Ranking every Detroit Lions team from the last 25 years (20-16)

DETROIT - OCTOBER 20: Quarterback Joey Harrington #3 of the Detroit Lions scrambles during the NFL game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on October 20, 2002 in Detroit, Michigan. The Lions beat the Bears in overtime 23-20. (Photo by Danny Moloshok/Getty Images) /

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Credit: Tom Pidgeon /Allsport /

19. The 2001 Detroit Lions

Record: 1

This edition of the Honolulu Blues flirted with a winless season in Marty Mohrninweg’s first rodeo, losing twelve in a row before picking up a pair of late season wins to finish 2-14.

Achievements: 1.5

Ty Detmer threw seven interceptions in a single game
The Lions lost nine games in a row by eight points or fewer, which I believe was a record at the time

Star Power: 2

WR Johnnie Morton, with over 1,000 receiving yards and a “Tonight Show” appearance
DE Robert Porcher, with 11.0 sacks and a Pro Bowl selection
QB Charlie Batch, benched after the first game and 0-9 as a starter in 2001

Entertainment Value: 7

For some reason or another, I have fond memories of the 2001 season. The ridiculous run of close losses, the carousel of starting quarterbacks, Johnnie Morton telling Jay Leno to “kiss my a**!”, Marty Mornhinweg handing the ball (and the game) to Chicago in the overtime coin toss, not going 0-16 (yet), right up until a win over Dallas in the final ever game at the old Silverdome. 2001 may have been a disaster in Detroit in every way, but it was an exciting disaster all the same.

Total Score 11.5

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