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

By Payne Schanski

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 08: Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions carries the ball as Nate Allen #29 of the Philadelphia Eagles defends on December 8, 2013 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 08: Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions carries the ball as Nate Allen #29 of the Philadelphia Eagles defends on December 8, 2013 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Credit: Scott Halleran /Allsport
Mandatory Credit: Scott Halleran /Allsport /

13. The 1996 Detroit Lions

Record: 3

  • After an encouraging 4-2 start, the wheels absolutely came off the rest off the way in Motown. Losing nine of the last ten games finished things at 5-11

Achievements: 3.5

  • 27-0 win over the Buccaneers in Week 5 would be the Lions last shutout win for the next 22 years (finally broken at Lambeau Field just over a week ago)
  • Three game winning streak early in the season
  • Barry Sanders leads the NFL in rushing

Star Power: 6

  • Prime Barry Sanders, 1,553 yards and the league rushing title
  • WR Herman Moore, with nearly 1,300 yards and an All-Pro first team nod
  • QB Scott Mitchell, with a dud of a year that was rewarded with a massively bad (for all of us, great for him) free agent contract that offseason.

Entertainment Value: 5

  • Once again, I’m invoking the Barry Sanders rule for this score. 1996 and 1998 were basically mirror images of each other. For each, the team was coming off a playoff appearance and record-setting performances from the offense (Barry in 1997, everyone in 1995). For each, an odd three game winning streak was far outstripped by poor performances before and after.

Total Score: 17.5

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