrospective and future implications.

But that doesn’t make them any less important.

Especially since we probably won’t be talking about playoffs.

In case you missed them, try the first three parts of this series.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Week 14: Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions

"Packers Attempt Fifth-Straight Victory at Ford Field"

As stunning as it is that the Lions haven’t won a game at Lambeau Field since the year Brett Favre was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons, it’s also a little surprising that they haven’t beaten the Pack in Detroit (or at all, for that matter) since the opening game of 2005.

That means the last quarterback to beat the Packers and/or Brett Favre was Joey Harrington. I’ll give you a minute for that to sink in, then another for you to cringe.

Seriously though, while the Lions have not had particular success against any team, the Packers have recently held more of a total stranglehold against the Lions than anyone else.

If you need proof, look no further than last season where the Packers beat the Lions twice (again) by a combined 48 points, including an ugly, sloppy 26-0 shutout.

Why am I talking about this now? Because the only thing the media will have to discuss in this game is the Packers’ playoff picture and the Lions’ inability to notch a win against them.

The Lions will be playing this game as the last of a three-game home stand, so they at least have the advantage of the extra practice and rest that comes with not traveling.

Slight variations:

If the Lions lose the game at Lambeau in Week Four, the losing streak is that much more prominent, with the Packers winning the last 10 straight.

If the Lions win at Lambeau, this game will become a chance to sweep the season series with Green Bay for the first time since 1991.

Week 15: Detroit Lions at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

"Stafford, Freeman Face Off as Leaders of the Historically Futile"

Josh Freeman was the only one of the first-round quarterbacks last year that wasn't named the opening day starter for his team. Because of this and his draft position (17th overall), he found himself left out of the “Stafford vs. Sanchez” discussion.

However, Freeman earned the starting job in Tampa Bay by midseason, and made notable strides by season’s end. With a year’s experience under his belt and an opportunity to start from training camp, the former Kansas State standout could be poised for a breakout season.

Regardless of Freeman’s (or Stafford’s) performance in 2010, this game will be framed by their statuses as first round draft picks, and their teams’ historic statuses as winless teams (the 0-14 Bucs and 0-16 Lions).

What the story should be about is Ndamukong Suh vs. Gerald McCoy, a pair of defensive tackles from rival college teams, who went back-to-back in the draft at No.2 and No.3 overall, playing each other professionally.

If it were me writing the stories, that would be it. But this is the mainstream media and the NFL. If there’s a story involving quarterbacks, they will run it.

After all, who wants to read about a couple of 300-pound guys who work as part of a unit, when you can lavish praise and attention on the guy with the ball?

Week 16: Detroit Lions at Miami Dolphins

"Former Wolverines to Lead Dolphins Against Detroit Lions"

Chad Henne and Jake Long were quarterback and left tackle in 2007, during Lloyd Carr’s last year as the head coach of Michigan football.

Yes, that was the year they lost to Appalachian State, but it was also the last halfway-decent year of Michigan football we’ve seen since. Now, the two are reunited with one another as Miami Dolphins, and will lead the charge against the old hometown pro team.

Now, don’t expect the “hometown” angle to get too much play here, because even though Long lettered in three sports at Lapeer East High School in Lapeer, MI, Henne is originally from Pennsylvania.

Still, being former Wolverines (and as it stands now, a representation of better days in Michigan football), expect them to get a bit of play in the week leading up to this game.

Long also has a connection with Lions left tackle Jeff Backus, who is a former Wolverine himself.

Don’t expect much out of the Ikaika Alama-Francis connection. Though the Dolphins signed him in November of last year, if the Dolphins haven’t cut him by Week 16, they’re in some trouble.

Week 17: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions

“Detroit Lions Look to Play Spoiler to Favre(?) and the Vikings”

I know, I know. There is a LOT of conjecture involved there. But what do you want from me? It’s a Week 17 match up against the Vikings. Brett Favre is probably going to be back, and the Vikings are probably going to be in the playoffs already by this week.

It might even be conceivable that the Vikings avoid playing their starters in this game (though given the Vikings’ recent conference supremacy, they might be better served playing to win and maintaining that into next season).

Of course, what if I’m wrong? Maybe Favre stays retired. Maybe the Vikings aren’t in the playoff hunt. Maybe this game really means something to the Vikings in terms of playoff positioning (which would make playing "spoiler" actually mean something).

Ultimately, there will be two questions on everybody’s mind for this game. First, what does it mean in terms of playoff implications? And second, with a major lockout looming, will this be the last game the Lions play before 2012?

Who knows? All we can focus on in Detroit is beating the Vikings and building some momentum for next season, whether it exists or not.