Following a never-ending string of injuries, the Detroit Lions are once again in their most comfortable position: underdog. It never seemed right, let’s be honest, even though the team and supporters were a little ecstatic about being the front-runners and being referred to as America’s team. Since Dallas is already in the dustbin of America’s favourite teams, let Kansas City or Philadelphia be the country’s team. It’s okay that the Lions are Detroit’s team. They’re all about grit. Their purpose is to embody Detroit’s Blue Collar image.
Knowing that even Sunday’s Chicago Bears game is uncertain, it feels appropriate to be underdogs once more given the number of injuries. From here on, the squad will only put in more effort to win, and if they do, it will probably be by field goals or last-minute touchdowns. In order to make up for the defensive imbalance, the offence must also score a lot of points. In any case, if the club loses in the playoffs, supporters cannot consider the season a failure. For ardent supporters who never imagined this once-sorry team would be a Super Bowl contender, it has been an incredible run.
Although it’s only a sport, and a cruel one at that, this team has provided a welcome diversion from this year’s divisive politics and war, if only temporarily. It has also created a large family in the city and beyond, one that is emotionally invested in the team’s players, including Aidan Hutchinson, David Montgomery, and many others, and that worries and talks endlessly about their health. (Some fans should have that same concern for their own family members’ health.)
At a time when the community is in dire need of heroes, the players, coach Dan Campbell, and general managers Brad Holmes have emerged as heroes. The Lions are already victorious at 12–2. This season, nothing they do will alter that. The fans are also winners since they witnessed some incredible football this season, in addition to Dan Campbell’s feisty and entertaining post-locker room interviews. Underdog is perfectly acceptable to both the athletes and the fans. Being the underdog is actually how we roll best as humble Detroiters.