1994 Detroit Lions season

NFL team season August 2023 March 2026 Detroit Lions 1994 9–7 3rd NFC Central Wayne Fontes Tom Moore Herb Paterra Chuck Schmidt William Clay Ford Sr. Pontiac Silverdome Lost Wild Card Playoffs(at Packers) 12–16 Lions seasons The 1994 Detroit Lions season was the 65th season in the National Football League (NFL). The Lions finished with a 9–7 record and made their second consecutive playoff appearance as one of the NFC's Wildcard teams—the first time the franchise had made the playoffs in consecutive non-strike seasons since 1954. The Lions underwent a complete overhaul at quarterback, as all three quarterbacks from 1993 left in free agency: Rodney Peete joined Dallas as a backup to Troy Aikman; Erik Kramer signed with division rival Chicago as their starter; and former Heisman Trophy winner Andre Ware signed with Minnesota but was cut before the season started, subsequently being picked up and later released by the Los Angeles Raiders without playing a single down. The Lions compensated by signing Miami backup Scott Mitchell to be their starter and Kansas City backup Dave Krieg to back him up, as well as bringing back Chuck Long as their third-string QB. Despite the signing of Mitchell, it was Kreig, a former starter in Seattle, who led the Lions into the playoffs following an injury to Mitchell. For the second consecutive year, the Lions lost in the playoffs to the Green Bay Packers. After the season, Milton Mack retired. Offseason Free Agency: The Lions signed Scott Mitchell, who had just replaced an injured Dan Marino. Additions SubtractionsQB Scott Mitchell (Dolphins) QB Erik Kramer (Bears)QB Dave Krieg (Chiefs) QB Rodney Peete (Cowboys)WR Anthony Carter (Vikings) WR Willie Green (Buccaneers)LB Scott Kowalkowski (Eagles) P Jim Arnold (Chiefs)LB Broderick Thomas (Buccaneers) LB George Jamison (Chiefs)LB Mike Johnson (Browns) G David Richards (Falcons)P Greg Montgomery (Oilers) WR Jeff Campbell (Broncos)CB Milton Mack (Buccaneers) WR Reggie Barrett (Seahawks) CB Tim McKyer (Steelers) QB Andre Ware (Vikings) G Bill Fralic (retirement) NFL draft 1994 NFL draft 1994 Detroit Lions 1 21 Johnnie Morton Wide receiver USC yes 2 57 Van Malone Safety Texas yes 3 93 Shane Bonham Defensive tackle Tennessee yes 4 124 Vaughn Bryant Cornerback Stanford 5 154 Tony Semple Guard Memphis yes 6 183 Jocelyn Borgella Cornerback Cincinnati yes 7 215 Tom Beer Linebacker Saginaw Valley State yes no no https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/det/1994_draft.htm 1994 Detroit Lions Draftees Pro-Football-Reference.com January 5, 2014 Undrafted free agents + 1994 undrafted free agents of note Player Position College Ernie Brown Defensive End Syracuse Josh Butland Punter Michigan State Eric Green Wide receiver Benedictine (IL) Jason Jones Guard Hampton John Oglesby Running back TCU Ricky Powers Running back Michigan James Wilson Defensive tackle Tennessee Richard Woodley Wide receiver TCU Personnel Staff 1994 Detroit Lions Owner and president – William Clay Ford Sr. Executive vice president and chief operating officer – Chuck Schmidt Treasurer – William Clay Ford Jr. Director of player personnel – Ron Hughes Director of pro scouting – Kevin Colbert Head coach – Wayne Fontes Assistant head coach/offense – Dave Levy Quarterbacks – Tom Moore Running backs – Billie Matthews Receivers – Charlie Sanders Tight ends/h-backs – Dave Jaumotte Offensive line – Paul Boudreau Defensive coordinator – Herb Paterra Defensive line – Lamar Leachman Linebackers – Howard Tippett Outside linebackers – Don Clemons Defensive backs – John Fontes Special teams – Steve Kazor Strength and conditioning/defensive assistant – Bert Hill Roster 1994 Detroit Lions 3 17 Dave Krieg 16 Chuck Long 13 Gino Torretta 48 Tom Beer FB 23 Mel Gray return specialist KR/PR 26 Eric Lynch American football 31 Derrick Moore running back 34 Ron Rivers y 20 Barry Sanders 81 Anthony Carter American football 83 Aubrey Matthews 84 Herman Moore 87 Johnnie Morton y 80 Brett Perriman 42 Larry Ryans 49 Ty Hallock 82 Rodney Holman 75 Lomas Brown T 66 Shawn Bouwens G 68 Leonard Burton C 74 Mike Compton American football G 76 Scott Conover G/T 53 Kevin Glover C 73 Dave Lutz T 71 Larry Tharpe T 67 Doug Widell G 96 Shane Bonham y DE 90 Dan Owens NT 91 Robert Porcher DE 94 Kelvin Pritchett DE 93 Marc Spindler NT 95 Mike Wells defensive lineman y DE/NT 99 Tracy Hayworth OLB 59 Mike Johnson linebacker ILB 57 Victor Jones linebacker ILB 52 Scott Kowalkowski ILB 55 Antonio London OLB 97 Tracy Scroggins OLB 54 Chris