football this weekend

[edm]

Well, I might as well put my 2 cents worth in on the rumor that Harbaugh will coach U of M. As I've expressed many times before, U of M will pay "any price" to win at football. 48 million to coach 4 years at U of M is beyond belief. U of M will have the most expensive coach in the Big 10. This is why college football is more important than getting an education at these schools.

[Denny]

I am putting out my UM flag for the first time in a very long time for both today and tomorrow in the hopes that the news stories and rumors are true that Michigan got their Wolverine man and he is coming home! If the news is true, then former coach Bo can now rest in peace knowing that the program hopefully is in good hands and only a matter of time before it is restored to its past glories! Now for our Lions, I think it is a matter of which team can run with the football today and pass the best. I see the Pack doing better on both issues as they have a great running game and Jordy Nelson is great in the passing game. The other questions are "Can Detroit's Defense stop the run and get pressure on Aaron Rogers today?" They should be able to put some pressure on him but, just how much remains to be seen? Watch for the weather to see how it is and any wind as well today as that could be a factor also as far as the kicking game! My pick is the Pack and the final score will be the Pack 29 and the Lions 24. I am also predicting that the Lions will be in this game for most of the time and at the end, their QB in Matt Stafford will screw up and throw a costly INT pick that will seal it for the Pack. Should still be a fun game to watch and see on TV!

[c ships]

being a packer fan,this game will be tough.packers 21 lions 20

[garbear]

Didn't realize I posted twice about the Det./GB game. At least my guess on the score was the same in both posts:)
From what I'm reading online in both Detroit papers it sounds like Jim Harbaugh will be the next UM football coach. I know one shouldn't get their hopes up too high, I should know better at 62, but I'd like to see him take the job. I'm sure M has other options, but he would restore the Wolverines to past glories. Being the only michigan fan I know in Duluth, all I can say is I hope we won't be disappointed.

[garbear]

I've been a Lions fan since the days of Dick LeBeau, "Night Train" Lane, and Yale Lary. Hope they can win tomorrow, but I think the Packers are too strong at Lambeau. GB-35, Det.-14.

[Guest]

Just for discussion fun, the oddsshark site shows the Packers as being favored by anywhere between 7.5 to 9 points. The computer picks the final score as Green Bay 33, Detroit 25.9. (Like I said, it's a computer).

The temperature at game time will be in the low 20's.

For the record, the correct wording is that the Lions have not won in Wisconsin (not Green Bay) since 1991. The losses in 1992, 1993 and 1994 were all in Milwaukee.

[garbear]

I'd love to see the Lions win, but I have to go Green Bay-35 Detroit-14.

[Denny]

Merry Christmas to you as well Edm and a Happy, Healthy and Safe New Year to you as well. As for the Lions game an interesting stat is that they moved the original start time from 1 P.M. to now at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday. This could favor Green Bay for the fact that now, they will be playing during the coldest part of the day whereas if had been earlier this might have played into Detroit's hands as it would not have been so cold. As for my predictions sorry Lions fans but, you have to prove me wrong on Sunday and beat the Big Dog and the Big Boys to be one of them. They have not beaten the Pack in GB since 1991 and I don't see that changing anytime soon. Yeah I know the Lions are better than they've been the past few years but, numbers don't lie folks and they just are not an outdoor team and don't play well away from home and in the cold. Also the Lions play on turf at Ford Field whereas in GB, they are playing on a grass surface. My older brother thinks that it will be a close game and not a blowout as some are predicting.

[edm]

I'm like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a very healthy and Happy New Year. The weather in GB this Sunday looks to be in the 20's with no snow in the forecast. The Lions will be without their star center. I'm wondering what everyone thinks about this game ? Anyone giving odds on the game ?

[Denny]

Well give the Lions credit as it wasn't pretty but at least they did end up winning and beating the Bears in Chicago. Now it comes down to the Grande Finale and the Grandaddy of them all next week in Green Bay and Lambeau Field. A house of horror for our Lions to where they have not won since 1991. Even though those Lions beat the Bears, "Was I right gentleman in saying that it was not going to be easy and it would be tough and the fact the Lions are not built to play away from home and outdoors?" Their QB in Matt Stafford did not look good and struggled inspite the fact they won though. In order for the Lions to beat Green Bay next week, they have to play perfect football no mistakes as in turnovers or stupid costly penalties. Also, they have to hope and pray that the Packers and Aaron Rogers has an off week similar to what the Bills did to them last week. Even if the Lions are at home during the playoffs, they won't get the top seed as that will probably go to Seattle and right now I wouldn't want to travel there and have to play them right now as they look better than last year's team!

[mopar tim]

Well Gentlemen, one more to go and the Lions will be a top seed with a home game. Not the greatest showing but right now winning is the goal regardless of how it's done. On a bad note though it looks like Raiola will most likely get some type of reprimand.

