Detroit Lions fans started the New Year with their own resolutions for the 14-2 team that faces a decisive Sunday game against the Minnesota Vikings that will decide how difficult their route to a potential Super Bowl appearance will be.
Talking to fans in downtown Detroit Wednesday, almost everyone said the same thing: They believe the Lion’s can make it to the Super Bowl for the first time ever since the game was created in the mid-1960s.
“We’ve had a long history of not doing so well, so it’d be nice to see them finally get to the Super Bowl and make the city proud,” said Raj Grewal, 41, of Bloomfield Hills.
“They’ve played well all season long. Obviously, they have some injuries, but that shouldn’t let that stop them. So just keep working together as a team. The talent is there, so they just have to execute and get it done.”
The Lions don’t have to beat the Vikings on Sunday to make it to the big game, but a victory would make them the No. 1 seed in the National Football Conference and let them skip the first round of playoff games. They would have to win two home playoff games, including the conference championship game, to make it to the Super Bowl in New Orleans in February.
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If they lose to the Vikings, the Lions will have to start its playoff push in Tampa, Atlanta or Los Angeles, despite a 14-win regular season. They’ll start as the No. 5 seed and will have to win two playoff games as well as win the NFC championship game to advance to the Super Bowl.
“I just hope they play a good game. Play hard, leave it all out on the field,” said Jermaine Johnson, 43, of Detroit. “They need to play good defense, because their defense is important. The offense is always there, but they need their defense.”
The Lions have never earned a No. 1 seed in the playoffs, nor have they ever played in a Super Bowl.
Here’s what other fans said their New Year’s resolutions are for the Lions:
Matt Murray, 35, of Toronto
“I’m hoping for the Lions to continue the culture that they started, the culture of not giving up,” said Murray, a former Detroiter. “…Obviously, our defense has a lot of injuries, but these young guys are showing heart, and that’s the whole culture change. It’s the heart not giving up.
“…They have shown lots and lots of times that even when they are pressed against the wall, where back in the past, where we would crumble, we’re not crumbling.”
Murray said he sees the Lions reaching the Super Bowl.
“I think that we can go all the way, as long as we continue that heart,” he said. “And they need our belief, they need our support. I believe we win the Super Bowl. Yeah, I’m not giving up on that. We’re on a beautiful run.”
Natossa Copeland, 25, of Detroit
“I’m hoping they can win (the Super Bowl),” Copeland said. “They have to work as a team.
“If they win, like a few days ago, I think they can win again. … I feel it, like I really feel it. I’m feeling good, real good.”
Jay Ziolkowski, 30, of Grosse Pointe Park
“I want a Super Bowl,” Ziolkowski said. “…Even if we don’t make it all the way, it’s pretty amazing. But I’m pretty confident they’re gonna do it. Do you think (head coach) Dan’s not gonna let us win? He eats kneecaps for breakfast. So that’s kind of a man to rally behind.”
He welcomes the success, which the team hasn’t experienced since its playoff runs in the early 1990s.
“I think it hasn’t felt like this in a long time. Like we get really good players, you enjoy it, but this is like the first time watching it (be) so entertaining,” Ziolkowski said.
Anna Harrell, 19, of Wyondotte
“I hope that they go to the Super Bowl. That’s the first thing that I hope for, because they never done it,” Harrell said.
“They need to keep up the good work. I think we’re pretty much there, and then we’re in.”
Sunday night, the Lions will host the Minnesota Vikings for a winner-take-all regular-season finale at Ford Field, with the NFC North title and the No. 1 seed both hanging in the balance. The game starts at 8:20 p.m.
