SideLion Report
FanSided

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

By Payne Schanski

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)
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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images /

16. The 2012 Detroit Lions

Record: 2.5

  • Three young stars, a talented 2011 draft class, and a playoff berth the previous year made this 4-12 train wreck sting even worse

Achievements: 1

  • This is the most underachieving Lions team of my lifetime
  • Calvin Johnson setting the single season receiving record, with 1,964 yards

Star Power: 5.5

With three big names all coming off of big seasons in 2011, fans (and networks, the Lions were on national TV every other week) had huge expectations for their young trio of stars. The sequel couldn’t match the original though, and Calvin was the only one who truly delivered, with a record-setting 2012.

Entertainment Value: 5

  • You will never find a more entertaining football game than the 44-41 loss at Tennessee early in the season
  • Three vintage Matthew Stafford 4th quarter comebacks
  • A crazy Thanksgiving game that featured the infamous Jim Schwartz challenge flag
  • Even during the nearly unwatchable final month, Calvin’s quest for 2,000 yards was still reason to tune in

Total Score: 15

Ranking every Detroit Lions team from the last 25 years (15-11). dark. Next

CLICK HERE to continue to numbers 15 through 11, which feature some better teams than we’ve seen so far on this list, but not any playoff teams yet.

Home/Lions All-Time Lists