Game against Cleveland Browns is Jim Schwartz’s first ‘must-win’ as head coach.

Gather ’round, Detroit Lions fans.

I want to explain something before we get to the meat of this post.

See, your Honolulu Blue and Silver-ed pussycats are entering strange territory this sunday at The Clunker against the Cleveland Browns.

The Lions are actually considered a “favorite” by the people who determine how many points one team would give the other should two people decide to partake in a friendly wager, and want the playing field to be level.

The Lions faithful might not be too familiar with this “favorite” term, but it indicates Detroit is the better team.

We’re not saying that losing to the lowly Browns — a team currently ranked dead last in total offense and total defense — means head coach, Jim Schwartz will get the ax.  Far from it. (I mean, we know how “quickly” ownership reacts around these parts.)

But the fact of the matter is that the Browns are terrible.  Maybe even terrible-er than last year’s winless Lions.

They change quarterbacks more often than I change my newborn’s diapers.

Head coach Eric Mangini‘s own players — those manly, steely football players — are starting to complain about his tough practice regiment.

Losing breeds a lax attitude and a general unwillingness to give up one’s body when you know defeat is inevitable.

We in Detroit know this all too well.

Even with a similar record, the Lions should have to win this game.

At home. Favored. Facing a team that has given up.

In the past, the Lions usually lose this type of game, but it’s Schwartz’s first opportunity to show the fans in Detroit that his regime is different; this team is different. 

In a season when losing has, once again, become commonplace, actually winning a game deemed winnable by just about everyone would show this team has it in them, and they’re on the right path.

But if they lose?

Let’s just be thankful the game is blacked out.