Detroit Lions vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers series history: Random Stats

Well dang it all to heck. The Detroit Lions’ season appears to have just four games left. After that, who knows at this point? The Lions have a chance to make it to the playoffs if they can win their next four games. That all has to start on Sunday when they play their old NFC Central foe, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Before we get too deep into that, let’s look at 6-6 and four-game win streaks to end the season.

The Lions have gone 6-6 eight times in their history. The last time was in 2007. The Lions started that season at 6-2. I took a quick nap and when I woke up, they were 7-9. Don’t get too scared, though. The Lions have made the playoffs in two of those 6-6 seasons. So don’t jump just yet.

As far as four-game win streaks to end the season, that has happened ten times in Lions history. The most recent was the 2012 season. But this Random Stat has all the greatest hits. It includes three championships, the 1991 season and the 1995 season. So, basically, the 2017 Lions have to do something that they’ve done in some of the franchise’s greatest seasons ever to give themselves a chance to make it to the playoffs.

As for the series history, let’s go back in time to 1977. Back to when Debby Boone’s ”You Light up my Life” was the No. 1 song on the radio, but this was the No. 1 song in your hearts.

The Lions welcomed the Tampa Bay Bucs to the Pontiac Silverdome for the first time. Speaking of Silverdome, I’m not crying, you’re crying. Anyhow, the Lions beat the Bucs 16-7 that day. These two teams would go on to play each other 56 more times. The Lions currently hold the edge with a 30-27 record over the team in Florida.

To the social media stuff!

Interesting. Why the Bucs would ever go away from these jerseys is beyond me, but they did. Maybe it’s because the Lions were 21-17 against them in those jerseys. But it’s likely because the Bucs wanted a “more intimidating look.”

In case you didn’t know it, the Lions aren’t the only team to ever go winless in a season. The Bucs also hold this distinction. However it’s been completely forgotten because the Bucs did it in 1976 and the Lions did it 10 years ago.

Here’s what we got. Since going winless in 1976, the Bucs are averaging 6.25 wins a year. Since going winless in 2008, the Lions are averaging 6.8 wins a year. So neither team has been that great. Although the Bucs were able to get it together long enough to win a Super Bowl with the Turkey Hole Man.

You’re not kidding. All told, Barry ran for 2,195 yards and 14 touchdowns on the Bucs in his career. Look up highlight reels, you’ll see Barry playing Tampa on all of them. Here have fun looking again.