Detroit Lions: Playoff Hungry Fans Have Only One Shining Moment

Modern day Lions' fans are, by nature, a restless and angry bunch, and have become even more so when they reflect on life pre-2000 in Detroit.

The Pontiac Silverdome will not be remembered as one of the greater NFL stadiums, but there was a time when it roared as loud as any of the monster truck shows that are currently held there.

The Lions had moved to Pontiac in the mid-1970's and became a respectable team with the arrival of running back Billy Sims in 1980.

His five-year run with Detroit led to two unsuccessful playoff appearances, but Sims at least made the Lions competitive before his career-ending knee injury in 1984.

Barry Sanders would pick up the ball where Sims left off and was able to take Detroit over the top. After Sanders arrived in 1989, the Lions shaped up into playoff contenders every year. 

His 10-year career ended with five post-season trips, but every year was one-and-done, except for the first.

The 1991 Detroit Lions came stumbling out of the gate with a disastrous 45-0 shutout in their opening game at Washington on national television.

The stench from that game didn't last long though, as the Lions bounced back and won their next five games and the roller coaster season got underway. 

Detroit's quarterback situation was almost turned upside down when starter Rodney Peete was injured and Head Coach Wayne Fontes turned to journeyman Erik Kramer.  Kramer fit in seamlessly and the Lions never suffered. 

Winning was a different story. The Lions went from 5-1 to 6-4 over the span of a few weeks. 

The coaster was about to hit rock bottom on November 17th, when Detroit hosted the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams had a second half lead and were threatening to put the Lions away when guard Mike Utley suffered a devastating injury that left him paralyzed late in the third quarter. 

Detroit overcame that tragedy to win the game and it was onward and upward as the Lions won their final six regular season games.

The Lions' win over Buffalo in the regular season finale locked up the NFC Central Division title and a first round playoff bye. 

Detroit would get Dallas in Pontiac for their first home playoff game since 1957 and it was the signature game of the Barry Sanders/Wayne Fontes era for the franchise. 

The Lions had already handled the Cowboys at the Silverdome 34-10 in week nine, but Dallas was a much-improved team on the eve of that playoff game.

Jimmy Johnson's Cowboys were starting to gel with Troy Aikman, Emmit Smith, and Michael Irvin as the foundation of a high-octane offense that was poised to dominate the rest of the NFL.

The Lions had other ideas, as Wayne Fontes stayed with the game plan that worked so well in the first game against the Cowboys. Detroit was dominant from the opening kick and blasted Dallas 38-6.   

The rematch against Washington in the NFC Championship game the next week brought the Lions crashing back to earth. The Redskins' defense held Sanders to 44 yards on 11 carries and Kramer was sacked five times en route to a 41-10 Detroit loss.

The Lions spent the rest of the 1990's chasing that elusive second playoff win, but to no avail. Sanders was a mainstay for most of the decade with Detroit, but never got the Lions past the first round of the post-season again.

For Lions fans with long memories, there was no day sweeter than the win over Dallas on Jan. 5, 1991.