Wildcard Weekend

The past three days have been filled with football in the Heinisch family.  Wildcard weekend has become a favorite time for the sports enthusiasts in our family.  We started watching on Saturday afternoon and ended late last night.  The winter storm and the windchill forced the Bills game to be moved from Saturday to Monday, but the Chiefs did play with windchills well below zero.  

Most of the games ended up being non-events with a lopsided victory for the winners.  The best and closest game of the weekend came on Sunday night when the Lions played the Rams.  It was obviously the game that we were most invested in with Cameron's love of the Detroit team.  Even Cal joined in rooting for the Lions as he had bet on them to win.  The hype was big in the football world as well. Especially since, several years ago the Rams traded their quarterback, Jared Goff, for the Lions longtime QB, Matthew Stafford, who led them to a Super Bowl win in his first year with the LA team.  From the media attention before the game, it was apparent that it would mean a lot to Goff to win and prove his former leadership wrong.  I loved that Lions fans wore old Stafford jerseys with tape over his name.  Even Eminem joined the pre-game show, talking about his love for his hometown team Lions.  

The game held up to all of the hype.  The Lions scored early and easily, but that didn't discourage the Rams' offense as they scored as well and at halftime the Lions were only ahead 21-17.  Defense held strong in the second half for both teams with the Lions stopping the Rams last drive guaranteeing their win with just two first downs at 24-23.  It was the Lions first playoff game at home in 30 years.  I was glad to hear that David was in the third row watching it in person as he was the one who was credited with starting Cameron's love of the Detroit team.

I called Cameron after the game and he was crying.  He was so happy that they won.  Two weeks ago when an incorrect call cost the Lions the game against Dallas, he thought that their chances of winning in the playoffs were over.  Now, they have a legitimate chance of winning the NFC championship.  It should be an exciting game against Tampa Bay next weekend.