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Smooth Lemon · 09-22-2007, 12:44 PM

With the shadow of a 3-13 season behind them, the Detroit Lions now rest, surprisingly, atop the NFC North.

"You can tell something special brewing in the air here, even at the beginning of the season," wide receiver Roy Williams said during a conference call Wednesday. "You could just feel it. There was something special going on."

The Lions are off to a 2-0 season for the first time since 2004 and will land in Philadelphia this weekend on the heels of a 20-17 overtime victory over the Vikings last Sunday.

"This team is for real," added Williams, who made seven receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown last week. "We know the team we have. It don't matter who steps up there on the football field, whether it be the Eagles or the Patriots or the Colts. We want to go out there and beat that team."

The energy exhibited by Williams stems from a bold prediction quarterback Jon Kitna made on a local Detroit radio station in March that the Lions, who haven't won more than six games in a season since 2000, would win 10-or-more games during the 2007 season.

The team is already one-fifth of the way there as they head into their clash with the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday. The Lions offense currently ranks first in the league in passing, as they average over 321 yards per game. The Lions are also ranked seventh in the league in scoring with 56 points.

"(Kitna) has gained a lot more believers," Williams said. "He had a few doubters and some non-believers from the media and the fans. Everybody is starting to jump on board."

Kitna has completed 49 of his 69 passes for a total of 534 yards and has only been sacked three times. He has been helped by Williams and the team's first-round draft pick, wide receiver Calvin Johnson has recorded eight receptions for 131 yards and two touchdowns.

"Coach Rod Marinelli has changed the mindset of this football team from being losers, to having confidence and walking with your head up," Williams said.

With the addition of offensive coordinator Mike Martz in 2006, it is no surprise the Lions have become an offensive to be reckoned with. Martz is known for his complicated fast break offensive scheme which catapulted the St. Louis Rams to a win in Super Bowl XXXIV.

He won the Super Bowl as the offensive coordinator, but he also took the Rams to the playoffs five out of seven years as the Rams' head coach which included an NFC Championship and a trip to Super Bowl XXXVI.

"That's where that 10-win thing came from," Williams added. "It's coach Marinelli and Coach Martz. Both coached championship ball clubs, so they know how to do it and we're just following in their footsteps."

Philadelphia Eagles

**Serrated Shadow** · 09-22-2007, 12:44 PM

Let's see how long that guarantee lasts lol.

**Professor** · 09-22-2007, 01:50 PM

If they beat the EAGLES, I will be on the 11 o clock news

**RoyWilliams** · 09-22-2007, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by professorellisdtrails

If they beat the EAGLES, I will be on the 11 o clock news

**Dawardoe** · 09-22-2007, 02:10 PM

This is giving alot of Lions fans high expectations for them to win. I honestly am not expecting 10+ wins. 7-9 would satisfy me but if we do win 10+ games...