In a bit of schedule anomaly, the Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks will play each other in a third straight season in the Lions' home opener on Sunday. The last two are games the Lions would like to forget but also clearly remember, as Seattle totaled 99 points on their defense. Last year's loss, and game that ultimately determined who got the final NFC Wild Card spot, is especially bitter for Detroit.
Sunday's game will be the 18th all-time matchup between the Lions and the Seahawks, dating back to the Seahawks' first year as an NFL franchise (1976), with Seattle winning 12 of 17 to this point. One was a playoff matchup, the last time the Lions made the playoffs (2016).
We know the Lions have at least a two-game losing streak to the Seahawks, but it's actually five losses in a row. So....
When is the last time the Lions beat the Seahawks?
The Lions' last win over the Seahawks came on Oct. 28, 2012, a 28-24 win at Ford Field. Russell Wilson was a rookie signal caller for Seattle then, to put it in perspective.
Matthew Stafford threw for 352 yards with three touchdowns and one interception in the game, along with a rushing score. Titus Young was Detroit's leading receiver that day (nine catches for 100 yards and two touchdowns), as focus on stopping Calvin Johnson (three receptions for 46 yards) opened things up for others. Lions' tight ends Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler combined for 11 receptions. Mikel Leshoure and Joique Bell primarily shared the work in the Lions' backfield, combining for 113 total yards.
On the Seattle side, Wilson had two touchdown passes, Marshawn Lynch ran for 105 yards and a pre-Lions Golden Tate had a team-high seven receptions for 64 yards.
Will the Lions end their losing streak to the Seahawks on Sunday? (Yes).