The Detroit Lions have never made it to the Super Bowl. It’s a fact that stings for fans, yet somehow feels oddly comforting when trying to make sense of December’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) report. Both seem to promise improvement, only to leave us scratching our heads.

December’s CPI rose 0.4%—a bit higher than the 0.3% analysts predicted. Year-over-year inflation edged up from 2.7% to 2.9%, driven largely by energy costs surging 2.6%. Like the Lions’ endless rebuilding, energy prices accounted for over 40% of the Headline increase, proving once again that progress is never linear.

Food prices didn’t do much to help, climbing 0.3%, while the Core CPI, which excludes food and energy, rose a more modest 0.2%. Shelter increased by 0.3%, a slower pace than in recent months, and lodging away from home actually fell by 1%. Yet if the lagging shelter component caught up to reality, Core CPI would sit at a perfect 1.9%—a dream scenario right in line with the Fed’s target.

Much like Lions fans fantasizing about a Super Bowl win, we’re left hoping for inflation perfection while living with the imperfections. In the end, both remind us that progress, whether in football or economic metrics, isn’t always predictable—but hope springs eternal.

Here’s to 2026: maybe the Lions and interest rates can both deliver!

Peace,

Jonathon

P.S. – Kudos to Jayden Daniels for being a stud rookie and shredding our D.  Eagles 24 – Commanders 14.