Commentary: Lions ‘Restore the Roar’ with home playoff win
NFL
Published on : 1/19/2024
By Andy Phillips
Special to the Pro Football Hall of Fame
The NFC North champion Detroit Lions hosted the wild-card Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night of Super Wild Card Weekend, and the storyline was centered around the two men under center: Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff.
The quarterbacks, both No. 1 overall picks in their respective NFL Drafts, were traded for each other in a deal between Sunday’s opposing teams. The feeling of opportunity was in the air for both, though that feeling was significantly different for each.
For Stafford, it was a homecoming to the place he called home the first 12 years of his NFL career. For Goff, one might not blame him for entering this game with revenge on his mind, even though he never would admit it.
After helping lead the Rams to a Super Bowl appearance in his third season, the Rams would go a different direction two years later, hoping to help their organization get over the hump. In defense of the Rams, they did so in Stafford’s first season in town, winning Super Bowl LVI.
It has been a win-win trade for both organizations, each finding a greater level of success than they had in the previous circumstance. With that being said, we are going to focus on Detroit now, the city and fanbase starving for a winner.
The number 32 means something to Detroit Lions fans. For me, I was born July 31, 1991, in Lansing, Mich. Thirty-two days later, the Detroit Lions would kick off their regular season, which ended with a 12-4 record and NFC Central Division title. They beat the Dallas Cowboys in the divisional round of the playoffs before falling to the Washington Redskins in the NFC Championship Game. Now, 32 years later, the Lions finally have earned another playoff win, defeating the Rams, 24-23.
Despite the fact winning was not always consistent, the Lions were a fun organization to root for because there were some incredible players on the teams: Stafford, Chris Spielman, Bennie Blades, Lomas Brown, Dré Bly, Shaun Rogers, Jerry Ball, Ndamukong Suh, and, of course, generational talents and Pro Football Hall of Famers BARRY SANDERS and CALVIN JOHNSON.
Each year that passed left the fan base hungrier for the next playoff win, and this season, 32 years later, it felt as realistic as ever. To appreciate what happened Jan. 14, though, I want to venture back to the previous playoff victory. History often repeats itself, and the nation of #AllGrit had dreamed of repeating Jan. 5, 1992, since it took place.
The 1991 Detroit Lions were ready to compete after years of quality draft classes.
The defense was anchored by an elite 1988 draft class that featured All-Pro linebacker Spielman and Pro Bowl safety Blades. Spielman was known for his grit, play recognition and work ethic, while Blades patrolled the secondary ready to take on any opponent who dared to come over the middle of the Pontiac Silverdome turf.
The offense had an elite line led by center Kevin Glover and left tackle Lomas Brown. Weapons like young-gun wide receivers Herman Moore and Willie Green made the midseason quarterback switch from Rodney Peete to Erik Kramer a smooth transition. Of course, having Sanders, then an electric third-year running back, at their disposal made life easier for the Lions.
The Lions’ opponent for the divisional round of the playoffs was the Dallas Cowboys, who were led by Hall of Fame coach JIMMY JOHNSON and finished the regular season 11-5. Dallas also featured Hall of Famers quarterback TROY AIKMAN, running back EMMITT SMITH and wide receiver MICHAEL IRVIN, who all made the 1991 Pro Bowl. Aikman was injured, and Steve Beuerlein finished the regular season 5-0 as the starter to help the Cowboys squeak by the Chicago Bears in the opening round of the playoffs.
You can watch the full game via the NFL YouTube channel, and I suggest all Lions fans do because the Pontiac Silverdome was rockin’.
The Lions jumped out early with a 31-yard touchdown pass from Kramer to Green and led 17-6 at halftime with Sanders having almost no impact on the game. Aikman would get his number called in the third quarter, replacing Beuerlein in an effort to provide a spark for the Cowboys. However, the route was on after two more Kramer touchdown passes in the third quarter made the score 31-6.
