Lions appear destined for historic 0-16 season
Posted by Brian VanOchten | The Grand Rapids Press December 07, 2008 00:20AM
DETROIT -- Imperfection or bust.
It is with mixed feelings that long-suffering Detroit Lions fans approach their team's matchup against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field this afternoon.
The Press polled Web readers to determine whether more people are rooting for the Lions to finish 0-16 or if they're still hoping for this team to end the suffering and claim its first win of the season.
So much for hope.
A solid majority is looking forward to the history of the Lions (0-12) becoming the first NFL team to go 0-16 since the league adopted a 16-game schedule.
2001 Lions
• Started: 0-12
• Final record: 2-14
• First win: 13th game; defeated Minnesota Vikings, 27-24, at Pontiac Silverdome.
• Points scored: 270
• Points against: 424
• TDs scored: 30
• TDs against: 52
• Total offense: 312.1
• Rushing: 87.4
• Passing: 224.8
• Total defense: 345.1
• Rushing: 124.6
• Passing: 220.5
• Sacks: 31
• Sacks allowed: 66
* -- Based on 16-game schedule
2008 Lions
• Started: 0-12
• Final record: ???
• First win: ???
• Points scored: 203
• Points against: 393
• TDs scored: 22
• TDs against: 47
• Total offense: 260.8
• Rushing: 78.3
• Passing: 182.5
• Total defense: 394.3
• Rushing: 176.9
• Passing: 217.4
• Sacks: 23
• Sacks allowed: 45
* -- Totals through first 12 games
Indeed.
A loss today would create a new low for the Lions: the first time the franchise has started 0-13. This team can surpass -- and in many ways already has -- the haplessness of the 2001 edition that started 0-12 before defeating the Vikings.
This year, it might be true the Vikings present the last best chance for victory, but it's not much. The Lions' final four-game stretch is loaded with teams in the hunt for playoff berths, beginning with NFC North-leading Minnesota (7-5).
The Lions are dead last in the NFL in rushing defense.
Ah, perfect timing for a showdown with NFL rushing leader Adrian Peterson, who has run for 1,311 yards, and a defense that's giving up 176.9 yards per game on the ground. The Tennessee Titans trampled the Lions, 47-10, on Thanksgiving Day behind a pair of 100-yard runners for an embarrassing total of 292 yards on the ground.
In their first matchup this year, the Lions fell 12-10 to the Vikings in Minneapolis. It was their closest of the season, but only because Peterson uncharacteristically fumbled twice. He still ended up running for 111 yards.
Of course, the Lions have had 10 days since Thanksgiving to prepare for a rematch. But they are 1-13 in their last 14 games against Minnesota. And they have been outscored 230-93 at home this season.
Forget the revenge factor.
New Lions quarterback Daunte Culpepper, who starred for the Vikings earlier in his career, has littered the field with seven turnovers and been pulled in the second half three times in his four starts since joining the team.
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• VanOchten: Lions appear destined for historic 0-16 season
• Lions notes: Vikings' Peterson 'runs angry'
• Q&A: Lions long snapper Muhlbach likes anonymity
• Bad news, Lions: Williamses will play for Vikings
• Lions have prepared for Williams duo to play
• Big plays have haunted Lions' defense all season
• Vikings not buying into upset talk against Lions
• E-mails: Will Lions consider Stanton's injury history?
• Lunch with Killer: Lions may not make front-office changes in offseason
• Kowalski on WDFN: Packers, not Vikings, Lions best shot at picking up first win 
• Kowalski on WDFN: Orlovsky deserves the starting job, when healthy
• Tom Kowalski's 'The Point After': Burress shouldn't be blamed for latest blunder
Forget the status of the Williamses.
Turns out, Pro Bowl defensive tackles Kevin Williams and Pat Williams, fighting an NFL-imposed suspension for violating policy on banned substances, will be able to suit up for the Vikings after a judge blocked the penalties.
Either way, it doesn't matter. The Lions are a pitiful 30th in the league in rushing.
It is so hopeless, in fact, all fans have left to root for is embracing the pursuit of 0-16 so Lions owner William Clay Ford will be shamed into firing coach Rod Marinelli and cleaning out the front office.
The final three games offer almost no chance of winning.
The Lions travel to Indianapolis for a mismatch against Peyton Manning and the Colts on Dec. 14. Detroit is 8-54 on the road since 2001, including 3-19 under Marinelli.
The home finale on Dec. 21 is a mismatch against the No. 1 offense of the New Orleans Saints. Drew Brees and friends hung 51 points on the Green Bay Packers two weeks ago. How are the Lions supposed to keep up?
But the Dec. 28 season finale against the Packers at famed Lambeau Field is the most hopeless situation. The Lions have not prevailed in Wisconsin since 1991 -- a 17-game losing streak that includes the playoffs.
Still, there's cause for a celebration.
In their march toward 0-16, the 2008 Lions can become the worst in team history today by exceeding the futility of the 2001 team, which finished 2-14. That guaranteed the No. 3 pick in the NFL draft, used to select quarterback Joey Harrington.
The 2001 team lost its first 12 by an average of 8.75 points and dropped nine straight one-possession games before defeating the Vikings. The 2008 bunch has lost by an average of 15.83 points and lost three of the last four in blowouts.
If it's got to be this bad, let's make history.
The consolation prize for achieving 0-16 imperfection is the No. 1 pick in the 2009 draft. There, the Lions hold a comfortable lead against the 1-10-1 Cincinnati Bengals.
So, please, let's hope the Lions don't mess it up.
E-mail Brian VanOchten: bvanochten@grpress.com
