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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 – OCTOBER 10: Jahvid Best #44 of the Detroit Lions rushes for a first down during the fourth quarter of the game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on October 10, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. The Lions defeated the Bears 24-13. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
DETROIT – OCTOBER 10: Jahvid Best #44 of the Detroit Lions rushes for a first down during the fourth quarter of the game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on October 10, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. The Lions defeated the Bears 24-13. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

ANSWER: Monday Night 2011

League-wide attendance at NFL games has been at a slight decline in recent years. However, Ford Field had its best year yet in 2017. That is, in terms of attendance numbers. Despite only a 4-4 home record, the stadium saw an average crowd of over 64,000 fans. It was the highest total in the 15 years since the Lions moved back downtown.

This included the buzz-worthy Thanksgiving game against Minnesota. Minnesota was the front runner in the North, but the Lions had already beaten them on the road. Detroit had won four in a row on Thanksgiving, including over the Vikings in 2016. Another upset would keep them in the race for a Division title.

Well over 66,000 crammed into in the 64,500 seat building for the annual holiday game. Despite ending in a 30-23 loss, the crowd set the #2 all-time mark for a football game at Ford Field. It also set the stadium record for fans on a Thanksgiving game.

However, seven years after it happened, the first (Lions) Monday Night game at Ford Field remains the overall stadium record. 67,801 fans, including Barry Sanders, watched Jahvid Best sprint 88 yards up the middle untouched to seal the game and assert the franchise’s newfound spirit.

Propelled by their 5-0 start, the Lions went on to clinch their first playoff appearance in twelve years. They’ve been to the playoffs twice more since then, and expect to go again this season.  Motor City football is once again competitive.

That regained competitiveness still hasn’t culminated in a playoff victory, but the Lions enter 2018 with high expectations and another Monday Night game at home to open up the season. A home playoff game to cap off the year would certainly set a new stadium attendance record.

Next: Detroit Lions - 15 best first-round draft picks of all-time

So how did you do on the quiz? Any perfect scores? Let us know in the comment section below. Though I expect it to be painful, I’ll tackle the 2000s next time.

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