Notes: The Ringer perfectly captures Lions fans’ emotions ahead of Rams game

Grab a tissue for this one, folks.

It’s not easy to put into words what Detroit Lions fans and players have been through all these years.

The heartbreak, the disappointment and even apathy at times — it’s hard to chronicle all that history and what it all felt like. But Ben Solak did a fantastic job bringing readers through the journey from the lowest of the lows to where the team is today in a great piece for “The Ringer” that will not just tug, but yank on the heart strings.

Solak starts at the bottom of the pit, talking with longtime Lions writer Mike O’Hara. Having been on the beat since 1977, O’Hara’s seen the franchise at its lowest.

“They were just a bunch of guys who went out and played a game on Sunday and had nothing to do with the fans,” O’Hara told Solak, referencing players under some of the more difficult regimes, including Matt Patricia’s reign. “You didn’t see kids wearing Lions jerseys.”

He spoke to former Lion now radio color commentator Lomas Brown, who described everyone as jaded.

“You just kind of sit there, and you anticipate something bad is going to happen. Something bad has to happen,” Brown told him.

I don’t want to give away too much, but the article does a wonderful job of explaining just how low things were that you’ll find yourself saying “Yes!!” or “ugh, exactly.” That’s why the other half of the piece bringing you to where the Lions are now is oh so satisfying.

As we inch closer and closer to the big game — the Lions are hoping to win their first playoff game since January 1992 — this is a must-read to help you remember just how far Detroit has come.

And onto the rest of your notes.

• It’s all or nothing for Ceedy Duce.

• The Lions have hosted six playoff games in their franchise history. A to Z Sports’ Mike Payton dives into Detroit’s rich— er, limited experiences with playoffs.

• Despite not being on the list below, Detroit still has a shot at playing an international game in 2024.

• Taylor Decker retweeted this picture of a fan with an EPIC jersey. Outstanding.

• The whole Stafford jersey thing is stupid, but if you don’t think so: Detroit realtor Jeff Glover (who actually convinced me to get a house fun fact) is offering a new Lions jersey in exchange for your Stafford one.

• Just making sure you saw Meko and Morgan breakin’ down some film.

Full video is here: