Caldwell Can’t Get Over the Hump
For the second time in three seasons, Jim Caldwell has led the Lions to the NFC wildcard round; and yet another wildcard loss. Historically, getting to the playoffs is an accomplishment for the Lions franchise, but if Detroit is serious about winning a Super Bowl, that standard needs to change.
I had posted earlier in the year about how the mid-season schedule was going to be do or die for the Lions, and that ended up being the truth. The Lions went 4-1 in that stretch, while having a 5-6 record the rest of the season.
Despite the emergence of Stafford, Caldwell and crew could not get the Lions to play well consistently. Their 1-3 start and 0-3 finish absolutely buried their division championship hopes. To make matters even worse, the Lions 0-3 finish came at a time when their fate was in their own hands. A 2-1 record, or just a win against the Packers in that final stretch would have assured the Lions a division title and a home playoff game. Instead, the Lions played some of their most disjointed and dysfunctional football of the season, backing into the playoffs on a three game losing skid.
The Caldwell led Lions have felt like they’ve been in a rut for a while now. Being good enough to beat mediocrity, yet bad enough to lose to playoff teams consistently, spells doom for a franchise. That type of stagnant standing absolutely kills fan-bases, as fans realize that their team is neither getting a stud in the draft, or a shot at the Lombardi trophy. If the Lions fail to make the playoffs, or are bounced in the first round next season, don’t be surprised if Caldwell is fired.