What happened next was the perfect ending for Lions fans: With the ball on the Dallas 47-yard-line in the fourth quarter, the legendary Pat Summerall after joking with Hall of Famer JOHN MADDEN on the broadcast about a “John Madden is Elvis” sign in the crowd, took us away as Cowboys defensive lineman Tony Casillas lost track of the ball carrier …
“Sanders still on his feet … and Sanders is gone!
“Six Cowboys missed him!”
Then Summerall and Madden, understanding big moments like great broadcasters do, went silent, letting that moment speak for itself. They said nothing more.
For 32 seconds, they let the Silverdome erupt. For 32 seconds, they let #OnePride roar like never before.
When Sanders was drafted and said it was a “privilege to be one of the players that will help restore the roar in the ‘Dome,” this was what he meant. And Madden and Summerall, legendary for using their voices, understood that in that moment, the most impactful voice to be heard was the fans. That roar.
On Jan. 14, 2024, it was time to find out if Ford Field had that roar in it. Not the fabricated, popping blood vessels scream while the Rams are in the huddle. Not the one when you see the decibel radar on the big screen to see what number will be topped. The one that happened Jan. 5, 1992, when Sanders accelerated to the end zone.
There is a reason this year’s team feels different. It has that rare trait that great organizations often have: the team’s identity and the city’s identity are in perfect alignment.
Much like how the best Pittsburgh Steelers teams are as strong as steel, the best Philadelphia Eagles teams are underdog overachievers and the best San Franscisco 49ers teams are brilliant innovators, this version of the Detroit Lions is a blue-collar group that is overflowing with grit. That is how you get true backing from the fans. That is how you get the ultimate respect. That is how you get back that roar.
And you know what? It happened. And it did not take long.
It was the first series of the game.
From the Rams’ 1-yard line, the Lions were set to score a touchdown on their first possession of the game, and it was almost — eerie. On NBC’s broadcast, Cris Collinsworth even mentioned how quiet the stadium was as the anticipation mounted.
Then, on the Lions 10th offensive play from scrimmage, running back David Montgomery punched it into the end zone. And it happened … THE ROAR.
That touchdown — that eruption — set the tone in Detroit, and the madness didn’t stop.
Detroit Lions: You were due. Ford Field: You delivered.
The Roar is Restored.
Special to the Pro Football Hall of Fame
The NFC North champion Detroit Lions hosted the wild-card Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night of Super Wild Card Weekend, and the storyline was centered around the two men under center: Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff.
The quarterbacks, both No. 1 overall picks in their respective NFL Drafts, were traded for each other in a deal between Sunday’s opposing teams. The feeling of opportunity was in the air for both, though that feeling was significantly different for each.
For Stafford, it was a homecoming to the place he called home the first 12 years of his NFL career. For Goff, one might not blame him for entering this game with revenge on his mind, even though he never would admit it.
After helping lead the Rams to a Super Bowl appearance in his third season, the Rams would go a different direction two years later, hoping to help their organization get over the hump. In defense of the Rams, they did so in Stafford’s first season in town, winning Super Bowl LVI.
It has been a win-win trade for both organizations, each finding a greater level of success than they had in the previous circumstance. With that being said, we are going to focus on Detroit now, the city and fanbase starving for a winner.
The number 32 means something to Detroit Lions fans. For me, I was born July 31, 1991, in Lansing, Mich. Thirty-two days later, the Detroit Lions would kick off their regular season, which ended with a 12-4 record and NFC Central Division title. They beat the Dallas Cowboys in the divisional round of the playoffs before falling to the Washington Redskins in the NFC Championship Game. Now, 32 years later, the Lions finally have earned another playoff win, defeating the Rams, 24-23.
Despite the fact winning was not always consistent, the Lions were a fun organization to root for because there were some incredible players on the teams: Stafford, Chris Spielman, Bennie Blades, Lomas Brown, Dré Bly, Shaun Rogers, Jerry Ball, Ndamukong Suh, and, of course, generational talents and Pro Football Hall of Famers BARRY SANDERS and CALVIN JOHNSON.
Each year that passed left the fan base hungrier for the next playoff win, and this season, 32 years later, it felt as realistic as ever. To appreciate what happened Jan. 14, though, I want to venture back to the previous playoff victory. History often repeats itself, and the nation of #AllGrit had dreamed of repeating Jan. 5, 1992, since it took place.
