Lions Diary

Unbelievable. That's the word most often used to describe the Detroit Lions one point loss to Minnesota today. Even many of the veteran media types around the Motor City were using that word. I'd expect that from the out-of-town guys, but not anyone who has paid any attention to Lions football over the last ten, twenty or thirty years.

Today's defeat was many things, but it was not unbelievable. In fact, it was completely believable to fans of a team that has been unable to get out of its own way for almost half a century.

The Lions fell behind in this contest, mostly courtesy of long Vikings' pass plays. However, just when you thought the Leos were dead, Joey Harrington (yes, that Joey Harrington) led the Honolulu Blue and Silver to two fourth quarter touchdown drives. The last one coming with only seconds left on the clock. That's when the totally believable happened.

Jason Hanson, one of the more dependable kickers in the league, lined up to kick a game tying PAT. Unfortunately, the snapper didn't quite peform his job perfectly. A lousy snap arrived at holder Nick Harris on the hop. Harris did snag the ball, but Hanson never got close to attempting a kick. Harris was tackled while trying to retreive the misfired snap. The clock runs out. Minnesota wins, 28-27.

Disappointing. Depressing. Disheartening. Even typical would be an accurate description. It was anything but unbelievable. Maybe in football towns like Pittsburgh, Washington D.C., Dallas or Denver, where multiple Vince Lombardi Trophies reside, unbelievable would be an appropriate synopsis. However, here, in Detroit, this keystone cop routine is all too familar.

Anyone want to relive Marty Mornhinweg's choice to kick-off in overtime? How about Bobby Ross' infamous two-point decision versus Arizona? Anyone recall Sterling Sharpe running unguarded down the Silverdome sideline? The blow-out playoff losses at Philadelphia or in D.C.? Ed Murray's miss in 'Frisco?

A regular season, one point loss to Minnesota due to a bad PAT snap is hardly unbelievable. In light of Lions' history, it barely merits mentioning amongst heartbreaking or unexplainable defeats. This sort of loss has been happening to Detroit's NFL entry for almost fifty years now. When the Lions start winning games like this one, then people can start tossing around unbelievable again.