On Wednesday, we polled Detroit Lions (-3.5)
Wager $10 on DET
To Beat MIN:
$15.41
Win by 3.5:
$19.26
To Lose:
$25.40
fans, asking them two questions for our latest SB Nation Reacts survey:
Are you confident the Lions are headed in the right direction? (weekly poll)
When should the Lions consider pulling their starters in Week 18?
With regards to the first survey question, here are the results we have seen throughout the season:
Following Week 1 win over Chiefs: 99%
Week 2 loss to Seahawks: 86%
Week 3 win over Falcons: 97%
Week 4 win over Packers: 99%
Week 5 win over the Panthers: 99%
Week 6 win over the Buccaneers: 99%
Week 7 loss to the Ravens: 95%
Week 8 win over Raiders: 98%
Week 9 bye week: 98%
Week 10 win over the Chargers: 99%
Week 11 win over the Bears: 97%
Week 12 loss to the Packers: 80%
Week 13 win over the Saints: 84%
Week 14 loss to the Bears: 58%
Week 15 win over the Broncos: 96%
Week 16 NFC North clinching win over Vikings: 98%
Week 17 controversial loss to the Cowboys: 98%
Following a loss typically results in a large drop in the confidence poll, but after the controversial ending to the Week 17 game against the Cowboys, Lions fans’ confidence in the direction of the team held steady at 98%.
With an NFC North Championship banner-raising event happening at Ford Field this Sunday, followed by a home playoff game the week after, Lions fans have a lot to be happy about right now.
As far as the second question—When should the Lions consider pulling their starters in Week 18?—the fans voting led to the following results:
Rest players with injuries: 34%
Pull in the second half: 24%
Pull starters with a two touchdown lead: 19%
Rest them all game: 14%
Play them all game: 9%
In Week 18, the Lions have two players—Jameson Williams and Brock Wright—who are dealing with injuries significant enough that they have already been ruled out. Beyond that, they have six more starters dealing with lingering injuries that shouldn’t limit them from playing, and two players expected to return from injured reserve.
If the Lions heed the fans’ advice, players like Frank Ragnow, Taylor Decker, Sam LaPorta, Cam Sutton, Benito Jones, Alim McNeill, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson could see limited action against the Vikings.
