I have been doing the Woodward Sports Network Detroit Lions Postgame show for a little over 2 full seasons. The first 2 years totaling 4 whole wins for the Lions. When the Lions won, because it was so few and far between, Anson and I would pop a bottle of champagne.

As much as I love this tradition, all good things must come to an end.

After the dominate win vs the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on Sunday, Anson and I decided to stop “popping bottles”. Not because we are done celebrating victories. We are done celebrating games Detroit is supposed to win. The Detroit Lions have evolved, so should we.

The Brand New Lions are no longer the loveable losers. They no longer need the, almost mock, celebration of small victories by drinking champagne. When Detroit takes the field on Sunday’s they are now expected to produce. This is the new standard that has been set over the past 9 weeks.

The Lions at 7-2 over the past 9 games. When they have dropped a game, they have bounced back and won 3 in a row after each of their previous 2 losses.

After the Carolina loss there were some questions if that was a “bad game” or was that who Dan Campbell’s team really was? Sunday we got our answer. The Lions had a down game vs Carolina. That was an exception, not the rule. Detroit is real.

That is why we have to retire the champagne. It is now reserved for BIG WINS, not all wins, for the Detroit Lions.

Like this next week vs the Packers, that will be a massive win. Especially if Seattle does their part and loses.

I think this is a massive tipping point for the Lions franchise and its fans. The new floor has been set. Ironically it’s the same floor Jim Caldwell was fired for. But this isn’t about looking in the past its about looking towards the future.

Lions teams will now be held to a higher standard. Or just a standard period.

While I enjoyed the bubbly, its time to evolve with the team. I couldn’t be happier to move the goal posts on this.

Cheers to you Lions. Now lets get that Playoff Champagne. I hear it tastes pretty sweet.