As a sports fan, there are a lot of mental gymnastics you do. Positive self-talk, if you will, to try and convince yourself that everything is going to be all right even when most reliable indicators suggest otherwise.

As a Lions fan I am used to mental gymnastics. Being a Tigers fan has also helped keep me flexible and limber for the start of what typically is a rollercoaster of a season.

Earlier this week I jotted down some thoughts on what I will refer to as “Year of the Lion” and I mentioned waiting on the other shoe to drop. I’m not sure anything has me prepared for this, though. Mental gymnastics are tough.

After completing its best regular season (12-5) since 1991 and earning its first divisional title since 1993, the football gods surely could do better the long suffering faithful than this… 

You see, Detroit’s best team in 30 years will face the best quarterback in franchise history when Matt Stafford leads the LA Rams into Ford Field. 

The same Stafford who…

• Was traded to the Rams for current starting quarterback Jared Goff. 
• Immediately won a Super Bowl with the Rams in year one in the blue and gold. 
• Went from 5-11 in his last season to 12-5 on the left coast
• Led Detroit to three playoff appearances
• Never won a playoff game for the Lions – in fairness a very, very long list
• But then went 4-0 with nine passing touchdowns and two rushing to lead the Rams to the Super Bowl
• Was nicknamed the Monster of Motor City after becoming the fourth quarterback to surpass 5,000 passing yards in a season

Quotable
“I know it’s going to be rocking there,” Stafford said, via Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com. “Haven’t had a playoff game there about 30 years or whatever it is. So it’ll be a great atmosphere. It’ll be a tough task for us, but definitely excited.”

That’s not all “rocking”… there will be a lot of nervous fans doing lots of mental gymnastics. Kickoff is set for Sunday, Jan. 14 at 5:00 p.m.

This seems relevant
Did you know that since the franchise was founded in 1930, the Lions have somehow won seven (7) postseason games and just one (1992) in the Super Bowl era. I’m going to need to lie down… again.