We're less than an hour out from the Lions' first playoff game in 12 years and the first in the history of The Wayne Fontes Experience. Suddenly, I'm a tad sentimental. I had to take a quick look back.

The first post on TWFE V1.0 was 6 years ago this week, on January 3rd, 2006. And what do you know, I completely forgot my own blog's anniversary!

The first post about the Lions in particular was on January 14th, 2006, where I bitched about something Drew Sharp wrote about the Lions' then ongoing coaching search (which resulted in the hiring of The Shoveler, Rod Marinelli). I bitched about something the hacky Sharp wrote? Some things never change.

By Octover of 2008, TWFE had evolved from a Detroit-centric all sports blog to strictly a Detroit Lions/NFL blog. 3 plus years later, I finally get to write about a Lions playoff team.   

So here I am on January 7th, 2012, writing on TWFE V3.0. I'm waiting for the once unthinkable, a Lions playoff game, to finally kickoff.

Win or lose, it was worth the wait.

The Lions are playing well, are in the playoffs, found a franchise QB, have an epic offense and talent on defense. I believe big things are in their future.

I honestly think the Lions have a solid shot at knocking off the heavily favored Saints tonight. Playing on the road, it would be an upset, but not the "ZOMG, the earth must have fallen off it's axis" most would make it out to be.

Regardless, the Saints are a double digit favorite. Much of the reasoning there is a lack of faith in the Lions is, well, their past. You can't ignore it.

In my decades of fandom, every single season has ended badly. Some with a whimper, some horrifically. Even the best Lions' seasons in my lifetime ended with a gut punch...or more descriptively, a nut punch.

A quick trip through the Lions' playoff history since I joined Lions Nation leaves me reaching for the nearest bottle of whiskey.

1970: Lions drive to the Cowboys' 29 with 47 seconds left. Bill Munson, who had entered the game for an ineffective Greg Landry, overthrows a wide open, Earl McCullouch at the 18, who tips the ball into the arms of Mel Renfro, ending what could have been a game winning drive. Who loses a playoff game 5-0? The Lions.

I cried when Munson threw the pick. HEY! I was 8.

1982: The Lions are the first team in NFL history to make the playoffs with a losing record, then play like it in an embarrassing 31-7 blowout loss the Redskins.

1983: In the waning seconds, despite Gary Danielson having thrown 5 picks, the Lions can still beat the Niners with a 43 yard field goal. Eddie Murray narrowly misses it wide left, Lions lose 24-23. Probably the most heartbreaking loss I've been through as a Lions fan.

The most iconic view ever of a Lions' coach.

But Monte's prayers weren't answered.

1991: The Lions actually win a playoff game (the only one in my lifetime), making it to the NFL's final four. But they are blown out by the Redskins in the NFC Championship 41-10, a replay of the first game of the season. Unfortunately, we all saw it coming.

1993: The Lions are desperately holding on to a lead over the Packers with under a minute left. But thanks to blown coverage, Sterling Sharpe somehow finds himself standing in the end zone 10 yards behind the Lions' secondary in the final seconds. Brett Favre throws a gut-wrenching to watch 40 yard game winning TD pass. If it's not the 1983 Niners game, then THIS is my most heartbreaking loss as a Lions fan.

HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN?

1994: Lions go finish the season mad hot, finshing 7-3 after a 2-4 start, squeezing into the playoffs behind backup QB Dave Kreig. But the offense is null and void, Barry Sanders has -1 yard rushing, as the Lions lose 16-12 in frigid Green Bay. 

1995: Lions are the hottest team in the NFL going into the playoffs, winning 6 straight to end the season, saving Wayne Fontes' job. Confidence is so high, Lomas Brown guarantees a win. What happens? The Lions find themselves down 51-7 to the Eagles in the 3rd quarter, fans turn off their TV's in sheer anger. Lions' QB reject Rodney Peete gets his revenge in a 58-37 win.

1997: The fanbase viciously turns on Scott Mitchell as the Lions go down meekly against the Bucs in a 20-10 loss that wasn't nearly as close as the score would have you believe. This was the game that essentially ended Mitchell's Detroit career.

1999: The Lions were an 8-8 team which didn't deserve to make the playoffs, losing their final 4 regular season games...but somehow back in. The Lions make it 5 losses in a row, losing 27-13 to the Redskins in a game that was never in doubt.

