Oct 20, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) and running back Reggie Bush (21) celebrate during the game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Here we are at the halfway point of the 2013 football season, and who’s in the thick of the race on the NFC side to get to the Super Bowl? Why it’s none other than our own Detroit Lions; right in the middle of it, just like I said they would be. I’ve said all along that I thought this would be the Lions year to make it to the Super Bowl. That’s my story and I’m sticking with it. I knew no one with the slightest knowledge of Lions history would believe that I picked the Lions to go to the Super Bowl this year, so I placed a $50 bet at Bally’s in Las Vegas before the season started to prove my awesome soothsayer-ness. How am I looking now?

There are a multitude of reasons why I feel like I’m on track to blow my winnings on the most expensive recliner I can find when the season ends this year. Here are two of them:

1. Whats on the Field:

I finally like a roster that Martin Mayhew has assembled. This is a better team than the one that got them to the playoffs two years ago. He drafted better because he drafted for need this time around. What a concept! His free agent signings have been great and they finally have a legitimate running game for once. Thank you very much, rookie of year candidate Larry Warford. This is the year that the stars on the Lions will break out of their shells. Sure, the Lions have their problems, but what team doesn’t? I like the foundation that’s in place, but it’s up to the Lions’ Superstars to take them over the top.

Let me ask you a question–do you think a wide receiver can lead a team to the Super Bowl and win it? It’s never been done, has it? It could happen to a guy with a nickname like Megatron. As I sit here writing this, I’m thinking why not. Have you seen the terror Calvin Johnson has been on lately? He’s looking like Godzilla tearing through Tokyo, with a hangover. We’re witnessing something going on in the NFL that’s never happened before. A receiver so dominant and so in touch with his quarterback that he looks totally unstoppable.

Matthew Stafford and Ndumakong Suh have had great years so far, but they need to up their games somewhat to get the Lions to their first Super Bowl. The Defensive line is giving the other QB’s just too much time back there. Maybe Suh can wake up Nick Fairley? Stafford and Megatron are the best combo in the league, but he has to stop over throwing open receivers not wearing number 81.

I like my chances with the chess pieces they’ve assembled.

2. Whats off the Field:

Did you know that out of the last six Super Bowl winners, five of them had a record of 10-6 or lower entering the Playoffs? It clearly sends the message; “Just Get In Baby”. Once you’re in there, as we’ve seen recently, anything can happen. This team knows what’s at stake here. They have to, I mean ABSOLUTELY have to WIN a playoff game this year. Once that happens, who knows how far they can go? If it happened to the Arizona Cardinals, then it can happen to the Detroit Lions.

When we do our weekly predictions for the Lions here on SideLion Report, I’ve picked them to win every game so far this season. You know what? I’m going to pick them to win every game for the rest of the season on top of that. I just don’t see a team in the NFL clearly that much better than the Lions.

Their record could have easily been 7-1 at this point if they knew how to finish the games better against the Cardinals and Bengals. That being said, they’re right where they belong, 5-3 sitting behind the 49’ers, Seahawks, Saints and Packers, and tied with the Panthers. Sure some of those teams seem better than the Lions do, but you don’t have to play them all in the playoffs. They will knock each other off.

If the Lions can snag a home playoff game, then I like their chances a lot. Where do I go to buy my recliner?