Lions stamped as contenders by ‘No Huddle’ crew

Published: September 20th, 2011 | Tags: Detroit Lions, Heath Evans, Jim Mora, Michael Irvin, No Huddle, Warren Sapp

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The Lions are the hottest thing in the Motor City since … well, let’s just say it’s been a really long time.

The Lions haven’t sniffed the playoffs since 1999 — that’s 11 seasons, for those not inclined to do the math — but it hasn’t taken away from the optimism brought about the team’s six-game winning streak dating back to last season. There’s good reason. One of seven current undefeated teams, the Lions have arguably the game’s best receiver in Calvin Johnson, a defensive line that’s not commonly referred to as the league’s best, and, the most important piece to the whole thing, a healthy Matthew Stafford.

So when NFL Network analysts Michael Irvin, Jim Mora, Warren Sapp and Heath Evans discussed whether four of the current undefeated teams are contenders or pretenders, it was unanimous that the current version of the Lions are legitimate.

The belief in the Lions has spread far beyond Detroit. With games against division rivals Minnesota and Chicago, as well as Dallas and Atlanta, over the next five weeks, the Lions will have every chance to prove it.

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