5 Lessons the 2011 Detroit Lions Could Learn from the 2010 Squad

On Dec. 8, 2010, the Detroit Lions were 2-10, officially eliminated from playoff contention and playing for nothing but pride and a lower draft pick. Shaun Hill and Drew Stanton combined to quarterback the last four games.

As of Dec. 8, 2011, the Detroit Lions are 7-5, control their own playoff destiny and Matthew Stafford is ready to start his 13th-straight ball game.

As you may remember, the 2010 Lions won their last four, a streak that set the table for moderately high expectations in 2011 (which have, in part, been met).

The 2011 Lions were expected to improve significantly and push for the playoffs, and it's hard to argue that's not exactly where they are.

But they're going to need to take some pointers from the team that won four straight last year if they want to make the playoffs this year.

Of course, that's not because the Lions need four straight this year—it's because they need three.

MoMo Will Produce When Everyone Else Is Hurt

Maurice Morris, at this point in his career, is an average running back on his best day.

The Lions' running game is generally worse than average. The same was true last year, when the Lions were missing Jahvid Best and Kevin Smith (hmmmmm...), and so the Lions were forced to use Morris in regular action.

Did he have incredible breakout performances? No. But they don't need them.

The Lions don't run the ball to win games, they run the ball to help the team pass the ball to win games.

Morris may not be flashy, and he won't lead the league (or perhaps even the team) in rushing. But the Lions are not at a point where they can expect Arian Foster-like performance every time out. They just need positive yardage in bite-size chunks.

Morris doesn't typically break 15-yard runs, but he also doesn't typically lose yardage.

Considering the Lions just came off a game in which every other offensive play seemed to be 3rd-and-18, that's a valuable trait.

Penalties Are Bad

In the last four games of the 2010 season, the Detroit Lions beat four different teams.

Not one of them was the Detroit Lions.

When the Lions beat the Packers last year, they racked up six penalties for 35 yards. How many of those do you think were dumb personal fouls?

It isn't as though the Lions' issues with penalties are something new. They had the same types of issues last year (perhaps to a lesser extent), but they were mostly able to bring them under control in December.

The result was four wins. The Lions would love to have a similar result this year, but first they need to get their heads back on straight.

But as long as we're talking about the Packers...

Don't Be Afraid of the Green Bay Packers

And here we see Drew Stanton putting the team on his back to beat the Green Bay Packers in 2010.

That is still the most recent time the Green Bay Packers lost a game started by Aaron Rodgers (even if he only played the first half).

Now, maybe I've gone too far. Without question, the entirety of the NFL should be afraid of the Green Bay Packers. But they should by no means play like it.

There is every reason the Lions should lose big to the Packers in Week 17. Let's start with the fact that they're a sharper, more disciplined team playing a better brand of football than just about everybody.

Then let's throw in a 20-year losing streak at Lambeau Field, the Packers' chase for 16-0 and the effect the cold weather will have on the passing game.

Intimidated yet? You should be. The Packers are likely to be double-digit favorites.

But that's why they play the games. The Lions looked to be on par with the Packers before discipline and injuries decimated any shot they may have had.

And where the Packers may be chasing perfection, the Lions may be chasing their first playoff berth in over a decade. If that doesn't focus the teams, nothing will.

Playing on the Road Is No Big Deal

The Lions won't be able to run off a two-game road winning streak in sunny Florida this year.

They have games in Oakland and Green Bay, against a couple of likely playoff teams (one's already in).

But last year, playing on the road was a death sentence. When the Lions went to Tampa Bay, it was to see if they would extend their NFL record 26-game road losing streak.

The streak ended there and actually spawned a six-game road winning streak that lasted until the Bears game in Week 10. The Lions are 4-2 on the road this year, actually better than their 3-3 home record.

So even though the Lions (of course) have their toughest remaining games on the road, that's no longer a reason to worry. These Lions seem to be able to play regardless of venue.

At the very least, whether they play well has nothing to do with venue.

Don't Worry About Injuries

Did I already mention that the Lions won their games last year without Matthew Stafford?

That Drew Stanton (but mostly the Lions defense) beat the Packers?

That the Lions played without Jahvid Best or Kevin Smith?

That they beat the Vikings without Calvin Johnson?

Don't give me Chris Houston and Lawrence Jackson. This team won football games last year with its third-string quarterback and running back, and one without its All-Pro wide receiver.

So this year, as the injuries start to pile up, there will be some who wish to use it as an excuse.

Do us a favor. Don't.

Every team in the NFL is dealing with key injuries. It's not slowing the Houston Texans down this year, it didn't affect the Lions' ability to win last year, so there's no reason it should affect the Lions this year.

In fact, considering the Lions' improved depth, and their health at the quarterback position, it should be even less of an issue.

Knock on wood.