The complete history of Lions playoff games at home
If you've been following my work for a long time than you know that I'm a bit of a history nut when it comes to the Detroit Lions. I really enjoy taking a look back for sure. Since the Lions are about to do something historical on Sunday when they host their first playoff game […]
If you've been following my work for a long time than you know that I'm a bit of a history nut when it comes to the Detroit Lions. I really enjoy taking a look back for sure. Since the Lions are about to do something historical on Sunday when they host their first playoff game at Ford Field, I wanted to take a look back at all the other times they've hosted a playoff game and see how it went.
You might think that since this is the first time the Lions have hosted a playoff game since 1994 that maybe they haven't hosted a lot and you would be right in that case. The Lions have hosted exactly six playoff games in their franchise history.
An interesting fact that Justin Rogers of The Detroit News pointed out, is that this is actually the first playoff game that the Lions have hosted in the city of Detroit since 1957 when they played the Cleveland Browns in the NFL Championship game at Briggs Stadium. You might recognize that as Tiger Stadium. The name it would take on three years later. The games since were in Pontiac.
It's interesting that the Lions first home playoff game that's in city of Detroit is their first one since since the last time this team won a championship. If you're into omens and stuff like that, this seems like a good one.
Ok, let's get down to some of the stuff you want to know. Wins and losses. The Lions have lost exactly one home playoff game in their history and that was the last one. A 28-24 loss to the Packers in 1994. They've otherwise been able to win.
What about this? Have the Lions ever hosted a playoff game against the Rams? They have. Back in 1952 the Lions hosted the Los Angles Rams in the divisional round of the playoffs. Despite Bobby Layne throwing four interceptions and no touchdowns, the Lions were able to win 31-21, on the strength of their run game, and head to the championship game against the Browns. Which they won 17-7 by the way.
It's not 1952 related, but the last time the Lions hosted a playoff game and the Lions and Browns made it the playoffs in the same year was in 1957. The Lions beat the Browns in the NFL Championship game. I had to go a long way for that one. Refer back to thing about good omens.
What about playing your former quarterback in the playoffs Has that ever happened? Yes it has and you're not going to like the result. The Lions played Rodney Peete and the Eagles in the 1995 playoffs and Pete lit the Lions up with 270 yards and three touchdowns. The Lions lost 58-37.
We'll see what happens on Sunday, but this game has all the makings to be a historical one. Not just becasue the Lions have a chance to win their first playoff game since 1991, but becasue of all the storylines attached to this one. See you then.
Oh yeah, I'll leave you with one more. The Lions have never lost a playoff game in the city of Detroit.
Multiple Lions make Pro Football Focus’ All-Pro team
Pro Football Focus has released it's annual All-Pro team and there's multiple Detroit Lions on it for the first time in a while. While this is not the big AP All-Pro team that everyone looks forward to, this is a big deal as PFF is the top analytical source around. Here's who made it for […]
