Detroit Lions Opponents Always Suffer a Huge Hangover – the ‘Honolulu Flu’ Phenomenon Explained

Ask someone randomly to explain the Honolulu Flu and they would most likely guess some illness one could contract in the Hawaiian Islands. For Detroit Lions fans, and particularly their opponents the Honolulu Flu means something altogether different.

The Honolulu Flu phenomenon, a name gaining ground in online football fan forums, refers to the pitiful performance teams have after they face the Detroit Lions. The Lions are riding a streak that's an unusual but eye-opening stat. To open the 2024 NFL season, every team that has faced the Lions, no matter the outcome of the game, has lost their following game.

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The name 'Honolulu Flu' comes, of course, from the Detroit Lions team color, known as Honolulu Blue.

Following the Lions defeat of the Vikings in during Week 7, Minnesota was up first to play in Week 8, a Thursday Nighter against the Los Angeles Rams - the team featuring former Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford as an added subplot.

The Honolulu Flu hangover means that the Minnesota Vikings are now on a two game losing streak after staring the season undefeated. And every team the Lions have defeated this season has suffered a follow-up defeat.

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So if you're an upcoming Detroit Lions opponent like the Tennessee Titans in Week 8 or the Green Bay Packers in a showcase 'America's Game of the Week' in the late afternoon Sunday window in Week 9 - look out and take your vitamins, the Honolulu Flu could be coming for you.

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