1995 Detroit Lions season

NFL team season August 2023 March 2026 Detroit Lions 1995 10–6 2nd NFC Central Wayne Fontes Tom Moore Herb Paterra Chuck Schmidt William Clay Ford Sr. Pontiac Silverdome Lost Wild Card Playoffs(at Eagles) 37–58 C Kevin GloverT Lomas BrownWR Herman MooreRB Barry Sanders T Lomas Brown (1st team)WR Herman Moore (1st team)RB Barry Sanders (1st team)C Kevin Glover (2nd team) Lions seasons The 1995 Detroit Lions season was the team's 66th in the National Football League (NFL). Finishing at 10–6, it marked the Lions' third consecutive winning season, which had not been accomplished in Detroit since the team posted four consecutive winning seasons from 1969 to 1972. This feat would not be repeated until 2024. It was also the Lions' third consecutive postseason appearance, and fourth in five seasons – the franchise’s best era since the 1950s. The Lions started the season 0–3 and were 3–6 after a Week 10 loss in Atlanta. However, starting with a Week 11 win over Tampa Bay, the Lions won a franchise-record seven consecutive games to close out the season and clinch a playoff berth. Herman Moore had a career season as he broke Cris Carter’s NFL record for most receptions in a season (123). Moore and teammate Brett Perriman (108 catches) became the first receiver duo to each have more than 100 receptions in the same season. The Lions' 436 points scored was the most in franchise history until it was eclipsed by the 2011 team.Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1940 to 2011, playing for the Detroit Lions, in the regular season, sorted by descending Points For. For the third consecutive year, however, the Lions could not win a playoff game and were eliminated as they were routed by the Philadelphia Eagles 58–37 in the Wild Card playoffs after falling behind 51–7. Leading up to their Wild Card game, Detroit offensive linemen Lomas Brown guaranteed a victory over the Eagles; however, that didn't age well. The last remaining active member of the 1995 Detroit Lions was kicker Jason Hanson, who retired after the 2012 season. Offseason Additions SubtractionsDT Henry Thomas (Vikings) QB Dave Krieg (Cardinals)QB Don Majkowski (Colts) LB Pat Swilling (Raiders)T Zefross Moss (Colts) DT Marc Spindler (Jets)QB Donald Hollas (Bengals) LB Broderick Thomas (Vikings) 1995 expansion draft 1995 NFL expansion draft + Detroit Lions selected during the expansion draft Round Selection Name Position Expansion team 17 34 Mark Rodenhauser Center Carolina Panthers 23 45 Harry Colon Cornerback Jacksonville Jaguars 24 48 Larry Ryans Wide receiver Carolina Panthers NFL draft 1995 NFL draft 1995 Detroit Lions 1 20 Luther Elliss DT Utah yes yes 3 70 David Sloan TE New Mexico from St. Louis yes yes 5 141 Stephen Boyd LB Boston College from Seattle yes yes 5 156 Kez McCorvey WR Florida State yes no 5 163 Ronald Cherry OT McNeese State from San Francisco no no 6 186 Kevin Hickman TE Navy from Arizona yes no 6 192 Cory Schlesinger FB Nebraska yes yes 7 228 Hessley Hempstead G Kansas yes no no Notes Detroit traded its second-round selection (51st) to San Diego in exchange for the Chargers' first-round selection in 1996. Detroit traded up from its third-round selection (82nd) with St. Louis for the Rams' second-round selection (70th), giving up its fourth-round selection (115th). Detroit received Seattle's fifth-round selection (141st) in exchange for WR Reggie Barrett. Detroit received San Francisco's fifth-round selection (163rd) in exchange for RB Derrick Moore. