Random Stats: Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts

Are we there yet? Stay calm, Lions fans. We’re just days away from the Lions’ season opener against the Indianapolis Colts. As for today, I’m happy to bring Lions fans the first random stats piece of the 2016 season.

For those not familiar with how Random Stats works, imagine a world where you can stump your friends or coworkers with useless and random, yet interesting to learn, knowledge about the Lions upcoming games. I promise to bring you that useless and random knowledge every week this season and beyond.

Let’s jump right into things by going way back to 1953.

History

October 3rd, 1953 to be exact. Clark Gable and Ava Gardner were lighting up the screen in Mogambo and everyone was dancing to You, you you by the Ames Brothers. The type of time that makes you glad you weren’t there. Meanwhile at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, the Lions were facing the Colts for the first time ever. The Lions would pick up the win with a score of 27-17.

The NFL was a different place back then. The league was divided into two conferences, much like today, but there were no divisions. Because of this, the Lions and Colts would face off twice a year from 1953 to 1967. So at one point in time, the Colts were one of the Lions biggest rivals in the NFL Western Conference.

Over the years things changed, but the Lions and Colts still got together to play football on occasion. 40 times, if you’re wondering. The Colts currently have the upper hand as the Lions are 18-20-2 against Indy.

That may not look so bad, but when you realize the Lions haven’t beat the Colts since a 32-10 win in 1997, it gets a little disheartening. Funny thing about that particular games is that the Colts quarterback at the time was none other than current University of Michigan head coach, Jim Harbaugh.

On the road

Let’s get particular. The Lions will be playing the Colts on the road in Week 1. So let’s look at how the Lions have fared in Baltimore and Indy throughout the years. The answer? Not too bad. The Lions are 9-10-1 when facing the Colts on the road.

To be even more random, the Lions last away game in Baltimore was in 1978. They didn’t visit the Indianapolis Colts for another 13 years when Rodney Peete and the Lions beat the Jeff George and the Colts 33-24 at the Hoosier Dome.

Week 1

The Lions and Colts have played against each other in Week 1 three times, but the last time was way back in 1959. In fact, all three times were right in a row. The Lions did not fare well at all, as they are 0-3 against the Colts in Week 1 action.

57 years later, who knows what may happen? The Lions have seen Andrew Luck and the Colts recently in 2012. This game resulted in a loss for Detroit. It’s one of the three wins that the Colts have had over NFC North teams during Andrew Luck’s career. The Lions can’t say the same, as they’ve only won one game against AFC South during Stafford’s career. That win came during the dismal 2012 season against a lowly Jacksonville Jaguars team.

What do you think Lions fans? What kind of random stats would you like to see next week? Be sure to leave your comments below or come chat with me on Twitter @POD_Payton.