Spielman ILB 56 Pat Swilling OLB 51 Broderick Thomas OLB 36 Bennie Blades FS 27 Jocelyn Borgella y CB 32 Willie Clay SS 21 Harry Colon SS 25 Greg Jeffries CB 24 Milton Mack CB 39 Van Malone y FS 40 Robert Massey CB 47 Ryan McNeil American football CB  4 Jason Hanson K  9 Greg Montgomery P 63 Mark Rodenhauser LS 89 Ron Hall tight end TE IR 19 Scott Mitchell quarterback QB IR 38 Kevin Scott American football CB IR 62 Tony Semple y G IR 30 John Oglesby running back y RB 64 James Wilson defensive end y DE 44 Richard Woodley y WR 53 4 Regular season Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap 1 September 4 Atlanta Falcons W 31–28 (OT) 1–0 Pontiac Silverdome 60,740 Recap 2 September 11 at Minnesota Vikings L 3–10 1–1 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 57,349 Recap 3 September 19, 1994 at Dallas Cowboys W 20–17 (OT) 2–1 Texas Stadium 64,102 Recap 4 September 25 New England Patriots L 17–23 2–2 Pontiac Silverdome 59,618 Recap 5 October 2 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 14–24 2–3 Tampa Stadium 38,012 Recap 6 October 9 San Francisco 49ers L 21–27 2–4 Pontiac Silverdome 77,340 Recap 7 Bye 8 October 23 Chicago Bears W 21–16 3–4 Pontiac Silverdome 73,574 Recap 9 October 30 at New York Giants W 28–25 (OT) 4–4 Giants Stadium 75,124 Recap 10 November 6 at Green Bay Packers L 30–38 4–5 Milwaukee County Stadium 54,995 Recap 11 November 13 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 14–9 5–5 Pontiac Silverdome 50,814 Recap 12 November 20 at Chicago Bears L 10–20 5–6 Soldier Field 55,035 Recap 13 November 24 Buffalo Bills W 35–21 6–6 Pontiac Silverdome 75,672 Recap 14 December 4 Green Bay Packers W 34–31 7–6 Pontiac Silverdome 76,338 Recap 15 December 10, 1994 at New York Jets W 18–7 8–6 Giants Stadium 56,080 Recap 16 December 17, 1994 Minnesota Vikings W 41–19 9–6 Pontiac Silverdome 73,881 Recap 17 December 25 at Miami Dolphins L 20–27 9–7 Joe Robbie Stadium 70,980 Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. Game summaries Week 1 vs. Atlanta Falcons The Lions opened the 1994 season by hosting the Falcons, who were no longer with the services of defensive back Deion Sanders, now with San Francisco. Scott Mitchell and Jeff George erupted in the second half, combining for six touchdowns as the game lead tied or changed six times. In overtime the Lions drove down for Jason Hanson's winning field goal and a 31–28 final. Week 2 at Minnesota Vikings Defense was the story as the two teams combined for just 501 yards of offense, four fumbles, two interceptions, 147 yards of penalties, and a 10–3 Vikings win. Week 3 at Dallas Cowboys Lions 3 7 7 0 3 Cowboys 7 0 3 7 0 September 19 Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas 8:00 p.m. 64,102 73 F; wind 9 mph on Frank Gifford, Al Michaels, Dan Dierdorf ABC yes Q1 DAL Alvin Harper 17 yard pass from Troy Aikman (Chris Boniol kick) DAL 7–0 Q1 DET Jason Hanson 32 yard field goal DAL 7–3 Q2 DET Brett Perriman 25 yard pass from Scott Mitchell (Jason Hanson kick) DET 10–7 Q3 DET Herman Moore 9 yard pass from Scott Mitchell (Jason Hanson kick) DET 17–7 Q3 DAL Chris Boniol 19 yard field goal DET 17–10 Q4 DAL Emmitt Smith 6 yard run (Chris Boniol kick) Tie 17–17 OT DET Jason Hanson 44 yard field goal DET 20–17 yes Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2014-Feb-02. Barry Sanders accounted for 194 of the Lions' 379 total yards of offense, while the Cowboys fumbled away the ball three times. Week 4 vs. New England Patriots Two Scott Mitchell interceptions proved decisive as the Patriots held on to win 23–17, despite 131 yards and two scores by Barry Sanders, highlighted when he outmaneuvered Harlon Barnett and Myron Guyton on one score; the NFL Films slow-motion clip of the score is the most replayed highlight in retrospectives on Sanders' career. Week 5 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers Scott Mitchell and Derrick Moore rushing touchdowns were the only offense the Lions could generate as the Bucs held on to a 24–14 win. Week 6 vs. San Francisco 49ers The Lions suffered their third straight loss despite racing to a 14–0 lead; they sacked Steve Young and Young, suffering a pinched nerve, writhed in pain, his face turning red. He managed to limp to the sidelines; Elvis Grbac came in for one play (an incomplete pass) before Young recovered enough to come back in and lead the Niners to four touchdown drives (marred by a missed PAT) for the 27–21 Niners win. Week 8 vs. Chicago Bears Despite giving up 400 yards of offense (and giving up two fumbles