Lions, I’m sorry I didn’t believe in you

The Lions handily beat the Saints on Sunday, holding the NFL’s most productive offense to 369 yards and 13 points while scoring 28 of their own. They have been winning by skin of their teeth all season, having trailed in the fourth quarter of their first seven wins. Sunday was easily the most complete performance the Lions have had to date. Matthew Stafford stood tall and delivered in the pocket. The defense was opportunistic and aggressive despite being banged up.

And almost no one believed they would do it.

I wanted to laugh at this. It’s absurd that so many experts had so little faith in a 7-4 team that is outright leading its division against a 5-6 team that was third. And it wasn’t just ESPN — no one at CBS thought the Lions could win, either. I was ready to hit retweet, but first I had to check something.

And ... oh no.

No.

NO.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

I’m so sorry, Lions. I don’t have an excuse for not believing in you. If anything, I should have been the one standing up for you. I was born and raised in Southeast Michigan. You’ve been my favorite team my entire life, even though I will admit it’s been a by-default sort of love most of the time.

I still noticed how well Stafford has been playing since Jim Bob Cooter took over as offensive coordinator. I still noticed Golden Tate’s infectious disrespect, Anquan Boldin’s age-defying utility, and Theo Riddick’s multitudinous contributions. I should have known better.

The reason I didn’t know better — and nor did dozens of others — is because we’ve come to expect the worst. You have to admit, you haven’t looked that good this season, and you haven’t won a playoff game since 1991. The Saints have Drew Brees, and have been much more competent in recent history.

I mean, you played a linebacker named Thurston Armbrister for God’s sake. That’s a Witness Protection alias, right?

Sorry.

I’m ashamed and embarrassed. You have a very good team, Lions. You’re on pace to win your first division title in 23 years. You could even earn a first-round bye, sending you to the Divisional round for the first time in 25 years. In the grand scheme of history, no one will care how you got there.

You’ve scraped by for so long it appears you got good. The disrespect has been unfair. Even if it wasn’t entirely unreasonable, you do deserve better. Sorry, again.