Bobby Ross had this look on his face during his entire Lions' tenure.
A combination of "WTF?" and "What have I gotten myself into?"

It's been nothing but a series of nut shots from the Lions for the last 42 years. So do you blame me for being gun shy in believing the Lions can win? But just because the Lions have broken my heart (but not my will!) in the past doesn't mean they will continue to do so.

Keep in mind it only takes one win to change your outlook. Remember, the Saints were the Aint's not all that long ago, with a history just as dark as the Lions'. They are now a Super Bowl winning franchise, favored to make another deep run in the playoffs.

So it CAN happen to the most hapless of franchises. And say what you will about the Lions historically, they are no longer hapless. Not anymore.

In my Twitter feed, @rdetcheriii replied to my previous post with the following:

I want to win, but a loss will lead to "What's next?"

EXACTLY. No matter what happens tonight, I really feel like the Lions will be on their way to bigger and better things.

History be damned.

Over lo these many years, I've come to realize Lions fans aren't all the same. There are several types of Lions fans, and they are coming out of the woodwork on the eve of the franchise's first playoff game in 12 years. 

1. Fans (if you can even call them "fans") so angry, so pissed off, so unforgiving, they want the Lions punished indefinitely for their past sins. Theses fans revel in their losing, and losing badly.

Example: "The Lions are frauds!  Those asses will never
win a God damn thing until old man Ford kicks it!"

2. Fans for who patience is not a virtue. Theirs has been stretched to the limit due to those past sins, and want the franchise turned around immediately, no excuses. None whatsoever.

Example: "Matt Flynn threw for 480 yards and 6 TDs?
MATT FLYNN? FIRE GUNTHER...RIGHT FUCKING NOW!"

3. Fans who believe their Lions can do no wrong, despite their doing nothing but wrong for decades. It's us against the NFL world!

Example: "Suh got suspended? It's an NFL conspiracy!
They HATE Detroit!"

4. Fans with expectations so lowered, they are happy the Lions have made it out of the NFL cellar. Anything is better than what they've been through over the past decade, even mediocrity.

Example: "If you had said before the season the Lions would
just finish .500, I'd have taken it!"

5. Finally, there's the Lions fan who is a mixture of all of the above. And they make make up the vast majority of Lions Nation. I'd include myself as one of the many.

After a bad loss, or even a bad half, I'll find myself feeling this way about the Lions...

I'm a Lions fan. Don't look at me...I'M HIDEOUS!

But the following game, half, or play, I find myself rooting so hard for the Lions I'll channel my inner Monte Clark...

OH PLEASEPLEASELEASEPLEASEPLEASE
MAKE THE FUCKING KICK!

If the Lions fall short and fail, I'm all...

BURN IN FOOTBALL HELL, YOU HONOLULU
BLUE AND SILVER SONS OF BITCHES!

But if they win?

It's party time! I LOOOOVE THE LIONS!

To put it simply, Lions fans are bi-polar. The only medication is Lions football. And the Lions in a playoff game? It's like we've ODed on Oxycontin.

The Lions will KICK SAINTS ASS!
The Lions will lose, they always do!
But they're good.
But they're the Lions.
I...I...I don't know what to think.

I'm serious. I don't know what to think.

I'm excited as all Hell for 8PM Saturday night...but I'm dreading it as well. I think the Lions can win...but I've been burned so many times in the past, I'm afraid to get my hopes up. I know I shouldn't dwell on the past, the team has almost completely turned over their personnel since he who will not be named was shit-canned. But the past is all I know, it's still fresh in my mind...and it SUCKED. 

But if the worst happens, and the Lions lose? A loss won't be the end. If anything, it'll be the beginning.

Just look back at the Bad Boys Pistons. The Pistons were a God awful franchise for decades...yet finally broke through for 2 championships after years of building up to it. Think about it. The 70's Red Wings were in just as bad of shape as the mid-00 Lions...and they ultimately became the NHL's model franchise, winning 4 Stanley Cups.

If the Lions do lose, my fear is we'll all fall back on our baser instincts, and raise holy Hell. But you need to crawl before you walk, and walk before you run. The Lions are crawling. Saturday should be the first step of a long walk, hopefully running to a championship.

