ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- For a while, it looked like the Detroit Lions were headed on a similar path to last season. They had lost three games in a row, including to two of the worst teams on their schedule.
Every game was close, but there were myriad issues -- particularly defensively and with penalties -- that were sending the Lions to another season where postseason possibilities were essentially extinguished before the middle of the season.
And considering where Detroit was at this point a year ago -- having fired its offensive coordinator and offensive line coach a week earlier only to fire team president Tom Lewand and general manager Martin Mayhew during Week 9 last season -- there is progress.