The Detroit Lions aren’t quite dead yet. If the improbable results of them finishing out by winning their two remaining games (at Vikings, at Bears) combined with the Green Bay Packers losing out (vs. 49ers, at Vikings) happen, the Lions will have managed to sneak their way into the postseason.
But after Sunday’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Lions fans are bumming pretty hard. Most understand the long-shot odds are probably not worth getting hopeful for, others don’t even want to see this team
in the postseason given their current low level of play.
Regardless, the Lions still have two games left to play. It’s an opportunity for them to grow, compete, and show a sense of pride in their work. For Lions fans, well, it’s subjective what they can get out of these final two games.
And with the this week’s game inconveniently on Christmas, I wouldn’t be surprised if some fans just decide to opt out. So today’s Question of the Day is:
Will you be watching Lions vs. Vikings on Christmas?
My answer: Well, obviously I have to. But if I wasn’t tethered to the game by profession, I’d honestly have a hard time deciding whether to watch this game. For one, I don’t like the NFL on Christmas, and I boycotted it last year. I think it’s unnecessary greed, seeing as this holiday already had a professional sports league trying to “own” it.
On a different level, I think it inconveniences thousands of people on this country’s most beloved holidays. I know few are going to have sympathy for the players who make millions of dollars having to play on Christmas when millions of working class people have to do the same. But there are a ton of other people involved in the NFL process who are far from making exuberant wages that now must be forced to be away from family and loved ones for…. what? A trio of mid NFL games that could have brought just as much enjoyment at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday?
However, I’ll admit that even my moral objections to this game being on Christmas, I always certainly would have watched it anyways. No matter how long-shot the odds are to make the playoffs, if there was anything on the line—and even when there wasn’t—I have watched essentially every Lions game of the past 25 or so years. I don’t plan to stop now, just because my 8-7 football team didn’t meet preseason expectations.
What are your thoughts on watching the Lions on Christmas? Will you be tuning in, or will the team’s failures—plus your obligations on the holiday—draw you away from the TV? Share your answers in the comment section.