I'm sick and tired of the bitching, moaning, and complaining about the Lions...and that's just from the sports talk radio hosts.  So I'm doing my damnedest to buy into the Lions this time around. I'm listening to my inner Fox Mulder. I really want to believe.

I hope the rest of you are as well.

Joshua, aka DetFan1979 of Roar of the Lions, has brought back the Lions Congregation after a far too lengthy hiatus (He's had damn near as many health issues as yours truly, so I can sympathize!).

FYI, the Lions Congregation is a weekly roundtable featuring those of us in the Lions blogosphere answering questions supplied by Joshua. If all goes well, the Q & A goes live every Firday evening. If you'd like to submit a question, send it to: lionscongregation@yahoo.com

The topic for this week is an obvious one...PLAYOFFS!

Click here to see the answers from the rest of the Lions Congregation at Roar of the Lions!

1.  Based on the Lions active roster in their meeting versus who should be active and healthy on Saturday, how do you feel the Lions defense will stack up versus the Saints?

First off, I refuse to get overly worked up by the Packers' Matt Flynn throwing for a gazillion yards, or the media talking heads who claim, "If a backup can throw 6 TDs against Detroit, Brees will throw for 20!" Flynn isn't your typical backup quarterback. He's a good quarterback who happens to be a backup to the best in the NFL. Flynn would start for half the league. What I am worked up about is the lack of a pass rush against Flynn, allowing him to pick apart the Lions' secondary at will.

The Lions may be healthier than they've been in weeks, but if there is only a minimal pass rush from the front four, an empty trainer's room won't make a difference.  Even if they are fully healthy, I'm not expecting big things from the Lions defense.

The Lions may be healthier than they've been in weeks, but if there is only a minimal pass rush from the front four, an empty trainer's room won't make a difference.  Even if they are fully healthy, I'm not expecting big things from the Lions defense.

All of which is my long-winded way of saying the Lions' chances rest on the shoulders of the defensive line. The front four must have a big game, pressuring Brees in a big way. The Lions aren't going to keep Brees from throwing for 300 yards. Few defenses are capable of it, and the Lions' aren't one of them. But they can minimize the damage by creating turnovers. How do you create turnovers? To channel my inner Al Davis, you must hit the quarterback early, often and hard.

After seeing little to no pass rush against the Packers, I'm not confident at all as to how the Lions match up against the Saints high powered offense. 

In the end, it's simple. If the Lions don't win the turnover battle, they won't beat the Saints. The Lions must fluster, or at least annoy Brees, Otherwise, it's going be a long, long evening for Lions fans.

2.  Based on the Lions active roster in their meeting versus who should be active and healthy on Saturday, how do you feel the Lions Offense will stack up versus the Saints?

I expect big things from the offense. Actually, I think it would be more accurate to say I expect big things from Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson.

Stafford has been a huge roll since removing the glove protecting his broken finger, averaging 383 yards and 3 TDs in the final 5 games. Megatron woke from a mid-season slump (doing little against the Packers, Saints and Vikings), and is now playing like his dominant self, averaging 187 yards in the season's final 3 games. I don't expect the Saints to slow either of them down. 

Brandon Pettigrew also needs to play well, and he'll get more than his fair share of opportunities. Stafford loves to throw to his TEs, especially in the red zone (11 TDs combined between Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler) But Pettigrew also has to keep drops to a bare minimum....or don't drop a pass period. The Lions won't have a margin for error in a winner take all situation. They have to capitalize on their opportunities.

A healthy Kevin Smith would come in handy as well. He's the closest thing to an impact runner on the Lions' roster. And there will come a time when the Lions will need to keep the Saints' defense honest with the occasional hand off to Smith. As much as I'd like Stafford to throw 70 times a game (all to Megatron), it's not realistic.

If the wide outs and TEs play as well have they have in the final quarter of the season, the Lions won't have any trouble scoring points on Saturday. They will move the ball. It's just a matter of capitalizing on their red zone opportunities.

3.  How do you feel this mostly young, emotional team will fare under the pressure of a high profile playoff game? (coach Schwartz included)

The Saints have been to the playoffs before, and won it all. The Lions....well, we know all about their checkered  past.

So there will be a stupid penalty or three by the Lions. It's a given. It's their nature. But I don't expect to the Lions to embarrass themselves either, unlike what we saw go down during their first meeting with the Saints.

