Detroit Lions: When will the other shoe drop?

DETROIT – Traditionally, the Lions have found a way or ways to disappoint fans. Traditionally, the Lions have fallen flat before posing any sort of real threat at a championship run. Traditionally... wait, there's nothing traditional about this year's version of the Detroit Lions.

Instead of SOL (Same Old Lions), maybe this year's version has a touch of magic. Many have insisted that this is all a mirage, and some have said the Lions' success has been built on sand. Time will tell the true story, but here's why the future might be brighter than the past.

1. Just like life, the Lions find a way

The Lions' historic season has been well documented, but maybe still the gravity of what they have done has not yet set in.  This number alone is staggering: 1-in-40,000 chance at seven comeback wins. There haven't been any monster, blowout wins.  To give you a comparison of how close the other wins have been, the first four wins of the season were only separated by 11 points combined. Here's a recap for you fine folks:

I admit, this is a tough model to follow all the way to the Lombardi trophy. Can it be done?  Yes. Is it likely? No.

2. The Stafford Effect

Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is in complete control of his game and in the midst of his best season to date. - @Zac_Robinson5

While Matthew Stafford carefully constructs his greatest season to date, people might be missing the fine details of his masterpiece. His yardage doesn't jump off the page (3,224 yards,) but he is among the top 10 in the league in that category. It's his ball protection that has the Lions winning in close games. With 433 passes this season, only five have ended up in the wrong hands.

PointAfter | Graphiq

He's also using his legs more than ever before, with some saying that he looks as fit as ever. He has 178 yards on 30 carries and 11 rushes for first downs this season.

In short, he's making all of the right decisions at all the right times.

And not to belabor the point about good Stafford has been, but let's not lose sight of how good he's been for a while now. He's second all-time in yards per game at 278.1, trailing only Drew Brees in that category (283 yards per game.) Stafford ranks second all-time in 400-yard games in a players first eight seasons, with seven. Dan Marino is atop that list with 10. And dating back to the start of 2015, Stafford has thrown 41 touchdowns and 0 interceptions in the red zone - best mark in the NFL.

3. Who needs a running game?

When you look for the Lions on the list of the best rushing teams in the NFL you need to keep looking down, nope not there yet, now scroll the page down to the bottom and ...yup ... there they are.  The Lions rank 29th in the NFL in rushing yards per game. But I'm here to tell you - that's okay. four teams (Broncos, Ravens, Chiefs and Giants,) are currently in the playoff picture while also dwelling in the the lowest third of that very list. Last year, the Patriots won a Super Bowl, but ranked 30th in the league in rushing.  So, there is hope.  The Lions, like so many other teams, have supplemented handing the ball off with short passes to running backs and receivers.  Theo Riddick ranks third among running backs with 53 receptions this season. Theo has turned five of those catches into touchdowns, which is the highest total to date for his position.  Passing is the new running.

The often forgotten and much maligned unit of any football team.  Here's the deal, people, the Lions Special Teams unit is fantastic.  Sam Martin is kicking the hell out of the ball - ranking second in the league with a net average of 44.8 yards per kick. Sam's third in punt average, 48.6 yards per and has pinned the opponent inside their own 20 yards line 17 times this season.  He's also been fantastic on kickoffs.

Place kicker Matt Prater was named Special Teams Player of the Week for last week's performance.  He has been mister clutch - 25 of 25 in his career when kicking game-winning or game-tying field goals.

But to bring it back to the kickers, these guys have been so key in how the Lions are winning. Often the games have not been pretty and field position has become key.  The Lions have been able to "tilt the field" in their favor.  While the defense has been more of the bend-but-don't-break variety this year, this tactic has been the unsung hero of the season, that combined with clutch play from their leader, Stafford and timely kicks by Matt Prater.

It is up to the Lions on whether or not playoff success comes, but we know that they have a capable team.  It's a roster that might not be filled with stars, but has the people in place to play with anyone.