:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57798625/150866895.jpg.0.jpg)
Week 13. This is a big one. It doesn’t look like a big one at first glance, but everyone knows what this game represents. This the first stop on the Lions’ quest to win five in a row and make it into the playoffs. Can they do it? I don’t know. Let’s talk a little about the Lions and five-game winning streaks, shall we?
The Lions have enjoyed five-game winning streaks 14 times in their history. The last time they accomplished that feat was way back in 2016. That’s gotta make you feel a little better, right? The Lions have won the last five games of the season seven times, the last time coming in 1995. They also did it in 1991, the same year the Lions last won a playoff game.
Speaking of 1991 and 1995, those two seasons are the only seasons the Lions have won Weeks 13 through 17. The previous five were before the NFL switched to 17 weeks.
It’s time to go back in time. Way back to when I was Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It in Miami in my sweet Lee Pipes and my Damon Stoudamire jersey. The Lions traveled out to Baltimore to play the Ravens for the first time. They lost 19-10. The Lions and the Ravens would play three more times. The Lions are 1-3 against them, their only win coming in 2005.
To the social media stuff!
How many times did the Lions beat the ACTUAL Ravens team before it moved to Baltimore?
— Matub's heart was broken by a collarbone (@CallMeMatub) November 28, 2017
I see what you’re getting at here. The Lions are 19-5 all time against the Cleveland Browns. I always thought it was sad when the Browns moved to Baltimore and then won the Super Bowl just four years later. Imagine if that happened to the Lions. Ouch.
What was the passing yardage for the opposing QB again the Lions the last time they faced the team dead last in passing yards per game?
— Mike Kailing (@Mike_Kailing) November 28, 2017
The Lions last played the team to hold this distinction in 2015. They allowed Case Keenum, then on the Rams, to throw for just 124 yards. The Lions still lost because they couldn’t get in the end zone but Todd Gurley could for the Rams. Of course, the Lions were 18th in points per game at that time. They’re fifth in 2017.
When was the last time the Lions were 6-5 and how did their season end?
— Ultimate Potato (@potato_ultimate) November 28, 2017
You’re not going to like this. The last time the Lions were 6-5 was the last year the Lions needed to take advantage of a fallen Aaron Rodgers. If you remember the 2013 season correctly, the Lions went 1-4 down the stretch and missed the playoffs. Rodgers came back and squeaked out the division with the Packers. Jim Schwartz got fired.
If it makes you feel better, this team is a lot better than that team. They don’t have to rely on Kris Durham to make plays. Also, the Lions have gone 6-5 11 total times in their history. They’ve finished at or above .500 eight of those times.
I know the Lions have never won in Baltimore against the Ravens, but did they ever win in Baltimore against the Colts?
— Calleb (@PrimetimeCY) November 28, 2017
Yes. The Lions were 9-8-1 against the Baltimore Colts in Baltimore. Good times. But that, of course, means the Lions haven’t won in Baltimore since December of 1977.
That’s going to do it for this week’s Random Stats. Unfortunately, there won’t be a “What Just Happened?” this week. The wife and I will be out in Las Vegas and will be in the air during the game. I don’t know what to expect in Las Vegas. All I know is that I hope it’s like this.