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Ranking every Detroit Lions team from the last 25 years (10-6)

By Payne Schanski

21 Nov 1999: Dorsey Levins #25 of the Green Bay Packers moves with the ball as Stephen Boyd #57 of the Detroit Lions tries to get in his way during the game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Lions 26-17. Mandatory Credit: Ezra O. Shaw /Allsport
21 Nov 1999: Dorsey Levins #25 of the Green Bay Packers moves with the ball as Stephen Boyd #57 of the Detroit Lions tries to get in his way during the game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Lions 26-17. Mandatory Credit: Ezra O. Shaw /Allsport /
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Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images
Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images /

The countdown now enters the top ten Detroit Lions seasons of recent history, each one giving fans hope that a run at glory was just around the corner.

After three installments of Detroit Lions teams ranging anywhere from morbid to mediocre, we’ve finally reached the section of reminiscing on memories of something closer to success.

Although  recent team history always and without exception has ended in disappointment, it can only make the payoff that much sweeter once they finally break through. And you can’t deny, there’s still been plenty of excitement and intrigue along the way.

As a reminder, my four criteria for these rankings are Final W-L Record, Achievements, Star Power, and Entertainment Value (see Part One for full explanations)

10. The 2010 Detroit Lions

Record: 3.5

Sitting at 2-10 and without a quarterback heading into the final month, things were looking very bleak indeed. To somehow win out from there gave hope that maybe, just maybe, there was a light at the end of the tunnel.

Achievements: 5

  • Four game winning streak to close the season (this is after winning four of the previous 45 games total)
  • Back-to-back road wins over Tampa Bay and Miami (after going over three years without a single one)
  • Sparked a league-wide debate over what is and isn’t a catch, which  still (over a decade later) doesn’t seem to be resolved

Star Power: 5.5

  • Ndamukong Suh, who gained notoriety from the very first preseason game and went on to be named first team All-Pro as a rookie
  • Calvin Johnson beginning his prime, putting up numbers and touchdowns no matter who was throwing him the ball
  • Kyle Vanden Bosch, who along with Suh, brought back the attitude to the Lions defense. With his shaved head, goatee, and freaky red contact lenses, Vanden Bosch looked like Stone Cold Steve Austin had stumbled into the “Thriller” video shoot.

Entertainment Value: 8

  • Seemly cursed from Week 1, 2010 had a real “what could possibly happen next?” feel to it
  • Instead of the Lions being in their own way, this is the one season where nearly every bad break truly felt like it was out of their control
    • The Calvin Johnson catch rule,  Stafford’s numerous injuries, Jason Hanson being knocked out and a missed Ndamukong Suh extra point deciding a game
  • The last month finally showed a small amount of karmic justice, as Detroit rallied behind Shaun Hill and Drew Stanton
  • Comeback wins over the Bucs and Dolphins, division wins over the Packers and Vikings down the final stretch

Total Score: 22 out of 40

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