The Detroit Lions lost far more than a football game to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday at Ford Field.
Twenty-one players are now on injured reserve, and that number will likely grow to 22. It doesn’t sound good for running back David Montgomery playing again this season. In a 48-42 loss, Montgomery (MCL), Carlton Davis (jaw) and Alim McNeill (knee) all went down.
So… what now?
The Lions found ways to keep winning when their best defensive player Aidan Hutchinson — a DPOY-level talent — was lost for the season. With three regular-season games left, they’re grab-bagging like never before. McNeill (profiled here) and Montgomery (here) have been vital organs to Dan Campbell’s team. In line for the No. 1 seed, these Lions are in danger of falling. Here on the Ty & Bob Pod, your NFC North-centric show each week, we examine everything in detail. Hall of Fame scribe Bob McGinn has been closely watching the film of all Lion replacement players all season long. He believes panic is warranted.
Still, Campbell is already doing his best via an impassioned radio hit to rally his troops.
Back to eating “molded bread,” these Lions face their greatest test yet in 2024.
We’ve got a loaded episode for you. After plenty of Lions discussion/analysis, we transition into the Green Bay Packers thumping the Seattle Seahawks around the 53-minute mark. It was impressive. Jordan Love is playing mistake-free football, and his playmakers are stepping up. Defensively, the pass rush is coming alive.
McGinn believes the Packers have the best shot at making the Super Bowl out of all three NFC North clubs, and explains why.
You’ll want to stick around for his weekly “McGinn Memory” segment. One decade later, we relive the most absurd football game of a generation: Green Bay’s NFC Championship loss to the Seahawks. We all remember Brandon Bostick’s flub — an unforgivable error to many teammates — but I pointed the finger at Mike McCarthy’s passive approach then (and now) and McGinn puts that loss on the MVP Aaron Rodgers, whom he calls “the most overrated quarterback I’ve seen” on the pod.
And of course, we recap the Minnesota Vikings’ 30-12 thrashing the Bears. They’ve got an opening in the North and Brian Flores’ defense has Caleb Williams coiling on the bench.
Thank you for listening everyone.
Go Long subscribers can access the FULL two hours of NFC North talk.
We appreciate you sharing the gift of longform with a loved one this Christmas season.
Audio is above. Video is below.