Detroit Lions: The Heart of a Lion

[OSX2k9]

Detroit Lions Franchise: The Heart of a Lion

 

Franchise Information
System/Game: Xbox 360/Madden NFL 10
Sliders/Coaching Sliders: Valderez Simulation Sliders 2.0/Jaymee13 Coaching Sliders
Team: Detroit Lions (Controlling all 32)
Draft: NCAA 10 Draft Classes
Starting Year: 2011 (I'll show reviews of the previous seasons)

"The Curse of Bobby Layne...We've never won a Super Bowl....1 Playoff win in what, 50 years?....0-16...These thing will forever be associated with our Franchise, but with that it doesn't mean we can't turn this thing around and also associate ourselves with Greatness"

[OSX2k9]

Lions Season by Season

Lions
Year	Record	Division Place	Playoffs
2009	5-11	3rd	Did Not Qualify
2010	8-8	3rd	Did Not Qualify
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016

[OSX2k9]

Super Bowl History
Year	NFC Team	Score	AFC Team	MVP
2009(XLIV)	Vikings	28-21	Colts	Adrian Peterson
2010(XLV)	Falcons	8-34	Ravens	Joe Flacco
2011(XLVI)
2012(XLVII)
2013(XLVIII)
2014(XLIX)
2015(L)
2016(LI)
2017(LII)
2018(LIII)

Awards Coming Soon.

[OSX2k9]

2009 Season Review

Favre Shuns the Doubters

Brett Favre became the oldest QB to win a Super Bowl with The Vikings 28-21 victory over Peyton Manning and the Colts. Many people thought the Favre-Vikings experiment would fail horribly. Especially after his lackluster play late through the season, but that was not that case as the Vikes turned it around in the playoffs. In the Divisional Round game they routed the Cardinals 62-29, then held off the Saints on the road 27-24. Favre tossed 2 TD's and 1 INT as the Vikings worked behind his arm and AP's 104 yards on the ground in Super Bowl XLIV. The Vikings, much like the Giants in 2007 ended a perfect season of an opponent and kept the 72' Dolphins as the only members of Perfectionville.

Colts Semi-Perfect

The Colts became the second team in the past two years to have a perfect 16-0 season. They also became the second team in the past couple years to blow true perfection in the Super Bowl. Much like their arch-rival Patriots, the Colts had a chance to join the 72' Dolphins, but failed to get the most important thing of them all, a championship. But, the bright side is a 16-0 season is something that should be looked at as an accomplishment. Along with the 16-0 record they also set the record for most regular season games won in a row at 26.

Jay Cutler Fails to Bring Chicago Success

Chicago fans were ecstatic when they heard of the Cutler-Orton trade, while Bronco fans felt pissed to say the least. Well after last season they both may feel the exact opposite of what was felt after the trade went down. Orton nearly lead the Broncos to a division title and failed to miss the playoffs by just a one game. While on the other hand Cutler lead the Bears to the bottom of the NFC North with a lackluster 4-12 record. He finished the season with 17 TD's and 15 INT's, just 2,862 yards and a passer rating of 69.7. He heard it from the Chicago faithful during a few rough games at Soldier Field. Fans even feel like he got Lovie Smith canned. Cutler says "I just hope next year I can show the fans of Chicago what I can really offer.

Brady Sets Single-Game Passing TD Record

After missing a whole season of action you would think even a Quarterback at Tom Brady's level would show rust. Wrong! Brady torched the Bills for 435 Yards and threw 8 TD Passes setting the new single-game record for Touchdown passes as the Pats routed the Bills 59-20 in the season opener. The Bills newly acquired T.O. stood on the sideline in awe. No one in Gillette Stadium that day will ever forget that game. Brady gave the show of a lifetime which would have to be one of the most inspirational performances of all-time Brady once again proved why he is considered one of the best QB's of the decade with that performance.

Who Dey!

Out of all the surprises of 2009, the Bengals were definitely up the list. I guess Hard Knocks did actually pay off for the once known Bungals. The Bengals started off looking the same with a 29-22 loss to the Broncos in the opener, but soon after the exploded and won 11 straight games en route to a 12-4 record. One of the most surprising things about the record would be the 7-0 division record. That's right, not only did the Bengals(The Bengals!) sweep the AFC North (Yes, the division with the World Champs and the Ravens in it) during the regular season, they beat the Ravens a third time during the opening round in the playoffs. The Bengals almost made it to the Conference Finals but fell short after a tremendous performance by Phillip Rivers and the Chargers.

