I can tell that people are waiting and expecting to shit on the Lions. And that's fine.
I certainly didn't expect them to win one. Much less two playoff games this year. Nor am I expecting them to beat San Francisco next week.
I'll just say for a team that has made minimal improvements roster-wise after the previous season, the fact they are even in this position is wild to me. Their defense has been without their second best pass rusher all season(he was still out today) while only making three free agent signings to arguably their weakest side of the ball.
Gardner-Johnson was their high profile guy and he was hurt in week two. Only to return in week 17 or 18. Mosley was slotted in to be their other starting CB and he tore his ACL in his first game. Sutton has thankfully been available all year. Their other starting CB(the one who was going to be replaced by Mosley) got injured in practice and was played on IR before the playoffs. Making a guy they signed off another's practice squad has been starting at the other CB since the last week or two of the season.
Offense has been pretty much the same after swapping out both their starting RB's and trading Hockenson to Minnesota last season. Those holes were filled by two draft picks and a RB FA from Chicago.
I know they have a chance next week. But I'm just enjoying the ride. I find it amazing that they have gone this far, without drastic changes, after starting the season so poorly the year before. Just have to continue building on it next season.
Could be worse. At least they're not Dallas.