and a pick) and managing just 232 of their own (167 of them from Barry Sanders), the Lions intercepted Erik Kramer three times and Mel Gray's 102-yard kickoff return was decisive in a 21–16 Lions win. Week 9 at New York Giants After the Lions forced a safety in the first quarter, the game lead tied or changed five times as Barry Sanders rushed for 146 yards and caught two passes for 22 yards. Scott Mitchell was intercepted three times but managed two touchdowns, the last to Herman Moore in the fourth quarter. Dave Meggett's 56-yard punt return and Aaron Pierce's seven-yard catch in the fourth forced overtime, won 28–25 by the Lions on a 24-yard kick by Jason Hanson. Week 10 at Green Bay Packers The Lions fumbled three times and Scott Mitchell was benched after throwing two picks; Dave Krieg threw three touchdowns but the Lions could not overcome a 24–0 gap, falling 38–30. Week 11 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Barry Sanders exploded to 237 rushing yards as the Lions held the Bucs to three field goals, winning 14–9. Week 12 at Chicago Bears The Lions scored 10 points in the second quarter but that was all they could muster as the Bears outgained them in yards 338–180 and scored ten second-half points to win 20–10. Week 13 Thanksgiving vs. Buffalo Bills Dave Krieg started and the Lions passing attack erupted to 351 yards and three touchdowns. The Bills fell behind 21–7 but clawed to within 28–21 in the fourth quarter, but Jim Kelly was intercepted by Willie Clay and Clay ran back the 28-yard touchdown that clinched the win for the Lions 35–21. Barry Sanders managed only 45 rushing yards and one touchdown. A glorious Thanksgiving Day for the Lions. Week 14 vs. Green Bay Packers The Lions and Packers squared off in a highly competitive contest as the game lead tied once and changed six times following the first quarter and a 14–3 Packers lead. Barry Sanders broke out 188 rushing yards and a touchdown while Dave Krieg managed 196 passing yards and two touchdowns. Brett Favre had three touchdowns but was picked off twice as the Lions rallied to win 34–31. Week 15 at New York Jets The post-November collapse of the 1994 Jets continued as Jason Hanson booted four field goals yet missed the PAT on a Barry Sanders touchdown catch. The Jets managed just 261 yards of offense and a Brad Baxter touchdown as the Lions won 18–7. Week 16 vs. Minnesota Vikings The four-way showdown for the NFC Central title took another twist as the Lions crushed the Vikings 41–19. The Lions needed only 284 yards of offense as Barry Sanders accounted for two touchdowns and Dave Krieg added a pair of scoring tosses. Warren Moon managed one touchdown and one pick and was replaced by Brad Johnson, but it couldn't help the Vikings overcome ten penalties for 98 yards. Week 17 Christmas at Miami Dolphins On Sunday Night Football both teams were locked in neck-and-neck divisional races; with the Patriots beating the Bears and the Packers downing the Buccaneers the day before, and the Vikings to face the 49ers on Monday Night, both teams had motive to win. It would not happen for the Lions as Dave Krieg was intercepted twice and Barry Sanders was held to 52 yards. Bernie Parmalee had 39 rushing yards and three touchdowns as the Dolphins won 27–20, winning the AFC East while the Lions made the playoffs as the NFC's fifth seed. Standings Playoffs NFC Wild Card Game: At Green Bay Packers Detroit Lions 2;text-align:center; autocollapse NFC Wild Card Game: Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers – Game summary Lions 0 0 3 9 Packers 7 3 3 3 Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin 12:30 p.m. EST/11:30 a.m. CST 31 °F °C, partly cloudy ABC Brent Musburger, Dick Vermeil, and Lesley Visser Gary Lane 58,125 The Packers defense held Lions running back Barry Sanders to −1 rushing yards while holding Brett Perriman to −4 rushing yards. The Lions managed just 171 total yards of offense, with 199 yards passing from Dave Krieg, but he was sacked 4 times, resulting in 28 yards loss. Awards and honors Barry Sanders, All-Pro Barry Sanders, NFC Pro Bowl Selection Barry Sanders, NFL Offensive Player of the Year Barry Sanders, Club Record, Most Rushing Yards in One Game, 237 yards, November 13.NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, 0-7611-2480-2, p. 114 Milestones Barry Sanders, 6th consecutive 1000 yard season References External links 1994 Detroit Lions at Pro-Football-Reference.com Detroit Category:Detroit Lions seasons Detroit Lions Category:1994 in Detroit