The Detroit Lions can now see the promise after the “empty” defeat against the Titans

These are strange days in the Detroit Lions fan base, with the head coach calling a 52-14 win “bittersweet.”

And then follows The word with The Phrase:

“There’s a bit of this feeling of emptiness.”

If Dan Campbell is feeling a little “empty” after his Lions' win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, the way Alabama beat Vanderbilt earlier, what might you be feeling?

The same?

NO?

I wouldn't have thought that. At least not quite yet.

LIONS LEVEL: Special teams were exemplary in decimating the Titans 52-14

Yes, the lack of a pass rush is concerning, and the offense had a relatively poor day, and if injuries continue to occur, we'll all be talking about the unseen forces in the universe designed to troll this city.

But we're not there yet. The Lions won… Wait, let me get the score… oh yeah, 52-14. They are 6-1 for the first time since 1956. Their head coach does national commercials. And their quarterback can't go anywhere without hearing his name chanted.

So, of course, let the coach be the coach and approach a scoreboard demolition with an “empty feeling” and a “bittersweet” feeling because, hey, he's a coach, and that's what coaches do, and also He saw what we saw and his team wasn't as sharp as before, except for the special teams.

That brings us to Kalif Raymond, who had 190 return yards on Sunday, scored on a 90-yard punt return and caught a touchdown pass – his mere presence almost makes Campbell's head cloud over his eyes a little.

“He's been outstanding,” Campbell said, “with his confidence and everything he brings to us as a player.” But he's really – he's everything – I can stand here and talk about Leaf all day. What a stallion he is. But he's just one of those guys. He’s one of those guys.”

One of these guys?

One of those guys.

Basic people. Maybe not in talent, but definitely in temperament. A professional, as the cliche goes, not to diminish the importance of being a professional.

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But not just a professional. Raymond is a thinker, and his gift for speed and insight – it's a fine art to watch him bounce back from a setback and twist defenders – isn't the only thing he has to offer. He is confident and selfless, and as he said on Sunday when he took to the podium for a rare appearance in the post-game media room:

“This game is such a short part of your life.”

In his situation, yes, like most players who compete in the NFL. Enjoy moments like Sunday, he said; 90-yard punt returns for touchdowns are rare. This also applies to 38-point victories, no matter how they come about.

As for the shelf life of football?

Raymond's words also apply to this team and to everyone who loves them and has loved them unconditionally. Football may not be a small part of a fan's life, but there are specific and meaningful moments in football fandom.

You're in the middle of one now. Or maybe the beginning. It's hard to know. What can be said with certainty is that nothing else in sports beats the power of a team in the run-up, especially when that team has been irrelevant for so long.

Even though the game may not be a “such a short part” of your life as a fan of this team, you only get one chance in life to love something for so long after so much heartache and then finally see it blossom.

The lions are blooming.

How do we know this?

Because the head coach said he had “an empty feeling” after his team scored 52 points and held their opponents to 14.

But?

“When your special forces team is playing that well and being that productive and then you do those little things — the red zone offensively and the takeaways defensively — then you didn’t need that. “You didn’t have to do your best,” Campbell said.

MORE FROM SHAWN WINDSOR: The Detroit Lions had an “off day” and still lost by 52 points. Yes, this team is special

In other words: Sunday wasn't so bad. In fact, it's been like Sundays at Ford Field lately. Yes, good teams should beat bad teams, even in this league of parity. Still, overwhelming victories are rare. And the Lions haven't been good long enough for anyone to take them for granted.

Of course, Campbell and his team want to be flawless every week.

“They want to and we should, but it's just another reminder,” he said, “if we … play with three units here and if a couple of them cook at the right time, it can help one of them.” Theirs Units. And if all three play at the right time? I think you’re very hard to beat.”

Campbell hopes to get these Lions there, a place where every role is synchronized and no one looks forward to playing it, and it all leads to a parade. For anyone who loves this team, there is nothing better than this moment.

However, the fun of the trip doesn't take long to arrive. Sunday is a reminder of why.

“We’re in a good place,” Campbell said.

This also has a short shelf life.

Contact Shawn Windsor: [email protected]. Follow him @shawnwindsor.

The Detroit Lions can now see the promise after the “empty” defeat against the Titans

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