Yardbarker
Yardbarker
x
The Michigan Panthers had their own Lions vs Packers moment with big win that sends them to the UFL Champioship game
Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

If you're not watching the Michigan Panthers right now, you should be. They are a lot of fun, and with their 44-29 win over the Birmingham Stallions in the USFL conference championship game. They're on their way to the UFL Championship game on June 14th. 

That win was huge for more than one reason. The huge one is that they just became the first Detroit-based professional football team to make it to a championship game since the Detroit Lions last did it in 1957. 

Speaking of the Lions, the second big thing the Panthers did was finally beat the Stallions after seven straight losses in the modern era of spring football. What does that remind you of? For me, it reminds me of the Lions finally winning in Lambeau again in 2015. 

It's so forgotten now because the Lions have won three straight games at the vaunted stadium. But there was a time that the Lions walked out of Lambeau with a 21-17 win in 1991, and then lost 24 straight in Green Bay until they won an 18-16 game over the Packers in 2015. 

Falling into slumps against teams can be really hard to get over. We've seen the Lions have a few slumps that they've finally broken. It wasn't just the Packers. This team couldn't win in Los Angeles to save their life for a long time. They didn't win a division title for a long time, and they didn't win a playoff game for a long time. 

The Panthers will play the DC Defenders on Saturday, June 14 at 8:00 P.M. ET at The Dome at America's Center in St. Louis, Missouri, and will be shown on ABC. Let's see if they bring a football championship back to the Motor City. 

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST

Oilers to Acquire a Top-Tier Goalie. An Official Trade Offer Is on the Table in a Blockbuster Deal
NHL

Oilers to Acquire a Top-Tier Goalie. An Official Trade Offer Is on the Table in a Blockbuster Deal

The Boston Bruins have been under pressure to retool after a disappointing season, and now a potential blockbuster move could shake the entire NHL. A major trade proposal has surfaced that could send a star goaltender to the Edmonton Oilers, a move that would give them the elite presence they've lacked in net while forcing Boston closer to a rebuild. The deal being floated by multiple outlets would send Edmonton's current starter, Stuart Skinner, along with Matthew Savoie, Beau Akey, and a 2028 first-round pick to Boston, while the Oilers land a goaltender capable of changing their Cup window overnight. Edmonton's push for a franchise goalie could reshape the Western Conference and challenge the Dallas Stars' path to the Cup If this trade goes through, the Oilers would instantly address one of their biggest weaknesses, setting up a showdown with teams like the Dallas Stars, who already see Edmonton as one of their toughest rivals. Boston, on the other hand, would fully commit to a rebuild, pairing Joonas Korpisalo with Skinner in what could be one of the NHL's weakest tandems, likely boosting their draft lottery odds in one of the most hyped draft classes in recent memory (NHL.com). An insider noted, "They weren't the only ones who had inquired about Swayman, but yes, I was told they poked around." That comment shows just how wide the interest is for this level of goalie talent (Heavy.com). I think this kind of trade would completely shift the balance of power in the West, making Edmonton even more dangerous for teams like Dallas, who could end up facing a vastly upgraded Oilers team in the playoffs. If Boston truly embraces a rebuild, moving their top goaltender could be the first domino in a massive roster overhaul, something that could shake the market for weeks.

Kirk Cousins makes notable leadership move after Falcons practice
NFL

Kirk Cousins makes notable leadership move after Falcons practice

Kirk Cousins might be relegated to the job of backup quarterback, but he is showing veteran leadership to his Atlanta Falcons teammates. Following Sunday's practice, Cousins pulled aside rookie defensive end James Pearce to encourage the first-round pick after his fourth practice in the league at Flowery Branch, Georgia. "QB Kirk Cousins pulled aside Pearce after practice to compliment him on a pass batted down," wrote Marc Raimondi of ESPN. Cousins reportedly had a solid day of practice on Sunday, going 7-of-12 passing against the first-team unit. If Cousins wants out of Atlanta, he's not showing it at practice. The four-time Pro Bowl quarterback is competing on the field and being a good teammate around the facility. Cousins' actions on the field backed up what Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot praised Cousins for before the team's practice on Sunday. “Outside, it's a lot more of a deal than it is in the building,” Fontenot said to the media about the idea of friction between the Falcons and Cousins, per video from D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. “He shows up, he does his job, just like anybody ... We've gotta build the best 70-man roster so we can go win games. "That's what we're focused on, and Kirk, just like all the other players, is focused on coming in here and doing their job. That's what he's been doing." Fontenot didn't dismiss the idea that Atlanta would trade Cousins before the season. He said the Falcons will do whatever it takes to make the team better, but stressed that Cousins has been a professional throughout the process of being replaced by Michael Penix Jr., a first-round pick from the 2024 draft. “In terms of making moves, whether it's trades or acquiring players, we're always looking at those factors," Fontenot said. "We're gonna do whatever we can do to make this team the best it can possibly be. But he's been a great professional, and he's handled himself well.” Cousins is coming to work in a manner that will make another owner want to take a chance on the veteran quarterback. That could be one of his best-selling points before he plays in his 13th season in the league.

