Lions, Packers and Seahawks, oh my!

A prime-time gift from Detroit put a playoff bow on a season which has showcased why Pete Carroll is a great coach.

I did not find the NFL’s Week 18 schedule to be the fairest arrangement possible.

In fact, I was infuriated by the league’s acquiescence to NBC’s desire to feature Aaron Rodgers in a win-and-in prime-time game, and while I stand by my objections … I will admit … that was an enjoyable way to watch Seattle reach the playoffs. In fact, I’m so hopped up by the game, I’ve kind of got a crush on Dan Campbell’s Lions right now, which means I should take a long, hard look at seasoned Detroit fans to understand the misery yielded by any extended affection for that woe-begone team.

Watching the Lions oust the Packers at Lambeau Field was certainly more satisfying than watching Seattle require overtime to beat a Rams team missing three of its four best players and starting a quarterback in Baker Mayfield who was picked up on the side of the road earlier this month. But as tempting as it may be to dwell on Seattle’s deficiencies both in Sunday’s game, and over the second half of the season, I’m going to encourage you to resist this urge. Focus on the flaws and you’ll miss the big picture as is the case of those poor fools who miss the forest because of all the trees. The big picture in this case: Pete Carroll has pulled off one of the best coaching jobs in his 13 years in Seattle.