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The Detroit Lions Quiz (2010-2017) – Test your fan knowledge!

By Payne Schanski

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 31: Ameer Abdullah #21 of the Detroit Lions celebrates his touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Ford Field on December 31, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 31: Ameer Abdullah #21 of the Detroit Lions celebrates his touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Ford Field on December 31, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 23: Jamison Crowder #80 of the Washington Redskins looks for yards after a catch while playing the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 23, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan Detroit won the game 20-17. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 23: Jamison Crowder #80 of the Washington Redskins looks for yards after a catch while playing the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on October 23, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan Detroit won the game 20-17. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

ANSWER: Washington Redskins

Matthew Stafford is 4-0 in his career against the ‘Skins. Not only did he earn his first win as an NFL quarterback against them in 2009, but he also led impressive wins in 2010 and 2013, as well as this classic Stafford moment in 2016.

Something I remember about the 2009 game is how pumped everyone was, just for the fact that the Lions were finally favored in a game. With a 19 game losing streak, it had been about a year since even that was the case. Actually going out and winning was icing on the cake.

In a game that wasn’t pretty by any stretch, the Lions led most of the way, winning 19-14. Lions play-by-play man Dan Miller summed it up perfectly: “GAME over, STREAK over, NIGHTMARE over!!”

The next year, I thought the Washington game was about to be the catalyst for a huge turnaround and playoff surge. With Stafford injured, they started the season 1-5, but were playing with heart.

In his first game back, the Lions took an impressive 37-25 win over a Donovan McNabb-led Redskins team. It looked like they were gathering momentum. The next week, Stafford was lost for the season. The Lions slipped to 2-10 before rallying to win four straight to finish 2010.

Another impressive early season win in 2013 is largely forgotten, based on how that season ended. The 27-20 win in week 3 over Robert Griffin III (back when RG3 was thought to be a future Hall of Famer) was merely a blip on the highly disappointing collapse and 7-9 finish to the year.

The ending of the 2016 game is what sparked the “Stafford for MVP” talk around Detroit. He didn’t have the stats to back it up, and the team didn’t have enough overall success, but the talk was definitely valid. If not for Stafford’s late game heroics, the Lions most likely would have started the season 0-7.

Instead, he drove them the length of the field in the final minute against Washington. An Anquan Boldin touchdown catch in the final seconds gave the Lions another unlikely win. After seven games, the Honolulus were somehow 4-3, with every win coming on a clutch 4th quarter drive from Stafford.

Sure, the team crashed at the end of the 2016 season, but they did sneak into the playoffs. You still won’t convince me that they would have been better than 3-13 with anyone besides Stafford that year.

Through eight years of the current decade, Washington is the only conference foe that hasn’t beaten the Lions. Unfortunately, they don’t appear anywhere on the schedule in 2018.

Speaking of classic Stafford moments…

Question #6. Since 2010, which team does Matthew Stafford have the most fourth quarter comebacks against?

(a) Minnesota Vikings

(b) Washington Redskins

(c) Dallas Cowboys

(d) Cleveland Browns

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