**Twentyman:** Not at all. I've been doing this long enough to know that the first month of the season is really an extension of training camp. The brand of football we see in September vs. November and December is so different.
Do I still want to see this Lions team play better in all three phases? Absolutely.
But that's a Saints team I think will be much better than people think and has a chance to win the NFC South. The Bills were my favorites to win the AFC heading into the season. That was a tough matchup on a short week at their new place.
I think these next three weeks will tell us a lot about this football team with games vs. the Jets and at the Panthers and Cardinals. If they clean up some of these issues, particularly limiting the explosive plays on defense, the angst surrounding the Lions and their start will ease.
I remember back in 2023 when they lost to Seattle Week 2 and then went to Baltimore a few weeks later and got blown out by the Ravens. The questions surfaced if this team could compete atop the NFC. Detroit ended the season in the NFC Championship Game. Take the first month or so of the season with a grain of salt.