Year 3 CFM - Detroit Lions - lyonsjor's Blog

lyonsjor's Blog

Year 3 CFM - Detroit Lions

Posted on September 2, 2016 at 01:44 PM.

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Just finished the 3rd year of my Lions Franchise. Posting below, but check out Year 1 and 2 summaries.

Year 3

Regular Season
Going into year 3, I was feeling optimistic. We just came off of a division winning year at 10-6. We lost in the wild card game big, but that was a big improvement from my first season at 4-12. I set my expectations for another 10 win season.

The team was mostly healthy besides Marvin Jones who struggled to stay on the field all year. It seemed like the CPU defensive gameplan finally caught on to my running success throughout last year and started to anticipate outside runs. It became tough for Riddick and Abdullah to get any solid yardage outside. I eventually started to rely more on Stafford and inside runs with varying results. We couldn't string together a series of wins of more than 3 games and often dropped two in a row. Towards the end of the season, Stafford stepped up delivering back to back 400+ yard performances. The next game, he stunk up the joint with 5 INTs at halftime, leading me to insert back up/rookie QB Mason Randolph who played well.

I went back with Stafford as I think he is the best chance to win overall, but it wasn't his day. I ended up getting him to sign a long-term extension after franchising him. Also, Tate and Abdullah were locked up long term.

Down the stretch, we were in the final Wild Card spot with two or three teams breathing down our neck and putting the pressure on the Lions. In the final game of the year, we were able to secure a wild card by handling the Dolphins easily thanks to some good running.

Season Awards/Notes
- Aaron Rodgers won his 2nd MVP in the last 3 years
- The Jags finished the year with the best record (14-2)
- Stafford threw for 3600 yards, 30 TDs, and 18 INTs
- Abdullah ended up with just over 1000 yards
- Tate and Paul Richardson ended up hauling in just over 800 yards each
- Myles Garrett ended up with 14.5 sacks

Playoffs
In our opening playoff game in the wild card, we faced the Rams who we lost to earlier in the season. The Lions D showed up and held the Rams to 13 points offensively. Abdullah broke one large run for a TD, but didn't have a ton of success otherwise, but it was enough for a 20-13 win.

The divisional matchup saw us face the dreaded Falcons offense. In two or three games against these cronies, they have dropped 40 points each time. My defense struggled again facing them on the road. Freeman ended up rushing for 280 yards and 3 TDs. Early on, I could tell that their approach was to not let me get off on the running game so I quickly switched into air attack mode. The first half ended with us down 27-7. The second half got a little crazy. Stafford threw all over the field and connected frequently with Paul Richardson. They hooked up for 274 yards and 3 TDs. With under two minutes left, Stafford pulled off another long drive to tie the game up at 42 and we headed into OT. Neither side was able to gain an advantage in OT until about 5 minutes left in the game. Stafford methodically moved the ball down the field and mixed in a couple of inside runs to put us in FG range. We ended up kicking the FG with about 4 minutes left and it sailed through sending us to the NFC Champ game! Stafford ended the game with a whopping 495 yards, 6 TDs, and 2 INTs. I only managed 50 yards on the ground.

The NFC championship was an all NFC North affair as the Lions traveled to Lambeau field to face MVP Aaron Rodgers and company. During the regular season, we split with each team winning at home. Now in the frozen tundra, it was certain to become a defensive struggle. Early on, Golden Tate provided a much needed boost by scoring two first half TDs. The Packers were game, however, as they notched two FGs . Late in the 3rd quarter, my Lions were driving deep in Green Bay territory, but a mistaken throw resulted in a redzone INT by Stafford. Rodgers took advantage of the costly TO and scored a TD making it 14-12. GB missed the 2 point conversion. Mid 4th quarter and the Lions are driving again, but are stopped short of making it too deep in GB territory and they have to settle for a 55 FG attempt in some wind. Matt Prater nails the tough kick making it 17-12. The 5 point spread proved to be huge moments later. With about 2 minutes left in the game, the Pack are in the redzone, but are forced to a 4th down play. They can no longer take the lead with a FG due to the 55 kick earlier and have to attempt a 4th down effort. Lions backup DE Zettel ends up sacking Rodgers and the Lions run the clock out as they advance to the Super Bowl to face the Cincinnati Bengals (9-6-1) who knocked off the Jags (14-2).

Super Bowl 53 is hosted in Miami and it appears that the Lions might have a tough one on their hands. The Bengals score a TD on their opening drive. Ameer Abdullah explodes in the first half. Off of an early TO for the Bengals, he runs left for a 15 yard TD. Then, after getting the ball back, he rips off a huge 75 yard TD. After a stalled Lions drive deep in their own territory, the Bengals strike back and block a punt for a safety, 14-9 Lions. The 2nd quarter we throw a screen pass to the right and Abdullah is all alone again for an 80 yard TD. Next possession with under two minutes left in the half, I run a seam route play and somehow the Bengals let Ameer get behind their DBs for an 81 yard passing TD, his fourth overall TD of the first half. The Bengals then quickly run down the field to get another first half TD. With only 30 seconds left in the, I elect to run a HB slam play up the middle with Theo Riddick to get to half time, but wait, there is a giant hole and Theo runs for 75 yards for the TD! An insane half of football with my Lions up 42-16. The second half is more subdued with the Lions playing it safe on the ground and the Bengals getting nothing going due to Myles Garrett and his 3 sacks. Final score ends up 48-19, Lions win! Abdullah ends up with 182 rushing yards, 161 rec yards, 5 TDs, and obviously the Super Bowl MVP. Riddick ends up with 115 yards and a TD of his own.

What a crazy year, ladies and gentlemen. Haven't advanced to the draft yet, but it should be interesting to have the target on our backs for once in this upcoming season.