Detroit Lions: Should Fans Temper Their Expectations?

The Detroit Lions have become the darlings of the NFL just after three weeks. 

A team that was picked to improve in the preseason is now being talked about as a shoe-in for the playoffs. Should fans of this team believe the ever-growing hype?

With the product on the field, it's sure hard not to. I mean, the Lions have it all.

Starting with an intelligent and charismatic coach in Jim Schwartz. The coach has altered the direction of a franchise so dramatically that he should be the favorite to win coach of the year. 

With the help of general manager Martin Mayhew and team president Tom Lewand, Schwartz rebuilt an inferior product by drafting NFL-ready talent and making shrewd free agent signings. 

Not only has he amassed amazing talent, but he has instilled in them a winning attitude not seen in Motown in a long time. 

In addition to a vastly improved front office and coaching staff, the Detroit Lions have talent on the field that can actually compete in the NFL. 

Hard to believe it took this long, but the proof is in the pudding. 

Everyone talks about Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson and Ndamukong Suh. True, the Lions would not be nearly as good without these players, but it is "the other guys" that complete the puzzle of success. 

Players like Tony Scheffler and Nate Burleson get less notoriety. Yet, they are able to step up and make plays when "Megatron" Johnson is double-covered.

On defense, Louis Delmas and DeAndre Levy have helped solidify the secondary and linebacker corps. With free agent signees Stephen Tulloch and Jason Durant, the Lions' defense has transformed from soft to a brick wall.

So those are the reasons fans have a pie-in-the-sky attitude about the Lions. 

To be honest, the Lions may very well accomplish all that is being predicted about them, but the fans of the Detroit Lions are a unique bunch. They really need to proceed with caution regarding their expectations and here's why.

Remember 2007? The Detroit Lions started the year 6-2.  Now before you even say it: I know that was a very different team.

They didn't have the talent that these 2011 Lions have. But the point is, in the NFL, anything can happen. People were saying that 2007 team was vastly improved and gave them a chance at the playoffs too.

Detroit fans were as giddy as schoolgirls at a NKOTB concert. Sorry, I'm dating myself but you get the point. 

During the second half of the season the bottom fell out and that team was revealed for who they really were: The Lions were below average team who caught some breaks and played above themselves for eight games.

Now I'm not saying this current Lions are all of a sudden going to lose six straight games. I will repeat, this is the NFL, anything can happen. Balls can start bouncing the other way. Injuries can pile up. Little mistakes can be the difference between a win or a loss. 

Still not buying what I'm selling? Take the 2010 San Diego Chargers for example.

By all accounts, this was one of the best teams in the NFL last year. The Chargers had the No. 1-ranked offense and defense. However, they missed the playoffs.

Why? Two reasons. 

They were ravaged by injuries and their special teams were horrible. You'd think they could overcome those things with such a dominating offense and defense wouldn't you? Not so. They were eliminated by the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 16.

Again, my point is not that the Detroit Lions are not as good as the media and fans have built them up to be. My point is that a lot of factors go into having a great season. It's a long season and there are a lot of obstacles to overcome. 

It basically boils down to this.

If the New England Patriots started the season 3-0 and their fans were talking about a Super Bowl, I'd have no issue with it. But Patriot fans have been spoiled. They're resilient. If the Patriots have a bad year, which they might, the fans have 10 years of unequaled success to fall back on.

But we're talking about Detroit Lions fans here.

These are a vulnerable group of people. You might say they've been traumatized. They've become giddy with hope before and had their hearts ripped out.

If the Lions happen to lose to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, I can guarantee there will be an audible groan heard for miles and that groan will be the collective fan base of Detroit saying, "Same old Lions."

But here is some breaking news: The Lions will lose this season and it's inevitable. 

That is why fans need to keep their expectations in check.

The Detroit Lions will not go undefeated, so people should prepare for a loss at some point.  Maybe even two, or three, or four. In doing so, fans will be able to cope with a loss in realistic fashion. 

Good teams lose every week in the NFL, even great teams. The Lions are somewhere in between good and great right now. Just be happy with that. Take each week as it comes. Rest easy knowing that your team is loaded with young exciting players. Don't let the intoxication of hope cloud your judgment. 

By keeping yourself firmly grounded in reality there is a much better chance your expectations will be met or even exceeded. Now for Lions fans, I know that will be a welcomed change.