2009 Leaders

Passing

Tom Brady 360 Comp, 4707 Yards, 45 TD
Drew Brees 341 Comp, 4,037 Yards, 40 TD
Peyton Manning 363 Comp, 4,608 Yards, 35 TD

Rushing

Ricky Williams 321 Carries, 1663 yards, 16 TD
Deangelo Williams 276 Carries, 1,608, 12 TD
Chris Johnson 301 Carries, 1,512, 13 TD

Receiving

Sidney Rice 117 Rec, 1,467 14 TD
Chad Ochocinco 98 Rec, 1,369, 15 TD
Larry Fitzgerald 98 Rec, 1,651, 10 TD

Defensive

James Harrison 111 Tackles, 22 Sacks, 1 INT
James Farrior 131 Tackles, 5 Sacks
James Laurinatis 123 Tackles, 2 INT

Awards

MVP-Tom Brady
Offensive Player-Tom Brady
Defensive Player- James Harrison
Offensive Rookie-Matthew Stafford
Defensive Rookie-James Laurinatis
Coach of the Year-Jim Caldwell

Final Standings

NFC North
	13-3
	11-5
	5-11
	4-12

NFC South
	14-2
	9-7
	8-8
	5-11

NFC East
	11-5
	10-6
	4-12
	3-13

NFC West
	11-5
	8-8
	7-9
	1-15

AFC North
	12-4
	10-6
	9-7
	2-14

AFC South
	16-0
	8-8
	7-9
	7-9

AFC East
	11-5
	7-9
	5-11
	4-12

AFC West
	14-2
	9-7
	6-10
	5-11

Playoffs

Home teams in CAPS
Wild Card

BENGALS 27, Ravens 19
CARDINALS 34, Giants 17
Steelers 30, PATRIOTS 23
EAGLES 35, Packers 29

Divisional

COLTS 30, Steelers 16
SAINTS 27, Eagles 16
CHARGERS 38, Bengals 35
VIKINGS 62, Cardinals 29

Conference Championship
COLTS 29, Chargers 27
Vikings 27, SAINTS 23

Pro Bowl
AFC 52, NFC 35

Super Bowl
Vikings 28, COLTS 21

[OSX2k9]

Detroit Lions 2009 Schedule
Week	Date	Opponent	Record	Result
1	Sep 13	at Saints (1-0)	0-1	L 20-30
2	Sep 20	Vikings (2-0)	0-2	L 29-39
3	Sep 27	Redskins (1-2)	1-2	W 23-22
4	Oct 4	at Bears (1-3)	2-2	W 28-24
5	Oct 11	Steelers (2-3)	2-3	L 15-52
6	Oct 18	at Packers (3-2)	2-4	L 14-16
7	Bye
8	Nov 1	Rams (0-8)	3-4	W 28-12
9	Nov 8	at Seahawks (5-3)	3-5	L 24-27
10	Nov 15	at Vikings (8-1)	3-6	L 17-22
11	Nov 22	Browns (1-9)	4-6	W 16-10
12	Nov 26	Packers (7-4)	4-7	L 16-34
13	Dec 6	at Bengals (11-1)	4-8	L 24-27
14	Dec 13	at Ravens (7-6)	4-9	L 17-31
15	Dec 20	Cardinals(10-4)	4-10	L 16-38
16	Dec 27	at 49ers (6-9)	4-11	L 17-28
17	Jan 3	Bears (4-12)	5-11	W 27-10

[OSX2k9]

2010 Season Preview

>

Brett Trying to Pull an Elway

Favre is returning for a 20th season. Rather than hanging it up while on top Favre did not hesitate to say he would rejoin the Vikings. He said he wants to win another one for the Minnesota and feels he has another season in him. One could only imagine how Packer fans are feeling at the this announcement. Not only did he sweep his old team, he walked away with a championship from one of their most hated rivals. With that being said I can't wait to see Favre return to Lambeau Field again in what should be a brutal thrilling match between the two teams. Remember December 12, 2010 Week 14, Vikings at Packers, the Game of the Year.

