Earlier within the week, myself and Erik Schlitt debated the legitimacy of what we’re calling the “Detroit Lions Hangover.” The speculation is that Lions opponents—win or lose—are so impacted by the sport in opposition to Detroit that they comply with up that sport with an entire letdown.
The proof after 4 weeks was fascinating.
Rams: Misplaced to Cardinals 41-10 after Lions gameBuccaneers: Misplaced to Broncos, 26-7 after Lions gameCardinals: Misplaced to Commanders, 42-14 after Lions sport
Nonetheless, I wasn’t too satisfied. The Rams and Cardinals have sufficient questions (and accidents) that might clarify getting blown out after their Lions sport.
Nevertheless, in Week 5, the NFL delivered its most compelling proof of the true existence of a “Detroit Lions hangover.” After dropping to the Lions on “Monday Evening Soccer,” the Seattle Seahawks have been again at house as 7.5-point favorites over the 1-3 New York Giants. New York’s solely win up to now had been a slim victory over a hapless Browns crew, they usually have been dealing with Seattle with out their star rookie receiver Malik Nabers.
But the Giants walked away with a convincing 29-20 victory over the Seahawks. And that closing rating doesn’t actually seize how lopsided the sport felt. New York seemingly would have gained by extra had they not had a goal-line fumble that was returned for a 102-yard scoop-and-score.
Do the Lions emotionally exhaust groups to some extent the place they’re drained the subsequent week? Are groups bodily overwhelmed by the Lions’ bodily play and nonetheless feeling the after-effects seven days later? Is that this the results of opponents giving it their all in opposition to Detroit, and having little left the subsequent week? Or is that this merely all an enormous coincidence?
We might by no means know, however this early development is actually fascinating.
