If the title is any indication, we’re still a bit — let’s call it curmudgeonly — about the sudden, unexpected, calamitous end to the Lions season. I think I’ll have a better perspective in a season review column. And it’s not like all hope is lost. I cannot overstate this: the Lions are going to be a respectable, competitive football team we can be proud of for a long time. Things didn’t go our way two years in a row when we felt very close. Other teams have endured far more almost-made-its. We’re Lions fans. We can handle almost-made-its. Contrary to what anyone else might tell you, almost-made-its are SO superior to never-really-had-a-chances. But enough about my favorite team and our collective heartbreak. Let’s just get these picks in and move on.
Reg Season: 54-36-1, Playoffs Thus Far: 6-4, Lifetime: 115-68-4
Washington (+6.5) @ Eagles — I haven’t pulled for a non-Lion team in a long time the way I’m gonna be rooting for the Eagles at 15:00 on Sunday. There’s virtually zero conscious logic in this pick. Cursory inspection would indicate the Eagles are better. I honestly don’t care about anything except seeing Washington get beat by 30. I shall summon the result. For all that is good, gimme the Birds by a huge margin.
Bills (+1.5) @ Chiefs — Everything inside me is screaming to not go against the Chiefs. It’s been a half-decade of the Chiefs making those who pick against them a little bit poorer. All that history is in the context of the now, where it looks like The Chiefs are somewhat maligned for their success, not uncommon in American sports. So this makes me wanna side with the better-karma-carrying Bills. But as the week has worn on I’ve come to believe that the feel-goodery of the Bills and the fact that everybody not in KC wants them to win makes a Bills pick the “zag”. I’m zigging. Chief it up.
See y’all later for the season retrospective and Supe Preview columns. As always, post title notwithstanding, thank you for reading. Auf Wiedersehen!
