Detroit Lions Season At A Glance
Best Game: Detroit played to its potential on Thanksgiving, routing the Green Bay Packers 40-10.
Worst Game: The Lions lost to the lowly Buccaneers at home as Matthew Stafford threw season-high four interceptions and they lost a fourth-quarter lead for one of seven times this season.
Best Play: Calvin Johnson leaped in the end zone to catch a 50-yard touchdown pass while surrounded by three Cincinnati Bengals for a game-tying score Oct. 20 in a 27-24 loss.
Worst Play: Stafford threw high and wide of 6-foot-7 tight end Joseph Fauria, who had to leap just to get his hands on the ball that was returned for a score by Will Hill of the New York Giants late in regulation of a 23-20 overtime loss.
Biggest Surprise: Larry Warford. Detroit drafted the guard out of Kentucky in the third round and he started every game on an improved offensive line.
Biggest Disappointment: Stafford. He threw 19 touchdown passes and seven interceptions to help Detroit start 6-3 before turning into a turnover-prone quarterback. He had an NFL-high 14 turnovers from Week 11 to Week 16 when the Lions lost five of six games to throw away their shot at winning the NFC North.
What's Next: Hiring a new coach. Jim Schwartz was fired after compiling a 29-51 record over five seasons.
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Online:
AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org
