The Detroit Lions is one of the most storied franchises in the NFL, but in the 2008 season, they made history for all the wrong reasons. They became the first team in NFL history to go winless in a 16-game season, finishing with a record of 0-16. One of the most memorable moments of that season was when the Lions faced off against the Green Bay Packers on December 28, 2008. The game was not only significant because it was the last game of the season, but it was also the game that sealed the Lions' fate as the worst team in NFL history.
However, what made this game stand out was the call by the Lions' play-by-play announcer, Dan Miller. His call of the final play of the game has become iconic, and it has been etched in the minds of Lions fans, both good and bad, for over a decade. In this article, we will take a look back at that game, the 2008 season, and Dan Miller's legendary call.
The 2008 Season
The 2008 season was a disaster for the Lions. They had just hired a new head coach, Rod Marinelli, in 2006, and he was in his third season with the team. The Lions had finished the 2007 season with a record of 7-9, which was a significant improvement from the previous year. However, things took a turn for the worse in 2008.
The Lions started the season with a loss to the Atlanta Falcons, and things only got worse from there. They lost their next five games and had a record of 0-6 heading into their game against the Houston Texans. The game against the Texans was a close one, and the Lions had a chance to win it in the final seconds. However, kicker Jason Hanson missed a 47-yard field goal attempt, and the Lions lost 28-21. This loss set the tone for the rest of the season, and the Lions went on to lose their remaining nine games, finishing with a record of 0-16.
The Game Against the Packers
The Lions' final game of the season was against their divisional rivals, the Green Bay Packers. The Packers had already clinched a playoff spot, and the Lions had nothing to play for except to avoid making history. However, the game did not start well for the Lions. They were down 14-0 in the first quarter, and things were looking bleak.
The Lions managed to score a touchdown in the second quarter, but they missed the extra point attempt, making the score 14-6. The Packers scored another touchdown in the third quarter, and the Lions were down 21-6 heading into the fourth quarter. The Lions managed to score another touchdown, but they failed to convert the two-point conversion, making the score 21-12.
Dan Miller's Call
The Lions had one last chance to avoid making history. They had the ball on the Packers' one-yard line with only a few seconds left in the game. Quarterback Dan Orlovsky took the snap and rolled out to his right, but he stepped out of bounds in the end zone, resulting in a safety. The final score of the game was 31-21 in favor of the Packers.
However, it was Dan Miller's call of the final play that has become legendary. His call of "Orlovsky... rolling... rolling... and he steps out of the back of the end zone... that's a safety... and that's going to do it" has been etched in the minds of Lions fans for over a decade. It was a somber moment for Lions fans, but Miller's call was a bright spot in an otherwise dark season.
Conclusion
The 2008 season was a forgettable one for the Detroit Lions, but the game against the Green Bay Packers will always be remembered for Dan Miller's iconic call. While it was a disappointing end to the season, the Lions have since rebounded and have had some success in recent years. However, the 2008 season will always be a reminder of how quickly things can go wrong in the NFL.
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