PONTIAC, Mich. - No team is probably looking forward to the final week of the NFL regular season more than the Detroit Lions.
For weeks the Lions tried to remain upbeat about a season that steadily unraveled with loss after loss. They kept a positive approach to each game even after starting the season with 12 defeats before finally winning one.
However, a 24-0 loss to Chicago yesterday afternoon left the Lions looking to put an end to a season long on suffering and short on celebration.
“It's been very frustrating,” Lions offensive guard Brenden Stai said. “I've never been around a team that has lost so many games.
“You start wondering `What did I do wrong?' but all you can do as a player is just try to do your best and move on.”
Lions receiver Johnnie Morton was among the most elated when Detroit knocked off Minnesota 27-24 two weeks ago at the Silverdome. He took part in showering Lions coach Marty Mornhinweg with water in celebration for the first-year head coach's first win.
He also delivered an emotional message to talk-show host Jay Leno in response to the comedian's nightly cracks on the Lions during their losing streak. That earned him an appearance on Leno's show.
However, Morton was nearly at a loss for words yesterday following Detroit's 14th defeat of the season.
“What can I say that I haven't already said,” Morton said. “All I can say is that we have one game left and a chance to start the New Year right.
“It's been exhausting.”
STAYING POSITIVE: Mornhinweg has remained positive even with the mounting losses. It's his belief that every positive thing the Lions accomplish this season can carry over into the 2002-03 season.
The Lions coach would like nothing more than to finish the year with a solid showing against Dallas.
“We can still build on the end of the year,” Mornhinweg said. With a win over Dallas next week, “we are going to be 2-2 in these last four games. We just have to play well and play smart. When plays are available, we have to make them.”
BEAR COSTUMES: There were fans in the crowd yesterday wearing Charlie Batch's No.10 Lions jersey, but there may have been even more fans donning Brian Urlacher's No.54 Bears jersey. There were others wearing the late Walter Payton's No. 34.
In fact, there were plenty in the crowd dressed in the Bears' colors. Bears fans held up signs and often drowned out Lions fans with their cheering.
The Bears felt like they were playing in front of a home crowd - particularly when many of the Lions' fans started leaving the Silverdome early in the fourth quarter as Detroit trailed 17-0.
“When you get support like that on the road that just shows you the kind of fans you have,” Bears safety Mike Brown said.
Brown was one of several Bears who waved to pockets of Bears fans located throughout the stadium during television timeouts late in the game.
DETMER'S DAY: Ty Detmer had hoped to step in at quarterback and give Detroit's offense a spark yesterday.
The 10-year NFL veteran found it more difficult than he had anticipated. Detmer completed 31 of 51 passes for 303 yards, but he failed to lead the Lions on a single scoring drive against one of the top defensive units in the league. He also took a beating from a Bears defense that steadily pressured the pass pocket.
Mornhinweg didn't fault Detmer for the Lions failing to put a single point on the scoreboard. He instead credited the Bears' defense.
“We simply didn't have enough offensive firepower,” Mornhinweg said. “We were overwhelmed with their pass rush at times, especially when they were up by 14 points.”
BAND IS BACK: A day after the University of Toledo celebrated a 23-16 victory over Cincinnati in the Motor City Bowl, the UT marching band returned to the Pontiac Silverdome.
The Rockets' marching band participated in pregame and halftime activities.
First Published December 31, 2001, 11:56 a.m.
