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Detroit Lions: Most impressive home openers at Ford Field

By Payne Schanski

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 11: The Detroit Lions take the field prior to the start of the game agains the against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on December 11, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 11: The Detroit Lions take the field prior to the start of the game agains the against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on December 11, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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Detroit Lions # 8 quarterback Jon Kitna passing under pressure from New York Jets # 99 defensive end Bryan Thomas during the Detroit Lions vs New York Jets game on October 22, 2006 The Meadowlands , East Rutherford, New Jersey Jets’ 31-24 win over the Detroit Lions (Photo by Tom Berg/NFLPhotoLibrary)
Detroit Lions # 8 quarterback Jon Kitna passing under pressure from New York Jets # 99 defensive end Bryan Thomas during the Detroit Lions vs New York Jets game on October 22, 2006 The Meadowlands , East Rutherford, New Jersey Jets’ 31-24 win over the Detroit Lions (Photo by Tom Berg/NFLPhotoLibrary) /

Impressive Home Openers

2007 vs Vikings (W 20-17 OT)– “Jon Kitna gave up his body and perhaps his mind for the Detroit Lions”– AP game recap

What was impressive: 

Jon Kitna left the game at one point with an obvious concussion, but came back late and led a field goal drive in overtime.

This scenario probably can’t play out in this day and age.

At the time, he became something of a cult hero among Lions fans.

This ugly win (they had FIVE turnovers!) moved Detroit to an improbable 2-0.

It also snapped a ten game losing streak against the Vikings.

Rest of the season: 

This Lions squad just may have been the worst team in league history to ever start 6-2.

I tried convincing my dad that they were for real.

He’s a lot more cynical than I used to be, and said they’d finish 8-8.

That turned out to be overly optimistic. A second half collapse set the stage for 0-16 the following year.

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