Detroit Lions Super Bowl Moments That Weren’t

1995

What was…

The Detroit Lions road loss to the Philadelphia Eagles was probably the most frustrating playoff loss in the history of the franchise. Considering the history of this franchise, that’s saying something.

On a cold day in late September, the Detroit Lions elite offense laid an elite egg and Scott Mitchell choked on it.  The free-agent gun slinging QB from Miami had spent much of the 1995 season trying to stick it to the Dolphins for letting him go to free agency.  But his triumphant offensive performance as a starter was destroyed in Philadelphia.

Mitchell threw four interceptions, two of the pick-six variety, leading the Lions to a  58-37 loss to the Eagles. Mitchell’s performance set a new low for the Detroit Lions in the playoffs.

But what if Scott Mitchell hadn’t completely choked on the road in Philadelphia?

The Detroit Lions Super Bowl moment would have been…

The Detroit Lions juggernaut offense continued their assault on the rest of the NFL and advanced while advancing to Super Bowl XXIX. The Mitchell to Moore connection combined for 350 yards and 3 touchdowns in two play-off games heading into the match-up Pittsburgh Steelers.

However it was the defense that stepped up in Super Bowl XXIX. Chris Speilman and company  stymied Pittsburgh Quarterback Neil O’Donnell by forcing him into 3 interceptions while holding the Steelers running game to just 67 yards.

Barry Sanders and Herman Moore did the rest by scoring a touchdown each as the Detroit Lions defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 17-10 earning head coach Bobby Ross his first ring. It was the second Super Bowl title for the Lions in five years.