SideLion Report
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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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

9. The 2017 Detroit Lions

Record: 6

All things considered, this was a solid nine win season. As Jim Caldwell’s subsequent firing showed though, 9-7 is no longer the goal in Detroit.

Achievements: 6

  • Season sweep over both the Packers and Bears
  • 5-1 record in NFC North games
  • Secured a winning record for the second year in a row, and 4th time with Matthew Stafford at quarterback

Star Power: 6

  • Matthew Stafford, without huge numbers or accolades, but with one of the best seasons of his career
  • CB Darius “Big Play” Slay, shutting down opposing receivers and earning first team All-Pro
  • WR Golden Tate, without the same magic from 2014 and 2016, but still good for 1,003  receiving yards

Entertainment Value: 5

  • This edition couldn’t possibly match the week-by-week hysterics induced by the 2016 squad
  • Kenny Golladay 4th quarter catches against Arizona in the opener 1 gave us an early glimpse at the future highlight machine
  • Nearly erased a 35 point deficit at New Orleans in an obscenely entertaining 15 minute stretch
  • Golden Tate’s reverse pass to Matthew Stafford to close the season was a play so good that the Eagles won the Super Bowl with it a month later
  • Did the Lions really just fire their coach after a winning season?  
  • Yes they did

Total Score: 23

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