Bills vs. Lions is part of the TPOL Won’t Visit All 50 States And That’s OK Trip Report.
I have already written about how I procured $200 standing-room-only tickets to the Lions-Bills game (see Bills vs. Lions: Ticket Scalping When No Tickets Are Available). Now, let me tell the story in pictures of how I went from standing to sitting comfortably in the 4th row.
Tailgate
I went to the Eastern Market for the tailgate. If you love Vancouver or Brooklyn, you’ll like this enclave of Detroit. Needless to say, I did not enjoy it.
What I did like was Vivio’s Detroit Eastern Market’s take on a Bloody Mary. 
TPOL’s Tip: Vivio’s is located at 2460 Market St, Detroit, MI 48207, United States
TPOL’s Tip: Vivio’s has a shuttle to Ford Field.
The Motor City
I am not a fan of the Big Three. I don’t care for GM because I was unceremoniously fired (read Everyone’s Advice Is Wrong . . . Including Mine). I do not care for Stellanttis, formerly known as Daimler Chrysler, because they produce the most boring cars in the world (Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, DS, Fiat, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram Trucks, Vauxhall), second only to Ford. And speaking of Ford, I do not like Ford because they have owned the Detroit Lions since 1961 and have delivered nothing but misery to their fans. The doom and gloom is not exclusive to Lions fans. Players feel it too. Barry Sanders, the greatest running back of all time, quit in his prime. Calvin Johnson, one of the greatest wide receivers, did as well. Both were ostracized from the Lions family. Calvin Johnson actually had his signing bonus clawed back.
Ford Field
But now that we are winning, the family has come back together, meeting at Ford Field.
Seats
I don’t know how they get away with selling rectangles of tape as ‘seats,’ but I found the best spot.
The Lions family did not stay together long. By the middle of the third quarter, the Lions unfaithful started to leave. I seized on this opportunity by taking their seats.
Grit? Or Stupidity?
With twelve minutes in the fourth, the Lions’ coach decided to go for an onside kick. This was promptly run back by the Bills resulting in a touchdown. It was one of the dumbest calls I have ever seen. Many Lions fans love Campbell’s grit. I fear his stupidity will come back to break our hearts which have been broken in countless, indescribable, inconceivable ways many times before.
Result
In the end, the Bills won. But I can say that these aren’t the same old Lions. They have a chance to do something special.
Overall
Growing up my two favorite teams were the Bills and the Lions. Both have found ways to ruin my Sunday. When I went to this game, I was torn as to which team I would support. Call it self-preservation, but I ended up going with the Bills. It remains to be seen whom I will support if they both miraculously make it for the Super Bowl rematch.
How ‘bout them Devils!?
Rather than blowing it, it was sort of reversed….horrible first quarter that looked like a bloodbath, and from there on they were thrilling, gritty, et al.
Two TD’s AND two 2 point conversions. I’ve never before seen a team that needed that at the end to go to OT actual accomplish it.
And don’t get me started on the “not targeting” call that would have Devils with a first and ten on the Longhorn side of the field in the 4th!
For sure it was targeting but in the end they were the Devils, 4th and 13 for the L. They had a special player. I doubt they do well for another twenty years. Now I sound like a true Devils fan. I need to get some new Sparky gear.