Did the Panthers Grab a Franchise QB or a Bust

Last year the Carolina Panthers saw their QB Jake Delhomme take another season -ending injury forcing back-up Matt Moore to start. Despite Moore's decent performance, the Panthers failed to make the playoffs. With Delhomme injuring his throwing arm and his age into account the Panthers sought out to find a Franchise QB. In comes Jason Campbell. Campbell chose not to sign with the Skins over the off-season. Despite coming off his worse season as a starter with 19 Touchdown passes and 22 Interceptions, the Panthers clearly saw something in him enough to sign him on the first day of free agency. Campbell was signed to a 5 Year/$39.86M contract with $15.45M guaranteed. Let's see how he handles another offense system with the Panthers two-headed monster of D. Williams and J. Stewart.

Going Back to Cali

The St. Louis Rams are moving back to Los Angeles. It was a moved that shocked all of St. Louis. This move came after Jerry Buss, owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, bought the Rams from Rosenbolom, Rodriguez, and Kroenke. They will stay in the NFC West, but the move makes the division more geographically sound now. Also, they will continue to play in Dome, for now. The new Stadium is known as the Los Angeles Dome. So with this move the Rams will spend their final season in St. Louis in 2010. They hope to have better success after last year's 1-15 disaster.

Vick Finds a Team

Michael Vick found a starting job. He is now a part of the Buffalo Bills. We can't wait to see how he and Terrell Owens coexist (well, if Owens will not be moved).

Coaching Changes

Several teams made key coaching changes that should have significant effects on the Franchises as a whole. The key moves include the Eagles dumping Andy Reid, thus ending the McNabb-Reid relationship. Wade Phillips was given the boot, after a disastrous season, losing the first 11 games of the season. Lovie Smith was also removed after failing to even finish third in the NFC North. So with these three high-profile coaches removed what would happen? Well Andy Reid joined the division rival Cowboys, which could cause for some great division matches in the future. Lovie Smith is now the head of the Eagles helm. The NFC East seems to have gotten a big-shakeup to the already "best" division in all of football. And last, an interesting move as the Bears bi-passed Phillips after several interviews to take someone who is very familiar with the Franchise, Ron Rivera. Rivera was a Bears linebacker during their Championship season, then he was Defensive coordinator during the Bears loss in Super Bowl XLI against the Colts. He soon joined the Chargers as coordinator as the inside linebacker coach, the getting promoted to a D Coordinator, only to get a call from the Bears for a head coaching position. It seems the Bears want someone that has learned from Smith to keep somewhat of the same Defensive philosophy. The 2010 season seems to have great change in it and it seems like it will definitely be an exciting year.


Who Will Dominate?
-Vikings: Look for the Vikings to Dominate once again and make it to the Conference Championship at the very least.

-Chargers: They are hungry, I can tell after last year's rampage through the season. Not that many teams have the talent and skill that the Chargers posses.

Who Will Be a Sleeper?

-Chiefs: Look for the Chiefs to have a surprising season. I feel the AFC West has the potential to be a strong division and the Chiefs have the potential to make a contender this year or at least be a strong spoiler.

-49ers: I'm staying in the West with this one, this time the NFC. The 49ers are in a weak division and they really haven't seemed to blossom yet. The thing is they usually are money against the Cardinals, so it's just a matter of winning the other key games. And then they finish the season with a weak list of opponents. So I think they can smell playoffs in this case.

Who Will Fall From Grace?

-Saints: I felt this team was probably the best at some point last year, till the very end. They seemed to collapse despite reaching the Conference Championship. I just really can't see this team making as much noise as they did last year with the Panthers slowly rebuilding back to form, and the Falcons rising to an elite team. I look for them to falter and continue to NFC South Curse.

Who Will Win it All?

-Patriots: They are just too good. Brady looks hungry, Moss looks hungry, this team is just very hungry. I really don't see anyone beating them in the playoffs if they stay healthy. I pick them to win it all.

__________________
-----
Will not change this sig till' The Detroit Lions make the playoffs.

Detroit Lions: The Heart of a Lion
Season 3: 7-0

[OSX2k9]

Ravens dominate the NFL

After an impressive off-season the Baltimore Ravens shook the NFL winning its first 13 games, before going 14-2 and winning "The Big One". Over the off season the team made minor changes by adding a few receivers including Santana Moss. During the regular season they made a big gamble in getting controversial wide-out Terrell Owens for a few draft-picks from the Bills. The moved proved to not back-fire as T.O. knew what was at stake. With an high-powered offense and a feared Defense it was clear the Ravens were the team to beat. They traveled to the Super Bowl where they would face Matt Ryan and the Falcons. The Ravens dominated the game from the beginning snap defeating the Falcons 34-8. This game marked the second time these two faced that year with the Ravens winning 31-17. This game featured the two top Quarterbacks of the 2008 Draft, Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan. Ryan struggled in both games against the Ravens tough D, while Flacco benefited from the Falcons crippled secondary.

