Funny, in a few short years Holmes and Campbell have totally wiped thoughts of Same Old Lions out of my mind. It’s almost like a different franchise. Even after losing the 24-7 halftime lead to SF, I felt that was a huge missed opportunity but never felt the loss was because the Lions were cursed or destined never to win or it’s the latest in the long line of crazy losses. It just seemed like the moment getting a bit too big for the Lions and losing to a slightly more talented team on the road. Similarly, if the Lions lose to Washington it will feel like a stand-alone fluke and horrible loss, nothing to do with history. If they lose in the NFC Championship game, it will be frustrating but not SOL. I don’t expect them to lose even while knowing they very well might. In contrast, I don’t think Red Sox or Cubs fans really put thoughts of a final crazy twist out of their mind until the final out.