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/det/1995_draft.htm 1995 Detroit Lions Draftees Pro-Football-Reference.com January 5, 2014 Undrafted free agents + 1995 undrafted free agents of notePlayerPositionCollegeBryce BevillCormerbackSyracuseBrad BowersDefensive endCaliforniaTommie BoydWide receiverToledoMill ColemanWide receiverMichigan StateKevin DixsonWide receiverIllinois StateMark HatfieldTackleBishop’s, Ontario, CanadaJeff JonesTackleTexas A&MDarryl MajorLinebackerMissouriRandy NonhoffGuardCaliforniaKyle PoolerKickerMissouriRon RiceSafetyEastern MichiganWillie SmithLinebackerPenn StateJosh TavesDefensive endNortheasternEarnest WilliamsRunning backFort Hays State Personnel Staff 1995 Detroit Lions Owner and president – William Clay Ford Sr. Vice chairman – William Clay Ford Jr. Executive vice president and chief operating officer – Chuck Schmidt Director of player personnel – Ron Hughes Director of pro scouting – Kevin Colbert Head coach – Wayne Fontes Assistant head coach – Dave Levy Assistant head coach/defense – John Teerlinck Offensive coordinator – Tom Moore Quarterbacks – Greg Landry Running backs – Mo Forte Receivers – Charlie Sanders Tight ends/offensive assistant – Steve Kazor Offensive line – Paul Boudreau Defensive coordinator – Herb Paterra Linebackers – Don Clemons Outside linebackers – Howard Tippett Defensive backs – John Fontes Special teams – Frank Novak Strength and conditioning/defensive assistant – Bert Hill Roster 1995 Detroit Lions 53 3 3 14 Kent Graham  1 Don Majkowski 19 Scott Mitchell quarterback 48 Tom Beer FB 26 Eric Lynch American football 34 Ron Rivers KR 20 Barry Sanders 30 Cory Schlesinger y FB 21 Allen Williams American football y 83 Aubrey Matthews 10 Kez McCorvey y 84 Herman Moore 87 Johnnie Morton KR/PR 80 Brett Perriman PR 82 Rodney Holman 86 David Sloan American football y 75 Lomas Brown T 74 Mike Compton American football G/T/LS 76 Scott Conover T 53 Kevin Glover C 66 Hessley Hempstead y C 70 Jeff Jones American football y T 73 Dave Lutz G 71 Zefross Moss T 62 Tony Semple G/LS 67 Doug Widell G 96 Shane Bonham DT 94 Luther Elliss y DE 90 Dan Owens DE 91 Robert Porcher DT 97 Tracy Scroggins DE 92 Josh Taves y DE 98 Henry Thomas American football DT 95 Mike Wells defensive lineman DT 57 Stephen Boyd American football y MLB 99 Tracy Hayworth OLB 59 Mike Johnson linebacker OLB 52 Scott Kowalkowski MLB 55 Antonio London OLB 54 Chris Spielman MLB 36 Bennie Blades FS 27 Jocelyn Borgella CB 32 Willie Clay SS/PR 25 Greg Jeffries CB 40 Robert Massey CB 47 Ryan McNeil American football CB 39 Van Malone FS 31 Corey Raymond CB 28 Ron Rice y American football SS 29 Sean Vanhorse CB 24 Richard Woodley y CB  4 Jason Hanson K  3 Mark Royals P 79 Ryan Grigson y T IR 89 Ron Hall tight end TE IR 46 Kevin Hickman y TE IR 15 Tommie Boyd y WR 18 Ben Bronson y WR 45 Willie Smith no y LB Regular season Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Attendance 1 September 3 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 23–200–1 58,002 2 September 10 at Minnesota Vikings L 20–100–2 52,234 3 September 17 Arizona Cardinals L 20–170–3 58,727 4 September 25, 1995 San Francisco 49ers W 27–241–3 76,236 5 Bye 6 October 8 Cleveland Browns W 38–202–3 74,171 7 October 15 at Green Bay Packers L 30–212–4 60,302 8 October 22 at Washington Redskins L 36–30 (OT)2–5 52,332 9 October 29 Green Bay Packers W 24–163–5 73,462 10 November 5 at Atlanta Falcons L 34–223–6 49,619 11 November 12 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 27–244–6 60,644 12 November 19 at Chicago Bears W 24–175–6 61,779 13 November 23, 1995 Minnesota Vikings W 44–386–6 74,559 14 December 4 Chicago Bears W 27–77–6 77,230 15 December 10 at Houston Oilers W 24–178–6 35,842 16 December 17 Jacksonville Jaguars W 44–09–6 70,204 17 December 23 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 37–1010–6 50,049Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. Season summary Week 1: @ Pittsburgh Steelers Detroit Lions 1995 2; text-align:center collapsed Week 1: Pittsburgh Steelers VS Detroit Lions September 3, 1995 1:00 p.m. EST Lions 0 10 0 10 Steelers 0 3 7 10 Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 58,002 Overcast, 67 F C FOX Kevin Harlan, Jerry Glanville and Pam Oliver First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers DET – Scott Mitchell – 18/32, 195 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT PIT – Mike Tomczak – 15/24, 149 yards, 3 INT Top rushers DET – Barry Sanders – 21 rushes, 108 yards PIT – Bam Morris – 17 rushes, 50 yards, 2 TD Top receivers DET – Herman Moore – 10 receptions, 131 yards, 1 TD PIT – Yancey Thigpen – 7 receptions, 91 yards Week 13 Vikings 