Redman Leads Falcons

Chris Redman led the Falcons charged into the Playoffs after a Week 9 injury to Matt Ryan in a game at Carolina. As a back-up Redman might have made a case as valuable QB, leading the Falcons to a 7-1 record as the starter, and the #1 seed in the NFC. Redman finished the season with 15 TD's, 7 INT's, and 2164 yards. He was put back on the bench after Ryan made a return in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.

More Notes Soon.


League Leaders


Tackles
Lance Briggs (CHI) 122
Brain Cushing (HOU)119
Curtis Lofton (ATL)117

Sacks (Yes, they are ridiculous)
Dwight Freeney (IND) 23.5
Justin Tuck (NYG) 23.0
Jared Allen (MIN) 21.5

Interceptions
Reggie Nelson (JAX) 9
Micheal Hamlin (DAL) 8
Rashean Mathis (JAX) 7

Passing Yards
Joe Flacco (BAL) 4,898
Peyton Manning (IND) 4,478
Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) 4,280

Passing TD's
Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) 40
Joe Flacco (BAL) 40
Peyton Manning (IND) 36

Rushing Yards
Brandon Jacobs (NYG) 1,810
Adrian Peterson (MIN) 1,656
Deangelo Williams (CAR) 1,547

Rushing TD's
Brandon Jacobs (NYG) 19
Chris Johnson (TEN) 13
Deangelo Williams (CAR) 13

Receptions
Larry Fitzgerald (ARI) 119
Santonio Holmes (PIT) 107
Roddy White (ATL) 107

Receiving Yards
Larry Fitzgerald (ARI) 1,705
Sidney Rice (MIN) 1,533
Santonio Holmes (PIT) 1,471

Receiving TD's
Steve Smith (NYG) 15
Derrick Mason (BAL) 13
Santonio Holmes (PIT) 12


Final Standings

NFC North
	12-4
	10-6
	8-8
	5-11

NFC South
	12-4
	11-5
	9-7
	2-14

NFC East
	12-4
	8-8
	8-8
	6-10

NFC West
	9-7
	8-8
	6-10
	5-11

AFC North
	14-2
	11-5
	8-8
	2-14

AFC South
	11-5
	10-6
	8-7-1
	4-11-1

AFC East
	10-6
	8-8
	6-10
	2-14

AFC West
	8-8
	8-8
	7-9
	6-10

Playoffs

Home team in Caps

Wild Card

PATRIOTS 45, COLTS 40
Packers 26, GIANTS 24
BRONCOS 29, Steelers 15
CARDINALS 29, Panthers 26

Divisional

RAVENS 31, Broncos 20
FALCONS 28, Cardinals 17
Patriots 30, Titans 19
VIKINGS 31, Packers 20

Conference Finals

RAVENS 40, Patriots 23
FALCONS 24, Vikings 21

Super Bowl

Ravens 33, FALCONS 8

Pro Bowl

AFC 28, NFC 13

[OSX2k9]

Detroit Lions 2010 Schedule
Week	Date	Opponent	Record	Result
1	Sep 12	at 49ers (0-1)	1-0	W 30-23
2	Sep 19	Packers (2-0)	1-1	L 20-23(OT)
3	Sep 26	at Vikings (3-0)	1-2	L 24-31
4	Oct 3	at Packers (3-0)	1-3	L 31-38
5	Bye
6	Oct 17	at Giants (4-2)	1-4	L 38-48
7	Oct 24	at Bears (1-6)	2-4	W 29-27
8	Oct 31	at Redskins (2-6)	3-4	W 27-20
9	Nov 7	Bills (1-7)	4-4	W 26-17
10	Nov 14	Eagles (4-5)	5-4	W 35-21
11	Nov 21	at Jets (4-6)	5-5	L 31-34
12	Nov 25	Vikings (8-3)	6-5	W 33-31
13	Dec 5	at Patriots (9-3)	6-6	L 34-37(OT)
14	Dec 12	Bears (5-8)	7-6	W 23-13
15	Dec 19	Panthers (9-5)	7-7	L 20-23
16	Dec 26	Cowboys (7-8)	7-8	L 10-41
17	Jan 2	Dolphins (6-10)	8-8	W 27-24