Thank you Detroit

[Section B]

Way to go Mr. Vick

 

[magnus]

oll... from before the game

Lions need upset to keep playoff hopes alive

By Tom Kowalski

DETROIT -- While Detroit Lions head coach Rod Marinelli continues to stress the importance of focusing on just one snap at a time, his players are also taking a quick glance at the big picture.

With a 1-6 record, that might not seem like a good idea. But it's actually giving them fuel as they go into a stretch where they'll play three of their next four games at home. First up are the 5-2 Atlanta Falcons, who are listed as 5 1/2-point favorites today.

An upset win against the Falcons, though, would put the Lions one step closer to their goal.

Lions wide receiver Roy Williams doesn't want to lose sight of that: "You can say `One game at a time,' but you've got to look at the big picture. The big picture is that we're 1-6 and 8-8 might get us in the playoffs, maybe. But if you're 9-7, I think you're in, somehow, someway. I think we have to win eight of these (final) nine, if not all nine."

Said quarterback Jon Kitna: "We're trying to win all nine games -- 10-6 will get you in (the playoffs). That's what we're trying to do and we've gotten better each week and that's what we've got to continue to do."

"Our offensive goal is to be the best in the league and we've got to start limiting turnovers," Kitna said. "We can't have some of the turnovers we've had this year."

That's what Lions offensive coordinator Mike Martz has been stressing.

"We're still making too many mistakes and squandering opportunities, but I still think we're better than we were in the first part of the season. We're making progress," Martz said, adding that the players are acquiring a better understanding of his scheme.

"By concept, nothing changes," he said. "There might be a new play, but the concept doesn't change. Once they understand that, then it becomes a lot easier for them and they're not fighting it like they were earlier. I think the attention to detail is much better than it was before."

 

[Village Idiot]

....and San Fransico and Washington and Kansas City

 

[meatpile]

Goddammit. I've been talking to myselfforweeks.

http://www.thisboardrocks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=118300

 

[hasbeen99]

Yes -- thank you very much indeed, Detroit. :congrats:

 

[Black&Blue]

Detroit can certain finish strong. They have a relatively easy stretch of games ahead.

Playoffs? Unless the bottom completely fell out of the conference, like in '04, I don't see how that would be remotely possible.