Los Lions

After a Thanksgiving pause, there is a lot to go over with the Lions of Detroit. First the return and unfortunate exit of Frank Ragnow. The four time pro-bowl center retired last year, but announced his return a few weeks ago. Glasgow hasn’t been exactly otherworldly at center this year, a stark contrast from Ragnow’s lights out pass protection. But, after failing his physical, he will not be returning. And the announcement probably did more harm than good.

Okay, yeah, things are not looking great. Elephant in the room. The offense looked inconsistent against the Packers of Green Bay and the defense couldn’t stop anything from Love or Winston the week prior. It doesn’t look great. At this point last year we were worried about the seeding of the playoffs. Now, we’re worried about even making it. So is it time to hit the panic button?

First off, we have been dealing with injuries for the past, oh I don’t know, 30 years? But more specifically the past three. We went into the NFC Championship in 2023 and Divisional in 2024 both really beat up, and losing Ben Johnson didn’t help. Dan doesn’t look great behind the wheel of the playcalling, and the defense just lost another key piece, with Terrion Arnold being listed on IR and out for the rest of the season. I think we’re a better team than some of these other playoff teams, but given our nightmarish schedule this year, and the fact that we’re losing more and more people every day (to injury), I don’t think this is the ideal scenario. But two words of advice to the NFC. 1. Don’t let us get healthy. 2. Don’t let us make the playoffs.

Because amongst all of these bad things, we’re still 7-5. I’m not looking at the playoff predictor, I’m not looking at the seedings, I’m looking at next week. If we want to make the playoffs and make a splash, it’s going to be one week at a time. 

We got the Cowgirls of Dallas this week, who look white hot. Yes, CeeDee and Pickens are the best WR duo in the league. Yes, Dak is performing at an MVP level. But Dallas has been bullying us all the way back to the picked up pass interference call in the 2015 wild card round. But as the wise Matshona Dhilwayo said, “live for your dreams and not your memories.” This is a new Lions-Cowboys rivalry. Look at the score from last year. Look at what they took from us. The emotional value of this game from our standpoint is undervalued. We just came off of a pretty brutal loss, and we’re here to turn it around. One week at a time. I’m not a huge fan of Emperor Palpatine but my message to the Lions is to USE YOUR ANGER.

Lions by a score.

The ‘Stons

If you were to tell me that 20 games into the season, the top three teams in the east would be the Pistons, Raptors, and Heat, I would have told you to stop talking to me. I would have said you were crazy. But somehow that is the case right now. The Pistons have a 99.3% chance of making the playoffs. Brings a tear to my eye to type it.

So the Pistons are currently linked to multiple big name trade assets, most notably Lauri Markkanen and Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Anthony Davis one is just a flat out lie. Trading for one of these two though, Lauri or Giannis would be tricky. Trading for Giannis essentially turns our team into a win now instead of a young core, and would probably involve giving up either Ausar or JD as well as some other guys. Lauri is 28, entering his prime, but given his injury history and how much it would take to get him, I don’t think we should look at either. 

Besides, the enormous problem with turning our team into a win now is that we would have to go up against the Thunder of Oklahoma City, who might just win the chip the next four years. The Thunder are really good. They sit atop of the league currently with one loss and an undefeated record at home. Their superstar, last year’s (unrighteous) MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, isn’t even playing in the fourth quarter. I think we’d have a much better chance of competing if we let the young core develop. If you think we’re good right now, just you wait.

The other topic I want to discuss is the potential impact of one Ron Holland II. Last year’s rookie star for the Pistons, Ron is averaging around 8 points and 2 steals, as well as a few rebounds and assists. He is transforming into a fantastic 2-way player, at just 20 years old. The man cannot even get himself a Miller Lite legally, but he can pickpocket any professional athlete on the court. That being said, this guy needs more playing time. In the next year or two, I could easily see him become the 2nd or 3rd best player on this team. Extend him while he’s cheap, because this guy is going to be a sensation. JB. Trajan. Make it happen guys.

Wings, Red

I still legitimately cannot tell whether the Wings are good or not. We can allow six goals against the Predators of Nashville (including 5 in the third period), one of the worst teams in the league, and then going on a tear through Boston and looking great. I think the main problem in this squad lies in the goaltending (shocking, I know). We were up 3-0 against Boston last night, but it wouldn’t be a Gibson start if he didn’t allow four goals. Thanks to the heroics of Mo Seider and the rest of the offense, we got the win 5-4, but it was concerning. Our offense looks pretty good, although top heavy, ranking 14th in the league for points for. Our defense is 28th of 32. I know that we’re still doing pretty good as far as standings wise, but teams with a bottom five defense don’t tend to do particularly well at making the playoffs. And given the talent that we have right now, I’d really like to see us do that. 

There’s something about Detroit GMs and the trade deadline that they just tend to fall asleep. The Tigers made little to no moves to get anyone, the Lions made zero moves even though we needed about nine different positions, and the Pistons got Dennis Schroder. I love Dennis, but go up to a random person on the street and ask if they’ve ever heard of Dennis Schroder. They haven’t. Anyways, if this team wants to make the playoffs, something has to change on the defensive end. Gibson was in theory a good move, as goaltending has been an issue for us the last few years, but hasn’t exactly panned out. The guy just doesn’t look good. .868 save percentage across 14 games ain’t good. Cam Talbot doesn’t look much better with .890. Although there’s been more flashes of brilliance with him, we need a better goalie if we want to make the playoffs. Steve, for the love of Gordie, make it happen. Please. 

Motor City Kitties

ESPN MLB insiders Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel broke just yesterday that the Tigers are not looking to move ace and back to back Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal as of right now. Hallelujah.

Obviously I do not want Skubal gone. He’s led us on two amazing postseasons and regular seasons, and provides the most entertaining baseball in Detroit since the likes of Mad Max and Verlander. Skubal is the best. Which is why I’m happy we’re keeping him.

Yes, Chris “Ebeneezer” Ilitch probably will not sign him to an extension. Yes, he will probably be gone at some point. But right now, the Tigers are contenders. Pitching wins championships. Which is why Skubal staying is the best case scenario for us. I think we can do it. We had the best record in baseball for a good stretch last year, and with the development of some young players plus the added veteran presence of a few, we can do it. I firmly believe that if we make the right moves we can contend for a World Series. Getting Torres back was huge, having info that Skubal is staying is monumental, and now we’re being linked to Ketel Marte and Alex Bregman, two diamond bats to add to the lineup.

I’d like to see at least one of them on the team, but I don’t think that’s going to happen. But I’m more excited about the fact that we’re actually being linked to free agents, indicating that we’re looking for more solid pieces to add for our World Series run. My Christmas wishlist for the Tigers involves this: Resign Finnegan and get rid of Kahnle. One step at a time. Spring training is right around the corner.