7 21 3 7 Lions 14 10 10 10 November 23 Thursday Pontiac Silverdome 12:30 p.m. EST 74,559 Indoors (dome) yes Q1 DET Perriman 2 yard pass from Mitchell (Hanson kick) DET 7–0 Q1 1:56 DET Perriman 20 yard pass from Mitchell (Hanson kick) DET 14–0 Q1 MIN Reed 55 yard pass from Moon (Reveiz kick) DET 14–7 Q2 DET Morton 16 yard pass from Mitchell (Hanson kick) DET 21–7 Q2 MIN Palmer 74 yard punt return (Reveiz kick) DET 21–14 Q2 7:53 MIN Thomas 17 yard fumble return (Reveiz kick) Tie 21–21 Q2 DET Hanson 32 yard field goal DET 24–21 Q2 MIN Carter 10 yard pass from Moon (Reveiz kick) MIN 28–24 Q3 MIN Reveiz 49 yard field goal MIN 31–24 Q3 DET Hanson 40 yard field goal MIN 31–27 Q3 8:48 DET Moore 27 yard pass from Mitchell (Hanson kick) DET 34–31 Q4 DET Sanders 50 yard run (Hanson kick) DET 41–31 Q4 MIN Carter 7 yard pass from Moon (Reveiz kick) DET 41–38 Q4 DET Hanson 39 yard field goal DET 44–38 yes Scott Mitchell 30/45, 410 Yds Barry Sanders 24 Rush, 138 Yds Herman Moore 12 Rec, 153 Yds Brett Perriman 8 Rec, 127 Yds Johnnie Morton 7 Rec, 102 Yds Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2016-Dec-10. Standings Playoffs NFC Wild Card Game: At Philadelphia Eagles 1995–96 NFL playoffs Detroit Lions 2;text-align:center; autocollapse NFC Wild Card Game: Detroit Lions at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary Lions 7 0 14 16 Eagles 7 31 13 7 Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia December 30, 1995 4:00 p.m. EST ABC Al Michaels, Frank Gifford, and Dan Dierdorf Ron Blum 66,099 First quarter PHI – Charlie Garner 15 yard rush (Gary Anderson kick). Eagles 7–0 DET – David Sloan 32 yard pass from Scott Mitchell (Jason Hanson kick). Tie 7–7 Second quarter PHI – Gary Anderson 21 yard field goal. Eagles 10–7 PHI – Fred Barnett 22 yard pass from Rodney Peete (Gary Anderson kick). Eagles 17–7 PHI – Barry Wilburn 24 yard interception return (Gary Anderson kick). Eagles 24–7 PHI – Ricky Watters 1 yard rush (Gary Anderson kick). Eagles 31–7 PHI – Rob Carpenter 43 yard pass from Rodney Peete (Gary Anderson kick). Eagles 38–7 Third quarter PHI – Ricky Watters 45 yard pass from Rodney Peete (Gary Anderson kick). Eagles 45–7 PHI – Gary Anderson 31 yard field goal. Eagles 48–7 PHI – Gary Anderson 39 yard field goal. Eagles 51–7 DET – Herman Moore 68 yard pass from Don Majkowski (Jason Hanson kick). Eagles 51–14 DET – Johnnie Morton 7 yard pass from Don Majkowski (Jason Hanson kick). Eagles 51–21 Fourth quarter PHI – William Thomas 30 yard interception return (Gary Anderson kick). Eagles 58–21 DET – David Sloan 2 yard pass from Don Majkowski (Ron Rivers run). Eagles 58–29 DET – Ron Rivers 1 yard run (Herman Moore pass from Don Majkowski). Eagles 58–37 Top passers DET – Don Majkowski – 14/23, 206 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT PHI – Rodney Peete – 17/25, 270 yards, 3 TD Top rushers DET – Barry Sanders – 10 rushes, 40 yards PHI – Ricky Watters – 18 rushes, 49 yards, 1 TD Top receivers DET – Herman Moore – 7 rec, 133 yards, 1 TD PHI – Fred Barnett – 8 rec, 109 yards, 1 TD Turnovers DET – 7 PHI – 1 The Eagles scored 31 points in the second quarter, recorded six interceptions, forced seven total turnovers and held future Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders to just 40 rushing yards en route to a 58–37 victory in the second highest scoring game in NFL postseason history, which was also the first occasion the Lions had played the Eagles since 1986.Detroit Lions v Philadelphia Eagles The two teams combined for 874 total yards of offense. Awards and honors Scott Mitchell, Thanksgiving Day Record, Most passing yards by a Lions quarterback, 410 yards Herman Moore, Single Season Record, Most Receptions in a Season Barry Sanders, All-Pro Barry Sanders, NFC Pro Bowl Selection Milestones Barry Sanders, 7th consecutive 1000 yard season Herman Moore, 100 reception season,NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, 0-7611-2480-2, p. 440 References External links 1995 Detroit Lions at Pro-Football-Reference.com Detroit Category:Detroit Lions seasons Detroit Lions Category:1995 in Detroit