IN CELEBRATION: City of Windsor flying Detroit Lions flag sending MAX Support

Before the Detroit Lions’ Divisional Round playoff game on Thursday afternoon, the city of Windsor, Ontario, performed a flag-raising ceremony to show its support and unity with the team’s supporters. The Canadian city, home to many Lions supporters, is situated just across the Detroit River from Detroit and enjoys social and commercial ties with the metropolis.

The Windsor Star reports that Councillor Renaldo Agostino of Ward 3 (downtown) organized the celebration and had the idea to raise a Lions flag outside City Hall. A fantastic video that includes quotes from Councillors Renaldo Agostino, Kieran McKenzie, Jim Morrison, and Angelo Marignani as well as the flag-raising incident was shared on the City of Windsor’s official Facebook page (thanks to CBS News Detroit for linking this in their story)

This is great. We appreciate all the support from our Canadian fans and #Lions Loyal Members. Looking forward to seeing you at @fordfield tomorrow! #OnePride https://t.co/47vSXt0SY1

— Rod Wood (@RodWood_Lions) January 20, 2024

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation noted that the Councillors had a positive message for the occasion. Jim Morrison: “You know, what’s really great is that we’re not thinking about all the bad things that are happening everywhere, and this is bringing Detroit and Windsor together.” Next, we have Councillor Agostino’s statement:

“We are South Detroit, not Detroit. We are demonstrating our support for our brothers and sisters across the border. At a special hoisting of a Detroit Lions flag at Windsor city hall on Thursday, Ward 3 Councilman Renaldo Agostino commented, “There’s a lot of Lions fans here.”

“The one thing that unites us all,” declared Agostino. “This is the land of football.” We have to embrace the fact that this is a special moment for us.

Additionally, local Windsor businesses verified that Lions fever and sales of Lions gear are on the rise following the team’s playoff victory over the Los Angeles Rams last week, according to CBC reporting. The Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association released a news release discussing the economic benefits of the Lions’ success, which was referenced in both the Windsor Star piece and the CBC story on Thursday’s flag-raising event.

The forthcoming game, according to Chris MacLeod, chair of the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association, is both “a catalyst for downtown and regional economic vitality” and “history in the making for our U.S. neighbor.”

“We are thrilled to have guests and supporters in Downtown Windsor. In a DWBIA news release, MacLeod extolled the virtues of the two-nation destination and the robust cross-border link between Detroit and Windsor, saying that the recent upsurge in economic activity will bear witness to both.

In preparation for additional business on Sunday, MacLeod observed that numerous Windsor establishments have increased worker levels and hours.

We expect to see a large turnout from the international contingent this weekend. You love to witness such passion. We’ll leave you with this amazing interview that CBC Windsor’s Amy Dodge had last week (prior to the Rams game) with some season ticket holders who excelled in Gridiron Heroes at the studio.
We honor our fellow Canadian Lions supporters and hope to see you all at a raucous Ford Field on Sunday. The remainder of your Weekend Notes are as follows:

Watch the most recent All-22 film videos that Meko and Morgan have uploaded to our Pride of Detroit YouTube page if you haven’t already. presently.

LaPorta declared, “Fridays are our red-zone day.” Jim Hostler is one of our pass-game coordinators and spends a lot of time in our room working with the tight ends. “If you don’t get the ball on the initial route, what do you think you’re going to do?” he casually intimated to me. “I guess I never thought about that, Hos,” I exclaimed. I’ll most likely tuck it in. Yes, that’s fantastic, he says. However, he did just mention that to me and hint at it.

In a memorable one-point victory, that hint turned out to be worth seven points.

LaPorta drew a fantastic coverage matchup on that play, which is quite neat.

That put LaPorta in a one-on-one with Michael Hoecht, a 310-pound edge rusher.

There’s a little mismatch there, and LaPorta was going free around the back of the end zone when Goff launched a bullet that struck him.

LaPorta grinned and remarked, “Then of course the first person I see on the sideline is Hos, looking at me out of the corner of his eye.” “I thought, ‘It was exactly as you said, Hos.'”

Michael Hoecht dropped into coverage 19 times (!) for the Rams last night and was targeted six times.

All six targets went for 1st downs+touchdowns. No other defender allowed more YAC. pic.twitter.com/EfNQYlDEfy

— AJ Schulte (@AJSchulteFB) January 15, 2024

I’m grateful, Coach Hostler. I really appreciate it.

LINKED

Why, in 2023, the Detroit Lions were a “destination” for prospective coaches
The Detroit Lions Breakdown podcast featuring Joe Kania and Erik Schlitt’s preview of the Divisional Round is available. The whole 107 minutes of audio are available for streaming on their website in a web player or on a number of podcast services.

The Lions are expected to win according to FTN’s Scott Spratt’s DVOA-based preview, which was provided on Friday.
All readers can now access a previously paywalled piece by Justin Rogers of the Detroit News that explains the effects on offensive coordinator Ben Johnson’s system. The article is quite detailed even though it was published in September. Many thanks to Rogers for obtaining the unlock code from his superiors. In another piece that was published on Friday, Rogers discussed safety Tracy Walker’s difficult season; once more, it was available to all readers without charge.

Before this season, I sat down with Lions OC Ben Johnson to unravel the influences on his scheme and his coaching approach.

It was a subscriber piece, but given the current national interest, we've unlocked it. Lions fans, it's still worth your time. https://t.co/tn5W45PwkZ

— Justin Rogers (@Justin_Rogers) January 20, 2024

ESPN’s Eric Moody and Seth Walder both think the Lions will beat the Bucs on Sunday.
Pete Prisco of CBS predicts that the two NFC home teams will fall in the Divisional Round.
However, Tyler Sullivan of CBS believes that the Lions will easily defeat the Bucs at home.
Four of the five members of the Around the NFL staff panel that made their selections for their Game Picks article are selecting the Lions over the Buccaneers.
To find out more about the significance of the Lions’ playoff victory last week, MLive’s Kyle Meinke spoke with supporters.
About their “stories of heartbreak and triumph,” he wrote.
This is really awesome. Red Hot Chili Peppers player Chad Smith
was present to perform a solo during the pregame phase of the Lions vs. Rams game.

Chad Smith and One Pride Entertainment fired up @Lions fans ahead of last Sunday’s Wild Card W 🥁 pic.twitter.com/VYrcpQkJcm

— Ford Field (@fordfield) January 19, 2024

Dan Miller was a special guest of MLive’s Kyle Meinke and Ben Raven in their most recent Dungeon of Doom Podcast episode. The Lions’ voice talked on the team’s victory over the Rams in the playoffs, the team’s next playoff matchup against the Bucs, and he revealed to the hosts his favorite play from the team’s Week 6 victory over the Bucs—hint: it’s a huge block. The complete 54-minute audio file is available for streaming on Spotify’s website.
Naturally, Marc Ross of NFL.com thinks the Lions ought to pick up All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell’s fifth-year option. As a one-time original ballot Pro Bowl selection (Sewell was an alternate in 2023), OverTheCap presently forecasts that Sewell’s \

fifth-year option will cost just over $19.7 million.