December 15th at Detroit is the Game of the Year

[Mikie2times]

As many of you recall, we met last on Thanksgiving day, 2022. We won that game by the slimmest of margins 28-25 with Allen going nearly the length of the field in seconds to set up a game winning field goal. Detroit had us on the ropes in that game. We were totally off balance on defense often seeing Detroit run the ball on third down regardless of  distance. They went 3 for 3 that day on 4th down conversions. It had that "escape" feel when it was over. It likely only went that direction as a result of Detroit getting too conservative at the very end, opting for a field goal in 4th and short vs going for it with a first down likely ending the game. 

 

Since that game the collective record of the two teams is 55-18. Detroit has a 1.5 game edge on us since then. We will be facing elite coaching, excellent power run game and rightfully, the current Super Bowl favorite. We will have aspirations of the #1 seed on the line as Detroit is far and away the hardest game left on our schedule. Detroit is also becoming a rather difficult place to play. It's pretty simple to me, if we really want to know how this team stacks up for a potential Super Bowl run you will know after that game. They can throw haymaker and have balance like the Colts, Bengals, Titans, and Ravens in the past, teams that were able to knock us out when so few can. They're very hard nose. Houston just beat the living crap out of them and they found a way. 

 

As all this relates to the timing of the KC game, well, massive win, clearly. They either round into playoff form, at which point I will have a hard time drawing any conclusions from it or they won't, at which point we have bigger fish to fry. Detroit being the biggest if we can eventually make it that far. I just don't see anybody in the NFC pushing them. Another side note, being from that area, a Detroit & Buffalo Super Bowl would be epic. I also imagine it would be a massive ratings draw. Already getting chills for this one. 

[NickelCity]

Feels similar to the Chiefs game: a win would be great for the one seed and an absolute blast (and help Allen with the MVP), but it's a placeholder until the postseason (in this case...February). 

[Mikie2times]

1 minute ago, NickelCity said:

Feels similar to the Chiefs game: a win would be great for the one seed and an absolute blast (and help Allen with the MVP), but it's a placeholder until the postseason (in this case...February). 

Given the history of us and the Chiefs in the regular season and how they're playing right now, again, massive win and it is #2 in my book. but this Detroit game is at another level. With how hot they're and being the rightful Super Bowl favorites. A lot of people want to get a barometer on this team as we balance such a solid win vs the Baltimore/Houston debacles. To me, this is a true litmus test. In the end just another regular season game? Sure. But even a real negative nancy like me will start feeling the mojo if we can compete in that spot. I don't even think I need to see the W. I just want to play well. 

[QB Bills]

I'd be surprised if the Bills pull that one out. And I don't really care too much if they do. Just stay healthy going into the playoffs and beat those guys in New Orleans Feb 9.

[mannc]

17 minutes ago, Mikie2times said:

As many of you recall, we met last on Thanksgiving day, 2022. We won that game by the slimmest of margins 28-25 with Allen going nearly the length of the field in seconds to set up a game winning field goal. Detroit had us on the ropes in that game. We were totally off balance on defense often seeing Detroit run the ball on third down regardless of  distance. They went 3 for 3 that day on 4th down conversions. It had that "escape" feel when it was over. It likely only went that direction as a result of Detroit getting too conservative at the very end, opting for a field goal in 4th and short vs going for it with a first down likely ending the game. 

 

Since that game the collective record of the two teams is 55-18. Detroit has a 1.5 game edge on us since then. We will be facing elite coaching, excellent power run game and rightfully, the current Super Bowl favorite. We will have aspirations of the #1 seed on the line as Detroit is far and away the hardest game left on our schedule. Detroit is also becoming a rather difficult place to play. It's pretty simple to me, if we really want to know how this team stacks up for a potential Super Bowl run you will know after that game. They can throw haymaker and have balance like the Colts, Bengals, Titans, and Ravens in the past, teams that were able to knock us out when so few can. They're very hard nose. Houston just beat the living crap out of them and they found a way. 

 

As all this relates to the timing of the KC game, well, massive win, clearly. They either round into playoff form, at which point I will have a hard time drawing any conclusions from it or they won't, at which point we have bigger fish to fry. Detroit being the biggest if we can eventually make it that far. I just don't see anybody in the NFC pushing them. Another side note, being from that area, a Detroit & Buffalo Super Bowl would be epic. I also imagine it would be a massive ratings draw. Already getting chills for this one. 

I don’t think so.  Lions game will generate a lot of interest, but there is no rivalry and the game’s significance is nothing like the game against undefeated KC, a conference opponent.  Plus, Allen v Mahomes > Allen v Goff.

[Jauronimo]

I just hope everyone makes it out of that game with their joints intact. 

 

Detroit was built for blowing out hapless schmucks.  They've been in close games against every quality opponent.  I'm not ready to crown them.  

[That's No Moon]

27 minutes ago, NickelCity said:

Feels similar to the Chiefs game: a win would be great for the one seed and an absolute blast (and help Allen with the MVP), but it's a placeholder until the postseason (in this case...February). 

Agreed.  A win would be nice, but hopefully it's the hors d'oeuvre for this party.  Kind of reminds me of Bills/Giants in December 1990.  Timing is similar, situation is similar.

[julian]

22 minutes ago, Mikie2times said:

Given the history of us and the Chiefs in the regular season and how they're playing right now, again, massive win and it is #2 in my book. but this Detroit game is at another level. With how hot they're and being the rightful Super Bowl favorites. A lot of people want to get a barometer on this team as we balance such a solid win vs the Baltimore/Houston debacles. To me, this is a true litmus test. In the end just another regular season game? Sure. But even a real negative nancy like me will start feeling the mojo if we can compete in that spot. I don't even think I need to see the W. I just want to play well. 

