1994 Detroit Lions season

Offseason

Free Agency: The Lions signed Scott Mitchell, who had just replaced an injured Dan Marino.

NFL draft

Main article: 1994 NFL draft

Undrafted free agents

Personnel

Staff

• Owner and president – William Clay Ford Sr.

• Executive vice president and chief operating officer – Chuck Schmidt

• Treasurer – William Clay Ford Jr.

• Director of player personnel – Ron Hughes

• Director of pro scouting – Kevin Colbert

• Head coach – Wayne Fontes

• Assistant head coach/offense – Dave Levy

• Quarterbacks – Tom Moore

• Running backs – Billie Matthews

• Receivers – Charlie Sanders

• Tight ends/h-backs – Dave Jaumotte

• Offensive line – Paul Boudreau

• Defensive coordinator – Herb Paterra

• Defensive line – Lamar Leachman

• Linebackers – Howard Tippett

• Outside linebackers – Don Clemons

• Defensive backs – John Fontes

• Special teams – Steve Kazor

• Strength and conditioning/defensive assistant – Bert Hill

Roster

• Tom Beer FB

Regular season

Schedule

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1 vs. Atlanta Falcons

The Lions opened the 1994 season by hosting the Falcons, who were no longer with the services of defensive back Deion Sanders, now with San Francisco. Scott Mitchell and Jeff George erupted in the second half, combining for six touchdowns as the game lead tied or changed six times. In overtime the Lions drove down for Jason Hanson's winning field goal and a 31–28 final.

Week 2 at [[1994 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]]

Defense was the story as the two teams combined for just 501 yards of offense, four fumbles, two interceptions, 147 yards of penalties, and a 10–3 Vikings win.

Week 3 at [[1994 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]]

Barry Sanders accounted for 194 of the Lions' 379 total yards of offense, while the Cowboys fumbled away the ball three times.

Week 4 vs. [[1994 New England Patriots season|New England Patriots]]

Two Scott Mitchell interceptions proved decisive as the Patriots held on to win 23–17, despite 131 yards and two scores by Barry Sanders, highlighted when he outmaneuvered Harlon Barnett and Myron Guyton on one score; the NFL Films slow-motion clip of the score is the most replayed highlight in retrospectives on Sanders' career.

Week 5 at [[1994 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|Tampa Bay Buccaneers]]

Scott Mitchell and Derrick Moore rushing touchdowns were the only offense the Lions could generate as the Bucs held on to a 24–14 win.

Week 6 vs. [[1994 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco 49ers]]

The Lions suffered their third straight loss despite racing to a 14–0 lead; they sacked Steve Young and Young, suffering a pinched nerve, writhed in pain, his face turning red. He managed to limp to the sidelines; Elvis Grbac came in for one play (an incomplete pass) before Young recovered enough to come back in and lead the Niners to four touchdown drives (marred by a missed PAT) for the 27–21 Niners win.

Week 8 vs. [[1994 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]]

Despite giving up 400 yards of offense (and giving up two fumbles and a pick) and managing just 232 of their own (167 of them from Barry Sanders), the Lions intercepted Erik Kramer three times and Mel Gray's 102-yard kickoff return was decisive in a 21–16 Lions win.

Week 9 at [[1994 New York Giants season|New York Giants]]

After the Lions forced a safety in the first quarter, the game lead tied or changed five times as Barry Sanders rushed for 146 yards and caught two passes for 22 yards. Scott Mitchell was intercepted three times but managed two touchdowns, the last to Herman Moore in the fourth quarter. Dave Meggett's 56-yard punt return and Aaron Pierce's seven-yard catch in the fourth forced overtime, won 28–25 by the Lions on a 24-yard kick by Jason Hanson.

Week 10 at [[1994 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]]

The Lions fumbled three times and Scott Mitchell was benched after throwing two picks; Dave Krieg threw three touchdowns but the Lions could not overcome a 24–0 gap, falling 38–30.

Week 11 vs. [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]]

Barry Sanders exploded to 237 rushing yards as the Lions held the Bucs to three field goals, winning 14–9.

Week 12 at [[Chicago Bears]]

The Lions scored 10 points in the second quarter but that was all they could muster as the Bears outgained them in yards 338–180 and scored ten second-half points to win 20–10.

Week 13 [[Thanksgiving]] vs. [[1994 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills]]

Dave Krieg started and the Lions passing attack erupted to 351 yards and three touchdowns. The Bills fell behind 21–7 but clawed to within 28–21 in the fourth quarter, but Jim Kelly was intercepted by Willie Clay and Clay ran back the 28-yard touchdown that clinched the win for the Lions 35–21. Barry Sanders managed only 45 rushing yards and one touchdown. A glorious Thanksgiving Day for the Lions.

Week 14 vs. [[Green Bay Packers]]

The Lions and Packers squared off in a highly competitive contest as the game lead tied once and changed six times following the first quarter and a 14–3 Packers lead. Barry Sanders broke out 188 rushing yards and a touchdown while Dave Krieg managed 196 passing yards and two touchdowns. Brett Favre had three touchdowns but was picked off twice as the Lions rallied to win 34–31.

Week 15 at [[1994 New York Jets season|New York Jets]]

The post-November collapse of the 1994 Jets continued as Jason Hanson booted four field goals yet missed the PAT on a Barry Sanders touchdown catch. The Jets managed just 261 yards of offense and a Brad Baxter touchdown as the Lions won 18–7.

Week 16 vs. [[Minnesota Vikings]]

The four-way showdown for the NFC Central title took another twist as the Lions crushed the Vikings 41–19. The Lions needed only 284 yards of offense as Barry Sanders accounted for two touchdowns and Dave Krieg added a pair of scoring tosses. Warren Moon managed one touchdown and one pick and was replaced by Brad Johnson, but it couldn't help the Vikings overcome ten penalties for 98 yards.

Week 17 [[Christmas]] at [[1994 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]]

On Sunday Night Football both teams were locked in neck-and-neck divisional races; with the Patriots beating the Bears and the Packers downing the Buccaneers the day before, and the Vikings to face the 49ers on Monday Night, both teams had motive to win. It would not happen for the Lions as Dave Krieg was intercepted twice and Barry Sanders was held to 52 yards. Bernie Parmalee had 39 rushing yards and three touchdowns as the Dolphins won 27–20, winning the AFC East while the Lions made the playoffs as the NFC's fifth seed.

Standings

Playoffs

NFC Wild Card Game: At Green Bay Packers

The Packers defense held Lions running back Barry Sanders to −1 rushing yards while holding Brett Perriman to −4 rushing yards. The Lions managed just 171 total yards of offense, with 199 yards passing from Dave Krieg, but he was sacked 4 times, resulting in 28 yards loss.

Awards and honors

• Barry Sanders, All-Pro
• Barry Sanders, NFC Pro Bowl Selection
• Barry Sanders, NFL Offensive Player of the Year
• Barry Sanders, Club Record, Most Rushing Yards in One Game, 237 yards, November 13.

Milestones

• Barry Sanders, 6th consecutive 1000 yard season

References

References

1. "1994 Detroit Lions Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
2. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199409190dal.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2014-Feb-02.
3. NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, {{ISBN. 0-7611-2480-2, p. 114