Comparing the 2011 Detroit Lions to the 1999 Detroit Lions

The 2011 and Cheap Packers Jerseys 1999 Detroit Lions teams will forever be linked because they were the two most recent times this team made the NFL playoffs. They are also similar in many other ways. Many would say both team overachieved; the 1999 team went 8-8 and backdoored their way into the playoffs. The 2011 team went 10-6 and was the #6 seed in the NFC. Both had questionable running games, and both teams had questions about the defense moving forward.

. DE Robert Porcher would be a free agent following that season, and Mark Carrier was also in a contract year. The 2011 team has a very solid core of players up front. However, significant work needs to be done to the defensive secondary.

Of course Lions fans know 1999 was the first years after Barry Sanders. The leading rusher that year was . Jahvid Best was the Lions gaining just 390 yards. However, the 2011 Lions were without Best (for much of the Ravens Jerseys cheap season) and Mikel Leshoure both of who could return healthy in 2012 and provide the balance this offense needs.

Of course both teams lost the opening round of the playoffs on the road. The '99 team lost to the Washington Redskins 27-13, and that game Cheap Minnesota Vikings Jerseys was not that close. The '11 team lost to the New Orleans Saints 45-28 but that game was much closer than that score indicates.

The biggest different here is in the passing game. The '99 Lions had Charlie Batch and Gus Ferrotte pulling the trigger, and a pair of nice wide outs in Germaine Cromwell and Johnnie Morton. The '11 Lions have one of the best receivers in the game in Calvin Johnson, and a bunch on nice complimentary pieces in TE Brandon Pettigrew, WR Titus Young, and WR Nate Burleson.Not to mention QB Matthew Stafford who just got done throwing for 5,000 yards this season.

Overall, the 2011 Lions seem to be in a better spot to move forward. would come within a field goal of the NFL playoffs, and usher in the era of Matt Millen. Hopefully the 2011 Lions can become legit contenders and usher in a far better era for this team.

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