The Detroit Lions held a three-score lead over the Indianapolis Colts with roughly four minutes left in Sunday’s game at Lucas Oil Stadium. At that moment, chants of “Jared Goff” — a phenomenon that began during last season’s Wild Card game at Ford Field — echoed throughout the building.
With the Colts’ stadium roughly a four-hour, 290-mile drive from Detroit, it was an easy trip for Lions fans, who have traveled in droves since last season’s success. Once again, they hit the road to serve as the 12th man in another team’s house.
Colts coaches and players took notice of the overwhelming support during their 24-6 loss to the Lions, who improved to 6-0 on the road this season.
Lions fans, clad in Honolulu Blue and Silver, were noticeably louder than the Colts’ home crowd at times. After the game, Colts coach Shane Steichen was asked if the noise affected his offense, forcing them to switch to a silent count.
“No, we weren’t,” Steichen told reporters. “Early in the game, it was a little loud, but I think we were all right a few times. But, yeah, that’s where it was.”
The “Detroit Takeover” trend — where Lions fans flood another team’s city to host parties, tailgates, and dominate the stadium on game day — has gained so much traction that it’s being discussed by local and national media outlets.
Before Sunday’s game against the Colts, the Week 10 takeover against the Texans, highlighted by the Lions’ improbable 26-23 comeback, was the most celebrated instance of this phenomenon.
Sunday’s showing added to the growing legacy, frustrating Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin.
“I mean, it’s disappointing. It hurts when they take over a stadium like that, but it starts with us,” Franklin told reporters. “We’ve got to do our part, give our fans something to cheer for. It’s hard for them to make noise when we’re losing. So, that being said, we’ve got to be better at home. I felt like we had some good performances at home, but I know Detroit is a short drive, so they made the trip.”
The Lions fanbase has two more road takeover opportunities left this season. Before then, Detroit begins a three-game homestand starting with Thursday’s Thanksgiving game against the Bears.
After hosting the Packers and Bills, they’ll close the regular season with road games against the Bears and 49ers before returning home to face the Vikings.
