After patiently waiting for years, the Detroit Lions are finally a force to be reckoned with in the NFL.

Currently their record is 6-2, earning them the top ranking in the NFC North.

In the past, losing games at the last moment has frequently disappointed diehard Detroiters, but in the recent games against New Orleans and Atlanta these down-to-the-last-second games have been beneficial. The refs did their jobs beautifully in these two games, since a single penalty worked out in the Lions’ favor and has directly earned them two wins.

Let’s not forget the dreaded 2008 season, when the Lions became the first team in NFL history to go 0-16.

I’d like to say the Lions’ luck has changed, but I wouldn’t be giving new head coach Jim Caldwell enough credit. Since Caldwell came to Detroit, fans like myself restored confidence in the Lions.

I’m trying not to get ahead of myself, though. I had faith in the Lions at this time last year when they were 5-3, but then they managed to only win two more games ending their season 7-9. But this year will be different. Even without key players like Calvin Johnson and Reggie Bush, games have been hard fought but eventually won.

The future match-ups in store for the Lions will be no easy feat. The Lions will play the first and third ranked teams in the NFL, along with three divisional clashes.

Being a Lions fan will always be a risk. They are ranked second in the National Football Conference and fourth in the league, but nobody knows how long that will last. I just plan to ride the roller coaster of the remaining season in store for the Lions, praying it will be more like a stable kiddie coaster than the tall peaks and drops of the Millenium Force.