Each week, SB Nation tracks NFL fans’ confidence levels of their favorite teams with their Reacts Surveys posted on their team websites. For Pride of Detroit, we are tasked with gauging Detroit Lions fans’ confidence in the team heading
into each game. But this week, with the Lions on the bye, we’ve added a second question to the mix:
- Are you confident the Lions are headed in the right direction?
- Which injured starter are you most excited to return after the bye?
Fans’ confidence has wavered a bit more this season than in seasons past. We saw confidence well above 90+% to start the season, followed by a big drop to 53% following a Week 1 loss, and a steady climb since, rising to 94% ahead of the Chiefs game. After losing to the Chiefs, confidence dipped again, but not as significantly as in Week 1, with last week’s poll landing at 82%.
Now, following a big win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on “Monday Night Football”—a team that was leading the NFC coming into the game—it’s once again time to adjust your confidence in the direction of the Lions team.
As for our second question, we wanted to know which injured starter you are most excited to return after the bye, and have provided you with the five available choices:
- Marcus Davenport
- D.J. Reed
- Terrion Arnold
- Kerby Joseph
- Brian Branch
Davenport is currently on injured reserve but is eligible to return when healthy; he’s just not there yet. Lions coach Dan Campbell said Davenport’s health is improving, but noted that he wouldn’t start practicing until after the bye and may not be back until late November or early December. With Al-Quadin Muhammad balling out, the Lions won’t need to rush his return.
Reed is also on injured reserve, but he is not eligible to return until after the Vikings game in Week 9. Reed was the Lions’ clear CB1 before getting injured, and he is expected to return very soon after he becomes eligible.
Arnold remains on the active roster, and while he missed the last two games due to injury, he has already begun practicing, and most are anticipating him being ready for the Vikings game. Amik Robertson and Rock Ya-Sin have been starting in his place of Arnold and Reed.
Joseph is also working through an injury, and after three weeks of him needing to leave the game at points because of his knee, he was finally shut down last week. Thomas Harper has been terrific replacing Joseph, but the Lions will certainly want to get their All-Pro back as soon as possible.
Branch was dealing with an ankle injury and was a game-time decision ahead of the Chiefs game. Since he was suspended this past week, we haven’t received an update on his ankle, but the extra time off has likely given him more time to heal. Erick Hallett started in his place last week.
Alright, it’s once again time to vote.
Throughout the year, we ask questions of the most plugged-in Detroit Lions fans and fans across the country. If you want to get these surveys emailed to you weekly, sign up here.
