2001 Detroit Lions season

72nd season in franchise history; last in the Pontiac Silverdome August 2023 March 2026 Detroit Lions 2001 2–14 5th NFC Central Marty Mornhinweg Maurice Carthon Vince Tobin Matt Millen William Clay Ford Sr. Pontiac Silverdome Did not qualify NFC-Throwback-Uniform-DET.PNG DE Robert Porcher None Lions seasons The 2001 Detroit Lions season was the franchise's 72nd season in the National Football League (NFL). Marty Mornhinweg was named the 21st head coach in franchise history on January 21, 2001,NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, 0-7611-2480-2, p.117 after owner William Clay Ford Sr. controversially fired 2000 interim coach Gary Moeller."Mornhinweg Hired To Coach the Lions." New York Times, January 25, 2001. Retrieved on July 14, 2009. The season began with much optimism, with the Lions hoping to improve on their 9–7 record from 2000; however, the Lions were extremely disappointing and had the worst start to an NFL season since the 1986 Indianapolis Colts began 0–13. They were widely believed to be likely to suffer the NFL’s first 0–16 season“Infamy Awaits the Lions” in The Free Lance Star, Sunday December 16, 2001; p. C11 before they defeated the Minnesota Vikings. Of the Lions' 14 losses, nine (all in a row, an NFL record)were by one possession. Seven seasons later, the Lions went 0–16 after a week 17 loss to the Green Bay Packers.https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aAxVc5OuvWyA Bloomberg Politics - Bloomberg Bloomberg News This was the final season that the Lions played at the Pontiac Silverdome before moving to Ford Field the following season, as well as the final season for the NFC Central Division, which would dissolve following the NFL's realignment in 2002, although all NFC Central teams except the Tampa Bay Buccaneers formed the new NFC North Division. The Lions closed the Silverdome by defeating the Dallas Cowboys 15–10 in the regular season finale. Coincidentally, the Cowboys defeated the Lions 36–10 in the first regular season game at the Silverdome (then known as Pontiac Metropolitan Stadium) in 1975. This would also be the first season under new general manager Matt Millen, as he would be the team's general manager for the next six seasons and first 3 games of the 2008 season. This would start a stage of futility for the Lions, as they would fail to post a winning record with Millen as general manager. Offseason Additions SubtractionsQB Ty Detmer (Browns) G Jeff Hartings (Steelers)G Matt Joyce (Cardinals) TE Walter Rasby (Redskins)TE Pete Mitchell (Giants) G Mike Compton (Patriots)G Brendan Stai (Jaguars) CB Todd Lyght (Rams) CB Robert Bailey (Ravens) NFL draft 2001 NFL draft 2001 Detroit Lions 1 18 Jeff Backus Offensive tackle Michigan yes 2 50 Dominic Raiola Center Nebraska yes 2 61 Shaun Rogers Defensive tackle Texas yes yes 5 148 Scotty Anderson Wide receiver Grambling State yes 5 149 Mike McMahon Quarterback Rutgers yes 6 173 Jason Glenn Linebacker Texas A&M no https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/det/2001_draft.htm 2001 Detroit Lions Draftees Pro-Football-Reference.com September 27, 2014 Undrafted free agents + 2001 undrafted free agents of notePlayerPositionCollegeNeo AogaQuarterbackAzusa PacificBrad BohnKickerUtah StateMatt ChildersDefensive endUSCEugene ClintonSafetyMississippi StateKeith CottrellPunterFlorida StateWill CuthbertTackleAlabamaVersie GaddisWide receiverIndianaDennis GibbsCornerbackIdahoToby GollidayDefensive tackleMississippi StateAnthony HerronDefensive endIowaChidi IwuomaCornerbackCaliforniaKhary JacksonTight endOklahoma StateLigarius JenningsCornerbackTennessee StateSly JohnsonWide receiverMiami (OH)Loran KaiserDefensive tackleNebraskaDustin KroekerTackleCal PolyJosh LoveladyGuardHoustonDonald MalloySafetyNew Mexico StateRich MazzaGuardRutgersAndre OffingLinebackerEast CarolinaJonathan OrdwayCornerbackBoston CollegeDarnell RobinsonLinebackerOregon StateWayne RogersLinebackerHoustonStephen TrejoFullbackArizona StateEric WilsonDefensive tackleMichigan Staff 2001 Detroit Lions Owner and chairman – William Clay Ford Sr. Vice chairman – William Clay Ford Jr. President and chief executive officer – Matt Millen Vice president of stadium development and salary cap – Tom Lewand Senior director of football administration/staff counsel – Martin Mayhew Executive director of player personnel – Bill Tobin Director of pro personnel – Sheldon White Director of college scouting – Russ Bolinger Assistant director of pro personnel – Charlie Sanders Head coach – Marty Mornhinweg Offensive coordinator/running backs – Maurice Carthon Quarterbacks – Kevin Higgins Wide receivers – Larry Kirksey Tight ends – Sean Kugler Offensive line – Carl Mauck Offensive assistant/quality control – Mike McHugh Defensive coordinator – Vince Tobin Defensive