Halfway To Perfection: The Detroit Lions and The Possibility Of 0-16

Maybe the curse of Bobby Layne was referring to 50 seasons rather than just 50 years. If so this is a fitting end to the curse that has plagued the Lions for the last half century. The growing possibility of 0-16. At 0-8, the Lions are halfway to a "perfect" season.

Going 0-16 is no easy task. In fact many would argue that its harder to go 0-16 than it is to go 16-0 in a league built for parity.

There has been three previous winless seasons in NFL history. The 1942 Detroit Lions went 0-11, The 1960 Dallas Cowboys finished 0-11-1, and the worst team in NFL history was the 1976 Tampa Bay Bucs who went 0-14.

0-11 is not the worst the Lions have ever been, despite it being the only winless season in Lions history. The 2001 Detroit Lions started 0-12 before finishing 2-14, furthering the point that it is hard to go 0-16. It's never been done.

So what will it take for Detroit to turn in a "perfect" season? To hit rock bottom like it's never been done before?

Also, what would prevent Detroit from reaching new heights in futility? Here's my lists.

Why/How The Lions will go 0-16

—Roy Williams is gone

The Detroit Lions traded their most experienced receiver to Dallas, only getting draft picks in return. This doesn't help the Lions for this season.

—Matt Millen is gone

OK. He was the possibly the worst executive in professional sports but at least he somewhat functioned at a leadership position, despite the fact that he was a horrible leader.

With Millen gone, the Lions front office has been shaken up and the guys in charge now are tentative at best. With Millen, the Lions at least had a direction (it was a bad direction) but that's better than no direction. Things won't be better until the Lions officially hire Millen's replacement

—Rod Marinelli has been tuned out

"Pound the rock" is a phrase that Lions fans grew sick of long ago. I wonder how the players feel? We saw if from Jon Kitna early in the season and now we're hearing Marinelli and Offensive Coordinator, Jim Coletto call each other out in the media. Marinelli is a lame duck coach who's gone at season's end. Its a given. The players probably tuned him out for good at about the same time that Millen was fired.

—Jon Kitna is on IR

Jon Kitna will never be mistaken for a good quarterback, but he was a veteran who threw for 4000+ yards in consecutive seasons with the Lions and his replacement after going on IR was a fifth round pick who had never before started a game. With Kitna at the helm all season, the Lions definitely win a few games. With Dan Orlovsky, although he's improving, I'm not so sure.

—Injuries

Lets just say Calvin Johnson gets injured in the next couple games. He's the one player that gives Detroit any hope at all of winning a game. If he goes down, 0-16 is practically a lock. The Lions offense is dead last in the NFL, but Calvin Johnson has always been a bright spot from week to week.

—It's the Lions

Yes, the same team that started 0-12 seven seasons ago. The team that manages to find new ways to lose every week. If anyone can become the first team to finish 0-16, it's Detroit.

Why/How the Lions will NOT go 0-16

—Daunte Culpepper

The Lions just signed veteran pro-bowl quarterback, Daunte Culpepper. He's not ready to start after just yet after being out of football for a year, but he figures to get at least one or two starts this season so Detroit can evaluate him and decide whether or not to pick up his club option for 2009. That could be key to avoiding an 0-16 season.

—Dan Orlovsky

While we're at it, how about Dan Orlovsky? He's shown noticeable improvement from week to week and barely missed Calvin Johnson for what would have been a game winning touchdown last Sunday. If Orlovsky continues to improve his game, the Lions figure to win in the second half of the season.

—Playing for next year

Although Marinelli stubbornly continues to say that the Lions are still playing for 2008, everyone knows this team is now playing for the 2009 season. The players want good contracts for next year whether its in Detroit or not. It serves their best interests to make big plays to draw attention. This could help the Lions earn a victory somewhere.

—Jacksonville and Minnesota

These two teams represent the Lions best chance for victory. Jacksonville just lost to Cincinnati who was previously winless, and the Lions play the Jaguars at home next week. Minnesota doesn't have a passing attack that scares anyone, not even Detroit. The secondary has definitely been Detroit's major weakness and the Lions play the Vikes at home as well. The Lions could earn a victory against either of these teams.

There you have it. I'm actually one of those Lions fans who have found themselves actually rooting for the "perfect" season. I guess there's quite a few of us now judging by the t-shirt sales. If you're going to be terrible, you might as well go all the way right?

Whatever happens, it can still be entertaining and filled with intrigue if you make it that way. Detroit is halfway there, but there's still a long way to go. The history books don't get re-written easily.