[edm]

Playoffs - yup playoffs ! The Lions are in the playoffs. I've been a Lions fan for over thirty years and this is fantastic news. Sure they looked bad against the Bears but, they won. They are tied with G B for first place. Next weekend in G B will be a real treat for Lions fans who have suffered years upon years of cheering for their team only to see the Lions finish way behind other teams and finish at the bottom in their division. I for one applaud their effort for a terrific season. Just what Detroit needs !

[Denny]

Well the Lions have done it and are in the playoffs and they didn't even have to play a game yesterday and beat Chicago in order to get in. It just so happens that the Redskins upset the Eagles and that allowed for the Lions to get into the Playoffs. I hope though that this isn't a bad omen of things to come for the Lions and that they end up losing in Chicago and Green Bay and finish at 10-6 and don't win the division! Sometimes when a team clinches early they tend to not play hard and play to win and they can end up by losing a few games. I hope that doesn't happen to the Lions as they have had too good a season to start blowing up now! They will have a tough road though ahead in the playoffs as far as team they have to face meaning Green Bay and Seattle. The Lions will more than likely have to travel and play at one of those two sites unless they travel to Arizona but, even at that they lost there once in the season. If they have to travel to Dallas, I don't know how they would fare against the Cowboys as they are doing very well also. Will be interesting to see how the Lions do this year though once the playoffs start. It sure will be fun watching them as this is the first time since 2011 that the Lions have made it to the playoffs!

[garbear]

Denny-You are correct if the Lions beat the Bears. Hopefully they can. I get together with my family here in Duluth on Sunday for our Christmas. They are all Vikings fans, so they could care less if the Lions win. If they lose to the Bears I won't hear the end of it.

[Denny]

I agree with garbear's comments as I think that it is great as well of everyone's optimism on the Lions and their last two remaining games. Granted the Lions have been exciting this season with their 10-4 record and drive to a championship. However, facts and the numbers "do not lie as the Lions road record is 3-3 compared with their home record of 7-1." Based off of those numbers, it is quite clear and obvious Detroit plays better at home then outdoors even though there are some teams this year worse than the Lions have been. The weather factor will be a huge difference maker in the next two games for the Lions since they play outdoors in both Chicago and Green Bay. You never know what the weather could be like in Green Bay and Lambeau this time of year! It will be fun to watch how the Lions finish down the stretch. If they can beat the Bears on Sunday, I think they will automatically get into the playoffs this year.

[garbear]

I love all the optimism, but the Lions haven't won in Green Bay since before Favre was a qb in Green Bay. Hope all the "experts" are right.

[mopar tim]

Fear not fellow Lions fans this is not the same old Lions team we have seen in the past. This is the new look Lions have faith and they will win. After what I have seen from the Bears this year i'm not even worried about them at all even outdoors. I give the Lions the edge in the Packers game they just are not that good. I guess we will find out in a few short weeks where this goes so good luck to the Detroit Lions on there quest for a Championship.

[Denny]

I agree with edm's comments about the Bears as they looked just absolutely awful and terrible last night. They got demolished by the Saints and Cutler got boos big time from the crowd. At one point, the Bears tried a fake punt and failed miserably. The had 6 guys on the line of scrimmage a penalty there, then they also had only 10 guys lined up another violation. Unless the Lions do something just absolutely stupid or make dumb penalties next Sunday, I would think they should be able to handle the Bears with no problems at all depending on the weather as far as cold and wind. I agree with everyone else as far as "This is going to come down to the final game between the Lions and the Pack at Lambeau!" Sorry to say, I just don't see the Lions getting past the Pack at Lambeau as they usually are good and tough to beat at home. Also off subject but, forget Les Miles coming to UM as he has told LSU that he plans to stay there and has no interest in the UM job. Also, if anyone had any thoughts of Jon Gruden leaving the ESPN TV booth forget that as he just signed a deal through 2021 with them. Just my thoughts only but, I say Harbaugh goes to the Raiders maybe in 2015 as they plant to make "major changes next year according to their owner!" That almost sounds like "it's only a matter of time before they land Harbaugh in the Black Hole in Raider Nation next year!"

[edm]

I agree with Denny - the Lions do not play well outside. But, the Bears do not play well inside or outside. Next week should be a win for the Lions. Once again, the defense carried the Lions this past Sunday. Without Suh leading the defense they would have suffered a loss. The Packers game will be most interesting. It all depends on the Pack's ability to move the ball. If Rogers has a bad day ( as he has had in the past ) the Lions could win. One factor that could play into the Lions- Packers game is the weather. We have not seen a game this year played in deep snow !

[garbear]

Glad the Lions won, but they were extremely lucky the Vikings kicker had an off day. Wouldn't surprise me if the Lions lost to the Bears before they get to that final game against the Pack.