Detroit Lions: Why Ndamukong Suh's Suspension Could Be a Blessing in Disguise

Really, after Thanksgiving it felt like the Detroit Lions had almost nothing to be thankful for.

A loss knocking them to the very edge of the playoff picture.

Injuries to key players on both sides of the field.

And, looming over all of this, a suspension looming over their biggest defensive superstar in Ndamukong Suh.

Yes, coming into tonight's game against the New Orleans Saints, the Lions have a lot of problems to overcome, many of them of their own doing. But, while this game was always going to be a difficult one for Detroit to win, it felt like Suh's suspension put it completely out of reach.

With a damaged secondary and less pressure on the front line against Drew Brees, in the Superdome, what chance do they have?

And that, believe it or not, is the blessing in disguise lurking beneath the ugly, ugly picture.

All season long, the Lions have thrived when pushed into the deepest, darkest corners. When everyone counts them out, this team has rallied beyond all expectations.

Somehow, when the going gets tough, Detroit continually gets tougher. It's almost been a parable for the city they represent. They've certainly had their failings—many, many failings—but they’ve managed to surpass them more often than not.

The thing that gets overlooked with Suh sitting out two weeks is that the defensive line is Detroit’s deepest position. Yes, Suh anchors that line, but he is not its only good player. Rookie Nick Fairley will likely take the majority of Suh’s reps and, while he isn’t as dominant as Suh, he’s likely as good a replacement as you’re going to find.

Which gets us back to that mentality the Lions have displayed all season. When no one in their right minds believes they can win, they play their hardest. Losing Suh puts them in a hole and they know it.

They know no one expects them to win tonight. But tonight, their first Sunday Night Football game since 2005, presents them an opportunity.

An opportunity to show that they are not defined by Suh or his mistakes. An opportunity to show that their defense isn’t one player deep. An opportunity to show that, even beaten and battered, both by the media and by injuries, that they still have a fight in them.

And, most of all, an opportunity to beat the Saints, stun the country and move right back into the thick of the playoff hunt.

Are the Lions going to win tonight? They’re certainly not favored, nor should they be.

But only a fool counts out these Lions. They’ve made a habit of defying expectations.