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Detroit Lions: Remember that time Ty Detmer threw 7 interceptions?

By Payne Schanski

23 Sep 2001: Ty Detmer #14 of the Detroit Lions throws the ball as teammate Aaron Gibson #71 guards him during the game against the Cleveland Browns at the Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Lions 24-14.Mandatory Credit: Tom Pidgeon /Allsport
23 Sep 2001: Ty Detmer #14 of the Detroit Lions throws the ball as teammate Aaron Gibson #71 guards him during the game against the Cleveland Browns at the Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Lions 24-14.Mandatory Credit: Tom Pidgeon /Allsport /
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23 Sep 2001: Ty Detmer #14 of the Detroit Lions throws the ball as teammate Aaron Gibson #71 guards him during the game against the Cleveland Browns at the Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Lions 24-14.Mandatory Credit: Tom Pidgeon /Allsport
23 Sep 2001: Ty Detmer #14 of the Detroit Lions throws the ball as teammate Aaron Gibson #71 guards him during the game against the Cleveland Browns at the Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Lions 24-14.Mandatory Credit: Tom Pidgeon /Allsport /

This week’s Remember that Time post goes back to 2001, when a journeyman QB had the wrong type of record-setting performance for the Detroit Lions.

Only two games into the embarrassing 2001 season, the Detroit Lions were already out of options at quarterback. A set of new coaching and front office hires made a rash decision to yank incumbent starter Charlie Batch after the season opener.

The new sheriff in town then went out and had one of the worst performances in NFL history, in a 24-14 loss to the Cleveland Browns. I can’t find any video from this game, and it’ s probably for the better.

Exactly how difficult is it for one quarterback to throw seven interceptions in a single game? Ty Detmer is one of only a few living men who can accurately answer that question. I very much doubt that he’s interested in speaking on the subject, so here are my thoughts.

It’s hard enough that no one else in the league has managed this feat in nearly 17 years. It’s actually easier to throw seven touchdown passes in a game than that many interceptions. Peyton Manning, Nick Foles, and Drew Brees have all accomplished that feat since the last seven interception game.

Major League pitchers throw perfect games more often than this. It’s easier to run a 4 minute mile. More people have walked on the moon than have thrown seven interceptions in an NFL game.

I narrowed it down to four factors that all need to come together at the same time in order for this sort of thing to happen:

  • QB that’s already turnover-prone has a particularly bad day.
  • There really is no better option to put in as a sub.
  • QB has an absurd level of either/or…
    • Irrational confidence (think John Starks absolutely bombing up bricks and airballs in Game 7 of the ’94 NBA Finals).
    • Not giving a crap (think Jay Cutler throwing 4 second half interceptions, all to DeAngelo Hall, in 2010)
  • No one tells him to stop throwing it.

For Ty Detmer in September of the 2001 season, these four things intersected in a perfect storm of futility, as the Detroit Lions lost their second of twelve consecutive losses to begin the season.

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