The 1991 Detroit Lions were ready to compete after years of quality draft classes.
The defense was anchored by an elite 1988 draft class that featured All-Pro linebacker Spielman and Pro Bowl safety Blades. Spielman was known for his grit, play recognition and work ethic, while Blades patrolled the secondary ready to take on any opponent who dared to come over the middle of the Pontiac Silverdome turf.
The offense had an elite line led by center Kevin Glover and left tackle Lomas Brown. Weapons like young-gun wide receivers Herman Moore and Willie Green made the midseason quarterback switch from Rodney Peete to Erik Kramer a smooth transition. Of course, having Sanders, then an electric third-year running back, at their disposal made life easier for the Lions.
The Lions’ opponent for the divisional round of the playoffs was the Dallas Cowboys, who were led by Hall of Fame coach JIMMY JOHNSON and finished the regular season 11-5. Dallas also featured Hall of Famers quarterback TROY AIKMAN, running back EMMITT SMITH and wide receiver MICHAEL IRVIN, who all made the 1991 Pro Bowl. Aikman was injured, and Steve Beuerlein finished the regular season 5-0 as the starter to help the Cowboys squeak by the Chicago Bears in the opening round of the playoffs.
You can watch the full game via the NFL YouTube channel, and I suggest all Lions fans do because the Pontiac Silverdome was rockin’.
The Lions jumped out early with a 31-yard touchdown pass from Kramer to Green and led 17-6 at halftime with Sanders having almost no impact on the game. Aikman would get his number called in the third quarter, replacing Beuerlein in an effort to provide a spark for the Cowboys. However, the route was on after two more Kramer touchdown passes in the third quarter made the score 31-6.
What happened next was the perfect ending for Lions fans: With the ball on the Dallas 47-yard-line in the fourth quarter, the legendary Pat Summerall after joking with Hall of Famer JOHN MADDEN on the broadcast about a “John Madden is Elvis” sign in the crowd, took us away as Cowboys defensive lineman Tony Casillas lost track of the ball carrier … “Sanders still on his feet … and Sanders is gone!
“Six Cowboys missed him!”
Then Summerall and Madden, understanding big moments like great broadcasters do, went silent, letting that moment speak for itself. They said nothing more.
For 32 seconds, they let the Silverdome erupt. For 32 seconds, they let #OnePride roar like never before.
When Sanders was drafted and said it was a “privilege to be one of the players that will help restore the roar in the ‘Dome,” this was what he meant. And Madden and Summerall, legendary for using their voices, understood that in that moment, the most impactful voice to be heard was the fans. That roar.
On Jan. 14, 2024, it was time to find out if Ford Field had that roar in it. Not the fabricated, popping blood vessels scream while the Rams are in the huddle. Not the one when you see the decibel radar on the big screen to see what number will be topped. The one that happened Jan. 5, 1992, when Sanders accelerated to the end zone.
There is a reason this year’s team feels different. It has that rare trait that great organizations often have: the team’s identity and the city’s identity are in perfect alignment.
Much like how the best Pittsburgh Steelers teams are as strong as steel, the best Philadelphia Eagles teams are underdog overachievers and the best San Franscisco 49ers teams are brilliant innovators, this version of the Detroit Lions is a blue-collar group that is overflowing with grit. That is how you get true backing from the fans. That is how you get the ultimate respect. That is how you get back that roar.
And you know what? It happened. And it did not take long.
It was the first series of the game.
From the Rams’ 1-yard line, the Lions were set to score a touchdown on their first possession of the game, and it was almost — eerie. On NBC’s broadcast, Cris Collinsworth even mentioned how quiet the stadium was as the anticipation mounted.
Then, on the Lions 10th offensive play from scrimmage, running back David Montgomery punched it into the end zone. And it happened … THE ROAR.
That touchdown — that eruption — set the tone in Detroit, and the madness didn’t stop.
Detroit Lions: You were due. Ford Field: You delivered.
The Roar is Restored.
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