There are many factors that affect the outcome of a football match. It’s impossible to point to anything as the difference between victory and defeat, especially in a close match.
However, on Thursday night in Kansas City, Lions fans helped make a difference.
It was supposed to be a coronation, a celebration. The moment when everyone in the building celebrated the Super Bowl win and captured the playoff feeling of a 1-0 start. This isn’t Los Angeles, where many Rams fans yawned at the prospect of unfurling a banner and infiltrating Bills fans. This is the arrowhead. One of the biggest and best advantages of local stadiums in football.
It wasn’t as big as usual Thursday night, thanks to Lions fans who showed up early and made a lot of noise to support their team.
I noticed it the minute we walked out for the NBC pre-show. Lions fans gathered along the sideline behind the visiting team’s benches. As the match approached, they became louder. “Let’s go black!” Hymn erupted.
How did the team not notice this? How could they not take some solace in the idea that they didn’t play the Washington Generals to Mahomes and the Globetrotters? When the Lions came out before the game (I know it’s easy to say that now), I sensed something in their behaviour. (At least I chose them to cover the spread.)
The Chiefs could still win the game. It was important that they did not have defensive tackle Chris Jones and tight end Travis Kelce. Moreover, the leaders had many self-inflicted wounds. In many moments they were caught by ropes and did not know how to respond. Too many mistakes from too many players who need to step up and make a difference. There’s a lot of effort that goes into getting nice looks in short yardage and not just taking the ball right up the middle. There are plenty of examples of Andy Reid not performing as well as he usually does when he has extra time to prepare for a game.
We felt the Lions’ takeover on Wednesday, when more and more Lions fans started showing up in Kansas City. It was a surprise; It reminded me of the days leading up to Super Bowl XLVIII in New York, when many thought the Broncos would win — and when Seahawks fans gradually and steadily took over the city.
No, it does not directly affect what happens on the field. Yes, it makes a difference for uniformed humans who feel very little of the stuff that comes from expecting to see a sea of red and seeing a continuous wave of Honolulu blue instead.
It will be interesting to see if this continues in future road games, starting in Week 4 on Thursday night at Lambeau Field. There are many Lions fans who have been waiting and waiting (and waiting) for a reason to embrace their team. They are now. And their presence and voice can help make a difference for their team.
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