Lakers’ Luka Doncic reveals what drove him to be shredded in NBA offseason
NBA

Lakers’ Luka Doncic reveals what drove him to be shredded in NBA offseason

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic silenced his critics Monday by sharing a new physique. He revealed what drove him to become shredded. The perennial all-star showed up leaner, highlighted by Men’s Health magazine. Doncic is also more muscular and toned at the arms. What became his drive to better health? He revealed why during a New York Yankees game. “I needed a fresh start after everything that happened,” Doncic said to the Yankees broadcast team. He added how this time, he had more time to dive into new workouts. Doncic left basketball for one month to “focus on other things.” Turns out it involved transforming his body. “It was a really good fresh and healthy start for me,” Doncic said. What was in Luka Doncic’s workouts before second Lakers season? Doncic and the Lakers rattled the league ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline in February. But he still faced critics. The former Dallas Mavericks star was ripped for his lack of conditioning and off the court work ethic. Doncic weighed at a reported 260-pounds after the trade was made. At 6-foot-6, 260-pounds — Doncic looked more like a blocking tight end not required to run routes on third and long. Now he’s entering season two with the Lakers ripped. So what type of workouts did Doncic hit? Andrew Heffernan of Men’s Health unveiled Doncic did a 90-minute workout. One that blended weight training, agility work and shooting drills. Another workout featured Doncic shooting with a resistance band strapped at his waist. That became part of a circuit workout with his trainer Anže Maček. Doncic needed to trust his lower body too. Trap-bar deadlifts became a part of his routine. Same with sprints and jumps on an outdoor track. Doncic now looks like a natural guard. And he’s sent an early message too before Doncic plays his next Lakers game. Now Laker fans will hope his second season in L.A. becomes more stellar than his first.

Analyst has interesting rating for Knicks' tactical offseason
NBA

Analyst has interesting rating for Knicks' tactical offseason

It hasn’t been the flashiest of offseasons for the New York Knicks, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been productive. After acquiring Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns last summer, the Knicks have toned it down a bit this time around, targeting key depth pieces for the second unit, which struggled mightily last season. So far, the Knicks have signed Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele to help beef up the team’s bench. These moves have been largely acclaimed by analysts and pundits as positive additions. ESPN’s Kevin Pelton is one of those who believe the Knicks made strong signings. He graded the Knicks’ offseason up to this point a "B," citing the value they’ve gotten for such a small price. “After adding Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns last offseason, the Knicks had limited room to maneuver this summer,” wrote Pelton. “Getting Guerschon Yabusele to take ever so slightly less than the entirety of their taxpayer midlevel exception allowed New York to upgrade its second-unit frontcourt and still fill out its bench with veteran minimum contracts. One of those veterans, Jordan Clarkson — signed after reaching a buyout with the Utah Jazz — gives the Knicks more athleticism off the bench than unsigned backup guards Cameron Payne and Landry Shamet.” Clarkson has been one of the NBA’s best bench scorers during the 2020s, leading the league in total points off the bench in that timeframe. This past season with the Jazz, he averaged 16.2 points per game while shooting 36 percent from three-point range. Yabusele was originally drafted in 2016 by the Boston Celtics, he would go on to play two seasons for them in limited minutes before departing overseas, where he remained until this past season with the Philadelphia 76ers. He would go on to have a career year with the 76ers, averaging 11.0 points and 5.6 rebounds per game in 70 appearances (43 starts).

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!