Tis the season to be jolly, especially if you’re a Detroit Lions fan. It’s been a season of good tidings and great joy around the Motor City, with the 13-2 Lions in charge of their own playoff destiny with two weeks to play.
Whether you believe in Santa Claus or say Bah Humbug to the notion of Christmas magic, it never hurts to make a list and check it twice. We’ve been good and patient as fans, waiting for our time to shine. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and it’s a glorious freight train driven by Dan Campbell that leads to New Orleans and the franchise’s first-ever Super Bowl appearance.
So hang those stockings, leave some milk and football-shaped cookies by the mantle and believe that our Lions dreams really can come true. For so many years, we’ve asked for miracles to just no longer be bad. This year, it’s time to ask Santa for the biggest gift of all.
Merry Christmas, my fellow Lions fans. Here’s what I’d like under the Honolulu Blue and silver tree…
Good health and returns
Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (44) runs off the field after warm ups during the first quarter of the NFL game at Ford Field in Detroit on Oct. 27, 2024.
We’ve all had more than enough of the injuries. Here’s hoping the ghost of Lions’ Christmas future doesn’t need an orthopedic surgeon.
That also means full recoveries ahead of the 2025 season for players like Malcolm Rodriguez, Alim McNeill, Mekhi Wingo and others who have injuries that will extend well past the end of the postseason.
A passing title for Jared Goff
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 22: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions celebrates after a rushing touchdown against the Chicago Bears by teammate Jahmyr Gibbs (not pictured) during the first quarter at Soldier Field on December 22, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
Goff currently sits in second place in passing yardage for the season. He’s at 4,095 yards, a little more than 130 behind Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow, who enters Christmas with 4,229 passing yards. It won’t be easy for Goff to make up the margin, especially considering Burrow has attempted 85 more passes than Goff through the first 15 games.
A bye in the first round of the postseason
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 19: Head coach Dan Campbell celebrates a fourth quarter touchdown during a game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on November 19, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
The Lions have never been the No. 1 seed, not in the Super Bowl era. Two more wins and they will sit atop the NFL’s playoff tree, guaranteeing every game they would play before the Super Bowl would be at home–and after a first-round bye to help on the health front.
1,000 yards and an incident-free year from Jameson Williams
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – DECEMBER 05: Jameson Williams #9 of the Detroit Lions plays against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field on December 05, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
The 1,000 yards are within sight. Jamo has two games left and needs just 110 more receiving yards to make it. Williams had a career-high 152 in Chicago on Sunday.
Let’s make this Christmas thing last. Keeping the spotlight on Williams and his growing, special football prowess instead of everything else that winds up getting unwrapped on the naughty list with Jamo would make for a wonderful 2025. He’s shown he’s capable of greatness both on and off the field.
Coach of the Year for Dan Campbell
Dec 15, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell reacts after the Buffalo Bills scored a touchdown on their first play after recovering an onside kick attempt by the Lions in the fourth quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Speaking of the naughty list… last year, the voters did Campbell wrong. After being snubbed last year, this season it’s time to turn the lump of coal into the Coach of the Year award. There are quite a few good candidates, but none shine as bright as Dan Campbell.
(For the record, I am a voter and I will be voting for Campbell)
No more Tony Romo or Clete Blakeman
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell yells at safety Brian Branch (32) as Branch argues with referee Clete Blakeman (34) after being ejected from a game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Lions won the game, 24-14.
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
By now, the Lions have seen more than enough of referee Clete Blakeman and his questionable use of yellow stockings. Those who aren’t blessed to be within earshot of Dan Miller and Lomas Brown on the Lions radio network have hopefully heard the last of CBS broadcaster Tony Romo giving candy canes of positive commentary to Detroit’s opponents and boxes of empty praise to the Lions.
A Packers win over the Vikings
Nov 3, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) celebrates as he runs off the field following the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Sometimes, the holiday spirit requires some strange machinations. In this case, the enemy of my enemy is my (temporary) friend.
The Lions would greatly benefit if the Green Bay Packers knock off the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday afternoon. As difficult as it might be to root for the Cheeseheads, it’s a means to an end for bigger and better things to happen for the Lions.
A Super Bowl champonship
Feb 26, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Detailed view of the Super XLI Vince Lombardi Trophy to commemorate the Indianapolis Colts 29-17 victory over the Chicago Bears on Feb 4, 2007 at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dream big! The grandest present of all is under our Lions tree, waiting to be unwrapped in all its resplendent glory. May our Super Bowl dreams come true and we all celebrate together with a parade down Woodward Ave. Joy to the world!