Yes, the Detroit Lions are losers of historic proportions. Should they fall at home to Washington on Sunday, they will drop into a morass visited by only one team in NFL annals.
After becoming the only club to go 0-16 in a season, the Lions have lost their first two games this year. Add on a loss in the 2007 finale, and that makes 19 straight. By falling to the Redskins, Detroit would trail only the 1976-77 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who lost the first 26 games of their existence: 0-14, then 0-12 before taking their final two matches in 1977.
At least the Bucs had something of an excuse as an expansion team. Then again, some Motor City folks believe the Big Ten would turn down the Lions for not being good enough to compete with the Wolverines and Spartans.
Now, here come the Redskins, who squeezed by weak St. Louis 9-7 at home last Sunday. The Skins are 6 1/2-point favorites at Ford Field, even though they've been among the most disappointing teams through two weeks of the schedule.
Washington's offense has scored one touchdown.
``All you can do is scratch your head,'' receiver Santana Moss said. ``I mean, yeah, it's true, we have the talent. You're sitting there saying, 'Man, we should be doing this, we should be doing that.' But 'should be' ain't good enough, you know what I mean?''
The Lions know all about not being good enough. Already, fans are calling for coach Jim Schwartz to bench top overall draft pick Matthew Stafford for Daunte Culpepper. After so much losing this decade, why should they be patient?
But Schwartz should be, particularly with the best matchup Detroit will get until November.
Dare we? We dare ...
UPSET SPECIAL: LIONS, 14-13
Jacksonville (plus 4 1/2) at Houston
BEST BET: A chance for Texans to back up their big win at Tennessee and eradicate that ugly opener vs. Jets.
TEXANS, 27-14
Tennessee (plus 2) at
New York JetsA smart man who once did these picks says teams not good enough to be 3-0 won't be. Same goes for bad and 0-3 teams.
TITANS, 16-14
Kansas City (off) at Philadelphia
Donovan McNabb's uncertain availability means no point spread. Eagles need to rebound regardless of their QB.
EAGLES, 23-7
Cleveland (plus 14) at Baltimore
Mangini's Mess vs. Rollicking Ravens. Do Browns have enough pride to make it close?
RAVENS, 24-13
New York Giants (minus 6 1/2) at Tampa Bay
Tough turnaround for Giants. Normally could be a trap, but not against these Bucs.
GIANTS, 27-10
Green Bay (minus 8 1/2) at St. Louis
Packers blew one against Bengals. They won't blow another to weak opponent.
PACKERS, 24-7
San Francisco (plus 6 1/2) at Minnesota
A pair of 2-0 teams and first home game for Vikings. Difficult spot for developing Niners.
VIKINGS, 16-7
Atlanta (plus 5) at New England
Is this the week real Patriots show up? Or have we seen the real Patriots?
PATRIOTS, 21-17
Chicago (minus 1) at Seattle
Seahawks need Matt Hasselbeck at QB to have a chance.
BEARS, 15-13
New Orleans (minus 6) at Buffalo
It could be windy in Orchard Park. Or it could be Brees-y.
SAINTS, 27-14
Miami (plus 7 1/2) at San Diego
Let's see if the Dolphins can hold the ball for 55 minutes and still lose.
CHARGERS, 21-14
Pittsburgh (minus 6) at Cincinnati
Still can't believe how poorly Steelers played in Chicago. That almost never happens in Cincinnati.
STEELERS, 20-10
Denver (plus 2 1/2) at Oakland
Hard to believe Broncos might be 3-0. Or that Raiders might be 2-1.
BRONCOS, 20-17
Indianapolis (pick 'em) at Arizona
Colts play on Monday night, then must travel out to the desert the next week? Doesn't seem fair.
CARDINALS, 27-24
Carolina (plus 9 1/2) at Dallas (Monday)
Does Jerry Jones move the 'Boys back to Texas Stadium if they lose this one?
COWBOYS, 21-14
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RECORD:
Versus spread, 9-7 (17-14-1 season); Straight up, 10-6 (23-9 season)
Best Bet: 0-2
Upset Special: 2-0Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
