Another trip to the frozen tundra

It is not a "little known secret" that the Leos have lost 18 consecutive games in the state of Wisconsin. Most people connect that fact with the rise of the beast known as Favre, but I'm going to contend that there is something a little more sinister than the undecided one.

Another thing that is not a "little known secret" is that the Lions are a dome team. For more than 30 years the Honolulu blue has played all of its home games in the environmentally controlled Silverdome and, now, Ford Field.

Below is a list of all 18 nightmarish defeats at the hands of the green and gold. (I also included the last Lions victory in 1991. Why? Because any talk of the '91 season makes me smile...gives me hope...)

1991 Week 16 15-Dec W 21-17 at Green Bay Packers
1992 Week 14 6-Dec L 38-10 at Green Bay Packers at Milwaukee, WI
1993 Week 12 21-Nov L 26-17 at Green Bay Packers at Milwaukee, WI
1994 Week 10 6-Nov L 38-30 at Green Bay Packers at Milwaukee, WI
1994 Wild Card Playoff L 16-12 at Green Bay Packers
1995 Week 7 15-Oct L 30-21 at Green Bay Packers
1996 Week 10 3-Nov L 28-18 at Green Bay Packers
1997 Week 10 2-Nov L 20-10 at Green Bay Packers
1998 Week 1 6-Sep L 38-19 at Green Bay Packers
1999 Week 11 21-Nov L 26-17 at Green Bay Packers
2000 Week 15 10-Dec L 26-13 at Green Bay Packers
2001 Week 1 9-Sep L 28-6 at Green Bay Packers
2002 Week 10 10-Nov L 40-14 at Green Bay Packers
2003 Week 2 14-Sep L 31-6 at Green Bay Packers
2004 Week 14 12-Dec L 16-13 at Green Bay Packers
2005 Week 14 11-Dec L 16-13 at Green Bay Packers (OT)
2006 Week 15 17-Dec L 17-9 at Green Bay Packers
2007 Week 17 30-Dec L 34-13 at Green Bay Packers
2008 Week 17 28-Dec L 31-21 at Green Bay Packers

OK, the first thing I take away from this list is...damn, I hate the Packers. Sorry. Secondly, I see that almost all of these games occur in November and December. Only 3 times in the last twenty years have the Lions played at Green Bay in the first half of the season. Seems like an egregious scheduling issue to me. How can that be fair that the Lions have played 85% of their games against the Packers at a time of year when their home field advantage is at it's fullest strength? This is a dome team that is not supposed to play well in freezing weather.

So this year is first time in six years the Lions will play at Green Bay before November 1st--only the fourth time in the last 21 years. And the number of the beast, #4, is no longer "slingin' it" for the old meat packers.

What are the chances the Lions end the streak?

Well, what do the Lions have going for them, other than the calendar?

The Packers (2-2) lead the league in sacks allowed (20) and they've played one less game than most. Their usual starting RT, Mark Tauscher, held out throughout all of training camp and only signed a new contract this week. Tauscher is not expected to play. Chad Clifton, the starting LT, has been injured most of the season. He is questionable for this week against the Lions. Maybe the Lions will be able to get to the quarterback!

But not likely, Detroit has the worst secondary in the NFL.

Would cheerleaders help? No.

The Packers are 18th in total defense and 15th in scoring defense, both ahead of the Lions.

And on top of that, the Lions may be without Franchise Savior Matt Stafford again.

There are several major streaks the Lions happen to be on the wrong side of:
1. 18 straight losses @ Green Bay.
2. 14 straight losses on the road
3. The Lions have never won @ Washington
4. The Lions haven't won @ San Francisco since 1975...34 years.

The Leos could slay #1 and 2 off this list with a miracle on Sunday. Matt Stafford slayed 0-19...

It's possible, but not likely.

Prediction:
Green Bay 34 Detroit 26