The Lions realized they were throwing a shot at the playoffs away after their nationally televised back to back mental meltdowns. They have been relatively well behaved since...thank goodness.

But I do expect to see the team show some nerves, especially in the 1st quarter. For most of the Lions, it'll be their first exposure playoff pressure. Jitters and butterflies are to be expected.

I'm not worried about Jim Schwartz's mental state.  He's been in the playoffs before as defensive coordinator with the Titans (6 games in 4 total appearances, winning 2), making it to the AFC Championship in 2002. He knows what to expect...though I'm sure he'll be on edge.

To be honest, I am still worried the Lions themselves will snap, and do something stupid...like get in a sideline shouting match, throw a punch, shove a ref or stomp on a player. They've kept their emotions in check since their implosion 5 weeks ago. My fear is we'll see another if calls and bounces don't go their way. It's Schwartz's job to prevent it.

Thanks again to Joshua for ressurrecting the Congregation! Head over to Roar of the Lions every week to see what the rest of the Lions blogosphere has to say!

It's interesting to note Lions' GM Martin Mayhew is getting no props from the national media for his rebuilding job. The Lions are the Phoenix of the NFL, yet no one is talking about the man responsible for the resurrection. ESPN's Kevin Seifert gives his take on the mystery man pulling the strings behind a Honolulu blue and silver curtain:

A week dominated by front office news in the NFC North has overshadowed the performance of another division executive. Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew is a private and behind-the-scenes operator, and he doesn't generate much national attention. But can anyone argue with the job he's done in overhauling the team over the past three years?

After 8 years of he who will not be named at the helm, I was extremely leery of his right hand man taking the helm as GM. Shows what I know. 

If this Tombstone inspired post by the always entertaining Neil at Armchair Linebacker doesn't get you fired up for Saturday...you're dead inside.

I’m getting worked up and I should probably take an ice bath or dive off the roof naked into the snow, but my neighbors complained the last time I did that. Then again, I think my fury is at an appropriate level. It’s not wild or stupid, but simmering and determined, and I’m guessing that’s where the Lions are right now too. They know what happened the last time they played the Saints. They’re hungry for this game – not just for a playoff game, but for this particular playoff game against the Saints. I honestly believe that. They want everyone to see that they won’t be owned by that bullshit, by all the penalties, by all the dumb reactionary shit that drove a stake through their heart in that game. Meanwhile, the Saints are laughing and looking forward to the Conference semis. But most of all, the Lions want to win. Badly. And they want to win the damn game on the field with everyone watching. And the Saints, well, you get the sense that the Saints wish they could just fall asleep on Friday night, have a wizard or fairy sprinkle some dust on them and then wake up on Sunday with a magic victory in their back pocket. They don’t want to play this game, and therein lies the difference.

A-fucking-men.

I don't normally read or link to Bleacher Report because it's full of ill-thought out tripe like this and this (I'm serious, don't click, it'll only encourage them further). But I make an exception when Ty of The Lions in Winter posts there, such as his breaking down the Lions pass defense.

Finally, the Lions must continue to innovate schematically, forcing Brees and the Saints to adjust their game rather than the other way around. If Jim Schwartz and Gunther Cunningham can keep Payton and Brees guessing and adapting, the Lions have a chance to advance beyond the Wild Card round for the first time in twenty years.

What?! Actual analysis instead of knee jerk ridiculousness at B/R? What's going on?

Turns out Lions @ Saints doesn't even need to be played, if this Madden '12 simulation the guys at SideLion Report linked to on Twitter is to be believed. But the simulation is over an hour long. So to save you the trouble (SPOILER ALERT), Madden has the Saints trouncing the Lions 23-0.

I have no idea how accurate this is, as I've long given up on the Madden series. It's a cash cow for EA, the sheep keeping dropping $60 on it every fucking year, yet it rarely brings anything new or worthwhile to the table anymore. 

For what it's worth, the perfect video football game has already been made...and it ain't Madden. It's NFL 2K5 for the Playstation 2. Period, end of story, I win any argument.

The NFL is a bettor's dream. Why else would it be the most popular of the 4 major US sports?

But what got me to thinking about betting and the Lions' playoff chances in the eyes of those who make money on games were the following odds, as seen in today's Freep.

