Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions
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Michigan is a football-loving state. Whether our teams are winning or losing, we're there, cheering with them during victories and losses.
The Detroit Lions are the darlings of the NFL, and they’re on a winning streak that will hopefully lead them to another win on Sunday, October 5, when they take on the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 5. Even in years when the Lions weren’t doing well, they had a strong base of supporters in Michigan. Let’s face it, even in the decades, not just years, the team was tanking, they still had loyalists by their side, this girl included.
So, Michigan is really a football-loving state. Whether our teams are winning or losing, we’re there, cheering with them from victories to heartbreaking losses. That’s what makes the news that dropped on Friday, October 3, even more difficult to hear. Brace for disappointment, because the state is losing one of its biggest football leagues.
Michigan Football Team Is Out
On Friday, October 3, the UFL confirmed that the Michigan Panthers will not be based in Detroit or Michigan next season. They’re moving, it’s official, and they’re going to announce their new home next week.
“After a thorough analysis of all markets and venues, the United Football League has made the difficult decision to depart from the Michigan, Memphis and San Antonio markets,” UFL CEO and president Russ Brandon said in a statement. “Unfortunately, due to stadium constraints, the available venues in these areas do not align with our new vision of focusing on smaller, more intimate settings that elevate the fan experience.”
It’s expected that the UFL will still be an eight-team football league in 2026. Five of the teams will be able to stay in their current cities: the Birmingham Stallions, Arlington Renegades, D.C. Defenders, St. Louis Battlehawks and Houston Roughnecks.
Okay, so, even as a football enthusiast, it was certainly hard to get into the Panthers every spring. But, it still hurts to see them go. They played at Ford Field, of course, and brought a little bit of football life to the city during the offseason. Reach out to me with your thoughts.
Detroit Lions Quarterback Jared Goff Gets Props
Onto the Detroit Lions. Quarterback Jared Goff is simply on fire this season. In a piece out on Wednesday, October 1, Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports named Goff the No. 3 best quarterback in the league right now.
Ever since Detroit’s tough start against the Packers, Goff’s been locked in as the machine-like pocket passer he is when provided decent protection,” he says. “He’s hitting close to 74% of his throws while driving the NFL’s top-scoring attack.” He also adds that, “No matter how you slice it, the guys who touch the ball on just about every play make a difference.”
As for power rankings, in the NFL’s latest power rankings going into Week 5, out on Tuesday, September 30, Eric Edholm of the NFL’s website puts the Lions at No. 3. So, it sounds like three is a lucky number for the team.
“Detroit was not prolific offensively against Cleveland, but no one has been this season,” Edholm says. “Still, this is the second time in four games where the Lions have been kept somewhat grounded on offense, even if they’ve taken good care of the football. Committing five offensive penalties was out of character, and Detroit’s still trying to hone the connection between Jared Goff and Jameson Williams.”
So, while Goff is often an underrated signal-caller, but this season, any fantasy player would be lucky to have him on their squad this season.