They could play well and still lose by 2 scores in their building, that’s how good they’ve been especially at home.

 

 I’m chalking this up as the Bills last loss, get outta Detroit healthy finish 14-3 and get the 1 seed.

[That's No Moon]

13 minutes ago, mannc said:

I don’t think so.  Lions game will generate a lot of interest, but there is no rivalry and the game’s significance is nothing like the game against undefeated KC, a conference opponent.  Plus, Allen v Mahomes > Allen v Goff.

Ticket prices are higher than the KC game, that's for sure.  I looked yesterday just for giggles.  $450 to get in the door.

[BigDingus]

If we beat the Lions, it'll change all my expectations of this season.

 

Despite being 9-2, I still can't quite accept that they're genuine SB contenders. Call it being a lifetime Bills fan, always waiting for the other shoe to drop, but I've mainly been hoping to see Allen win an MVP & beat KC in the playoffs.

 

Super Bowl hasn't been something I truly thought was possible this season, but a win over the Lions & the Chiefs would certainly change that.

[Buffalo Ballin]

Please keep in mind that this game takes place at Detroit. It's going to be a tough close game.

 

If we win this game (doesn't matter the score), we're the 1B team in the NFL. The Chiefs is 1A since they're still the defending Champs with an incredible record, too.

 

We just don't want big injuries to our key players. (Knocks on Chevy Chase's "National Lampoon's Vacation" station wagon)

 

Let's not overlook the Niners and Rams upcoming on our schedule; one game at a time, boyz.

[GETTOTHE50]

The best way to beat the lions is to run the ball at will. Keep that offense off the field. 

[Kelly to Allen]

This game reminds me so frickin much of the 1990 game vs the Giants. A running team that's very physical on the road. It was a super bowl preview 

2 hours ago, BigDingus said:

If we beat the Lions, it'll change all my expectations of this season.

 

Despite being 9-2, I still can't quite accept that they're genuine SB contenders. Call it being a lifetime Bills fan, always waiting for the other shoe to drop, but I've mainly been hoping to see Allen win an MVP & beat KC in the playoffs.

 

Super Bowl hasn't been something I truly thought was possible this season, but a win over the Lions & the Chiefs would certainly change that.

 

I think they're going to put a beat down on the lions. 

[Sierra Foothills]

2024 Detroit Lions Schedule

 

Sunday Sep. 8 Los Angeles Rams W 26-20 (OT)

Sunday Sep. 15 Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 20-16

Sunday Sep. 22 at Arizona Cardinals W 20-13

Monday Sep. 30 Seattle Seahawks W 42-29

Sunday Oct. 6 BYE

Sunday Oct. 13 at Dallas Cowboys W 47-9

Sunday Oct. 20 at Minnesota Vikings W 31-29

Sunday Oct. 27 Tennessee Titans W 52-14

Sunday Nov. 3 at Green Bay Packers W 24-14

Sunday Nov. 10 at Houston Texans W 26-23

Sunday Nov. 17 Jacksonville Jaguars W 52-6

 

Sunday Nov. 24 at Indianapolis Colts

Thursday Nov. 28 Chicago Bears

Thursday Dec. 5 Green Bay Packers

Sunday Dec. 15 Buffalo Bills

Sunday Dec. 22 at Chicago Bears

Monday Dec. 30 at San Francisco 49ers

Sunday Jan. 5 Minnesota Vikings

[machine gun kelly]

Agreed with the OP, this was always the biggest game of the year at least for the last several weeks.  I was relatively confident we would beat the Chiefs as we did the last three years and their offense has been mediocre at best.

 

The Lions are on the hand a steamroller.  Whether we win or not in a month, it will give us a preview of a possible playoff game preview.  The good news barring no further starters injured is we will have by then Keon Coleman, Amari Cooper, Spencer Brown, Dion Dawkins, and my best excitement of Matt (the Missile) Milano.  This will be a real heavyweight fight.

[shane nelson]

Hard to beat the same team twice in a season.  If we lose, we just need to play them again!!

[strive_for_five_guy]

5 hours ago, That's No Moon said:

Agreed.  A win would be nice, but hopefully it's the hors d'oeuvre for this party.  Kind of reminds me of Bills/Giants in December 1990.  Timing is similar, situation is similar.

I’ve said the same.  Bills/Giants were both 11-2 heading into that game.  And ironically, it was on December 15th as well.

[Boatdrinks]

Did they ever change out that turf at Ford Field ? It’s notoriously bad for injuries and the players hate it . 

[Sweats]

This one could absolutely be an extreme slugfest between the two of them.......Detroit is one of the most aggressive teams i can ever remember hitting the field each week. They completely dominate everyone with their talent, schemes, coaching, etc.

 

I don't know how well we stack up against them, but i do know that if we can't match the Lions intensity, this game will be over before it starts.

I certainly think we will be lucky to come away with the win, however, i still believe we can match up with any team in this league.......a bounce here, a bounce there, some lucky plays, some INT's, etc.

 

If ever there was a time for our D to step up, this is it.

[peterpan]

Their schedule is similar to ours.  We both blew out the Jags and Titans. Both beat the Seahawks. They Both played Hou close.  Both beat Ariz close.  We will have played the rams by the game- they beat them in OT.
 

They haven’t played any great teams, we played Balt and KC.  We are 1-1 in those games (I don’t count Minn as a great team, who Det beat, not with Sam Darnold at QB.)

 

Because of years past and our games against Balt and KC, I’d consider us more battle tested.  Also WE HAVE JOSH ALLEN.  He will obviously be the difference in a close game.  Goff will not be able to hang with Josh, end of half, end of game, with it on the line, Allen just gets it done.

Edited yesterday at 12:16 PM by peterpan