Here are the full odds from Cantor Gaming:

Packers are favorite 9-5

Patriots 7-2

Saints: 9-2

Ravens: 6-1

Steelers 10-1

49ers 12-1

Giants: 20-1

Falcons: 50-1

Texans: 60-1

Lions: 80-1

Bengals: 80-1

Broncos: 120-1

80-1? Really? Seems awfully high.

Looking aorund, I've seen the Lions' Super Bowl odd at anywhere from 40-1 to 75-1. I'd bet a few Benjamins...well, more like a few Jacksons at those long numbers. (I'm not single any more, and the teen needs tires on his car)

So what about the wild card game against the Saints? From poking aorund the bowels of the internet and offshore sportsbooks, this screencap from BetUs shows the betting line status quo:

Depending on where you go and the money being bet at a certain time, the Lions are getting anywhere from 10.5 to 11 points, with the over/under hovering around 59. For a playoff game, even one with the long downtrodden Lions, 10.5 points is an awfully big spread. The over/under seems right on the money, however.

For all the talk of the first meeting between the Lions and Saints being a blowout, it wasn't. The Lions were only down one score midway through the 4th quarter. They did more to lose the game than the Saints did to win it. And by saying the Lions did more to lose the game, I mean they emotionally imploded in a big, stupid way. I don't see that happening again...knock on wood.

So what would I do if I were standing in a Vegas sports book Saturday afternoon with a wad of big bills in my sweaty hands?

The Lions are as healthy as they've been in weeks, and the Stafford to Megatron connection is rolling. Considering both Stafford and Brees are likely to throw for close to 400 yards and multiple touchdowns, and both teams can be defensively challenged...I'd bite the bullet, and take the Lions to cover and definitely the over....if I were still a betting man, that is.

The 12 year old has his karate lessons, after all...

The reason TWFE has been quiet over the last day or so is due to my being busy writing for other sites.

One, keep an eye out for the return of the long on hiatus Lions Congregation on Friday! Joshua, aka DetFan1979 of Roar of the Lions, was giving me a run for the title of "Lions blogger with the most severe health issues." But he's feeling much better, and bringing back the Lions blogger roundtable in time for the playoffs.

Two, I provided a Detroit Lions playoff preview for Bloguin's NFL blog, This Given Sunday.

I give my thoughts on the franchise's return to relevancy, and give NFL fans who aren't as familiar with the Lions a general overview of the team's game plan, playmakers and keys to winning the game. I also throw in a prediction!

Click here to check it out!

More bulletin board material for Detroit, via the Lions' Facebook page.

Wouldn't a Craigslist post be better suited for finding a
lost kitty than using the Superdome?

But to be honest, this is what I think...

DetroitLions.com has the full wild card weekend schedule.

SATURDAY

4:30 PM — Cincinnati at Houston (NBC)

8 PM — Detroit at New Orleans (NBC)

SUNDAY

1 PM — Atlanta at NYG/DAL winner (FOX)

4:30 PM — Pittsburgh at Denver (CBS)'

That's just great. The Lions are in the playoffs, but we can expect a lecture of some sort from Bob Costas' bully pulpit if they commit a personal foul.

Lions will start from their 38. NEED MOAR POINTZ.

Crossing pattern to Megatron, runs over a couple of Packers, out of bounds at the Packers' 38! Man amongst boys. He's over 200 yards on the day...Stafford now over 400.

3rd and 3 from the 31...UGH, Burlson falls on the cut again. Someone get Burleson some longer spikes, please?

Lions going for it...Pass to Pettigrew is no good. But this was just plain dirty by the Packer DB's...

But the Lions are the dirty team, right?

FYI, Stafford is 72 yards shy of 5000 yards passing on the season. Fuck the Pro Bowl.

Packers get a 1st down on 3rd and 4, Lions offsides. Fuck us all.

Packers face 2nd and 5...SACK! FLAG! Holding on the Lions. Levy, GODDAMIIT. 1st down.

Swing pass gets 11, Packers driving at the Lions' 38.

TO Packers with 9:27 left.

It's 4:05 eastern time. Longest fucking game ever.

3rd and 8 at the 35...Driver scores on a crossing pattern. Fucking ridiculous.

38-34 Packers lead. It was the ref's incompetence in the 1st half costing the Lions, now their own D being just as bad in the 2nd.