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The Bottom Ten/NFL Final
By Gaylon Kent
The Writer's Shack
Years from now when they are telling their grandkids about their magical 2008 season, members of the Detroit Lions can say that when the chips were down, when one loss was all that stood between them and Bottom Ten immortality, they stared History in the face and didn't blink. Or win.
On Sunday the Detroit Lions lost at Green Bay 31-21 to earn the Dan Henning Trophy - symbolic of NFL Bottom Ten supremacy - and become the first NFL team to go 0-16 for a season.
Lion players were well aware of the history they had wrought.
"This is us!" said kicker and senior Lion Jason Hanson. "We own this!"
Offensive tackle Jeff Backus said it was a total team effort that managed to push down History's door.
"Execution, talent, schemes - at different times it was different things. It was just one of those years it all kind of came together!"
The final imbroglio, as the nags trudge across the finish line:
1. Detroit (0-16; lost at Green Bay 31-21)
Mitigating Factors: Lions wrap up season for the B-10 ages with classic game where they give B-10 pollsters scare by recovering from early deficit to tie game at 14, only to secure loss by allowing two fourth quarter touchdowns…Consistent, well balanced defense becomes first defense in NFL history to allow two 100-yard receivers and two 100-yard rushers in one game.
Setting The Stage: After starting 2007 6-2, Lions have gone 1-23.
2. St. Louis (2-14; lost at Atlanta 31-27)
Mitigating Factors: Rams show B-10 medal stand mettle and claim initial Marv Levy Cup - given to the Bottom Ten's runner-up - by blowing rare fourth quarter lead…Rams lose despite gaining over 400 yards, including 202 on the ground, and having the ball for over 35 minutes...Rams offense key, turning two Falcon fourth-quarter turnovers into a punt and a field goal…
Clutch Time: Rams finish season with 10-game losing streak, which would have been impressive in any other season.
3. Kansas City (2-14; lost at Cincinnati 16-6)
Mitigating Factors: Chiefs earn medal stand berth with inspired loss, but lose out on runner-up position because their season-ending losing streak was only four games….Chiefs gain just 31 yards on the ground and offense forced to take pay cut after only being on field for 22 minutes…With losing streaks of three, four and seven games, Chiefs one of two NFL teams with three losing streaks of at least three games.
Drive Time: Of the Chiefs' nine drives, six last five or fewer plays, the first six end in punts and three begin inside their own ten-yard line.
4. Cleveland (4-12; lost at Pittsburgh 31-0)
Mitigating Factors: Browns recover from tough early stretch where they won three out of four to lose eight out of nine and earn B-10 leader board finish.…Cleveland gets special Post Office citation for mailing in last two games, both shutout losses…Browns produce ten or fewer points in nine games, and produced eleven in another.
Wait Till Next Decade: Browns impress B-10 pollsters with strong second half which included season ending six game losing streak and offense not producing a touchdown since ten days before Thanksgiving.
5. Seattle (4-12; lost at Arizona 34-21)
Mitigating Factors: Seahawks recover from curious two-game winning streak to lose finale to go from 2007 division championship to 2008 B-10 leader board finish…Offense key against Cardinals, mustering just 87 yards on the ground and going 3 for 13 on third down.
Yeah, We Bad: Half of 2008 wins came against St. Louis.
Caught In the Lint Trap:
6. AFC West (23-41) - AFC's worst division issued the newly renamed Marty Schottenheimer Belt Buckle - symbolic of being the AFC's worst division - as champion needed four game, season ending win streak to finish 8-8!
7. Dallas (9-7) - Annoying, tedious Cowboys needed to win just one of final two games to clinch playoff spot, cowboy up and go 0-2!
8. New England (11-5) - Won final, must win game, still couldn't make playoffs!
9. NFC West (22-42) - Wins Ray Malavasi Pin, given to NFC's worst division, despite having every team win a game…Gets nod based on not having any team reach double figures in wins, B-10 perennial Arizona as division champions.
10.Oakland (5-11) - Raiders finish with two straight wins, stay in B-10 by virtue of being one of two teams in league with three losing streaks of at least three games.
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