Finally the Lions are Legit

SOUTHGATE -- This is the moment we've waited nearly a decade for.

This was the team we were promised seven years ago and never got. The Lions are legit. They entered the world of NFC playoff contenders Sunday by pounding the Chicago Bears 16-7 Sunday at Soldier Field.

I guess we in the media can really kiss Mike Furrey's butt now. They are 5-2 and have eliminated the Bears from contention. So it was a sweet double dip for the Lions and I am sure the plane ride home will be enjoyable.

It certainly was for the Lion fans here at Mallie's who came to watch the game. They broke into the Lions fight song as soon as the game ended.

I was not buying into the Lions until they got a legitimate road victory. Even though the Bears are shells of what they were last season, this was a legit victory. It makes the Lions dangerous and ferocious because they beat a desperate team that was good enough to make it to the Super Bowl last season.

You knew things were different when Jason Hanson kicked that 52-yard field goal that hit the up rights and bounced in for three just before the first half. You knew things were different when the Lions made the foolish decision to kick to Devin Hester, but matched the Bears touchdown with a nice drive and a field goal.

You knew things were different when maligned lineman George Foster was pushing Brian Urlacher around. And finally you knew things were different when Kevin Jones fumbled midway in the fourth quarter and the Lions defense held with Gerald Alexander picking off a Brian Griese toss into the end zone.

Quarterback Jon Kitna warned us that things were different. But many of us, me included, refused to buy into it because we've been burned by the Lions before. This playoff draught has reached the ridiculous stage. It is about time the Lions get in.

If they do get in it will be because of the one area we respected most. The Lions defense was nearly flawless. They put pressure on quarterback Brian Griese and forced four turnovers. Oh yes, I forgot one more thing. They out rushed the Bears by a 2-1 margin and they turned the ball over while the Bears had three turnovers.

Dewayne White, who wanted a chance to prove he was good enough, has been a monster. The rest of the team is menacing and is playing with a swagger.

Receiver Roy Williams said some in the media were rooting for the Lions to lose. I can only speak for myself. I rooted for the team to get rid of Matt Millen because he is not competent enough to bring a winner here.

I still feel that way. And I find it interesting that the Lions are finally turning it around when much of his power was taken away. If the Lions are indeed legit Mike Martz and Rod Marinelli deserve more credit than Millen.

But that's besides the point. The Lions are half way toward Kitna's dream of a 10-win season. It is time to enjoy the Lions rather than bash them.

I can be reached at Terry.Foster@detnews.com or 313-222-1494. You can also listen to me and Mike Valenti on the Sports Inferno show on 97.1 FM and 1270 AM