line – Bill Young Assistant defensive line/pass rush specialist – Charles Haley Linebackers – Glenn Pires Defensive backs – Richard Selcer Defensive assistant/quality control – Don Clemons Special teams – Chuck Priefer Strength and conditioning – Jason Arapoff Assistant strength and conditioning – Malcolm Blacken 2001 Detroit Lions Media Guide 4–32 Administration and Coaching Staff Roster 2001 Detroit Lions 53 10 4 14 Ty Detmer 12 Scott Dreisbach  8 Mike McMahon American football y 31 Aveion Cason y 21 Reuben Droughns 26 Brock Olivo FB 30 Cory Schlesinger FB 34 James Stewart 36 Stephen Trejo y 25 Lamont Warren 88 Scotty Anderson y 83 Bert Emanuel 81 Larry Foster American football KR/PR 80 Desmond Howard KR/PR 87 Johnnie Morton 89 Bradford Banta LS 86 David Sloan American football 76 Jeff Backus y T 79 Eric Beverly C 65 Kerlin Blaise G 64 Tyrone Hopson G 75 Matt Joyce American football G/T 73 Stockar McDougle G/T 51 Dominic Raiola y C 72 Tony Semple G 66 Brendan Stai G 95 Jared DeVries DE 94 Luther Elliss DT 96 James Hall defensive end DE 77 Anthony Herron y DE 67 Travis Kirschke DT 91 Robert Porcher DE 93 Kelvin Pritchett DT 92 Shaun Rogers American football y DT 97 Tracy Scroggins DE 55 Allen Aldridge OLB 50 Chris Claiborne MLB 54 Barrett Green OLB 52 Scott Kowalkowski MLB 58 Clint Kriewaldt OLB 59 Khari Samuel MLB 99 Brian Williams linebacker OLB 39 Lamar Campbell American football FS/SS 38 Marty Carter SS 23 Terry Fair CB/KR/PR 40 Chidi Iwuoma y CB 24 Todd Lyght CB 47 Ray McElroy CB/S 45 Kurt Schulz FS 32 Bryant Westbrook CB 27 Jimmy Wyrick CB  4 Jason Hanson K 19 John Jett P 35 Robert Bailey American football CB IR 10 Charlie Batch QB IR 42 Tommy Bennett S Susp. 57 Stephen Boyd American football LB IR 82 Germane Crowell WR IR 33 Sedrick Irvin RB IR 84 Herman Moore WR IR 28 Ron Rice American football S IR 29 Kywin Supernaw S IR 15 Latef Grim y WR 60 Josh Lovelady y G IR -- Eugene McCaslin LB 53 Wayne Rogers American football y LB 46 John Waerig TE 53 10 Regular season Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 September 9 at Green Bay Packers L 6–28 0–1 Lambeau FieldRecap 2DAL-DET The Lions were originally scheduled to host the Dallas Cowboys during Week 2 of the original NFL schedule (September 16) at Pontiac Silverdome. However, due to the September 11 attacks, the game was rescheduled to Week 17. September 23 at Cleveland Browns L 14–24 0–2 Cleveland Browns StadiumRecap 3 Bye 4 October 8, 2001 St. Louis RamsL 0–35 0–3 Pontiac Silverdome Recap 5 October 14 at Minnesota Vikings L 26–31 0–4 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Recap 6 October 21 Tennessee Titans L 24–27 0–5 Pontiac Silverdome Recap 7 October 28 Cincinnati Bengals L 27–31 0–6 Pontiac Silverdome Recap 8 November 4 at San Francisco 49ers L 13–21 0–7 3Com ParkRecap 9 November 11 Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 17–20 0–8 Pontiac Silverdome Recap 10 November 18 at Arizona Cardinals L 38–45 0–9 Sun Devil StadiumRecap 11 November 22 Green Bay Packers L 27–29 0–10 Pontiac Silverdome Recap 12 December 2 at Chicago Bears L 10–13 0–11 Soldier FieldRecap 13 December 9 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 12–15 0–12 Raymond James StadiumRecap 14 December 16 Minnesota Vikings W 27–24 1–12 Pontiac Silverdome Recap 15 December 23 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 14–47 1–13 Heinz FieldRecap 16 December 30 Chicago Bears L 0–24 1–14 Pontiac Silverdome Recap 17DAL-DET January 6 Dallas Cowboys W 15–10 2–14 Pontiac Silverdome RecapNote: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/det/2001.htm?redir 2001 Detroit Lions Statistics & Players Pro-Football-Reference.com Game summaries Week 1: at Green Bay Packers Detroit Lions 2001 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 1: Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers – Game summary September 9 12:00 p.m. EDT/11:00 a.m. CDT Lions 3 3 0 0 Packers 21 0 7 0 Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin 59,523 60 F C Aster Sizemore FOX Curt Menefee, Brian Baldinger, Drew Smith Box score First quarter GB – Ahman Green 31-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 12:27. Packers 7–0. Drive: 4 plays, 73 yards, 1:36. GB – Bill Schroeder 23-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 6:08. Packers 14–0. Drive: 5 plays, 65 yards, 2:46. GB – Ahman Green 83-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 4:29. Packers 21–0. Drive: 1 play, 83 yards, 0:14. DET – Jason Hanson 49-yard field goal, 2:12. Packers 21–3. Drive: 6 plays, 42 yards, 2:17. Second quarter DET – Jason Hanson 39-yard field goal, 4:06. Packers 21–6. Drive: 10 plays, 31 yards, 4:49. Third quarter GB – Bubba Franks 1-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 3:54. Packers 28–6. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 6:47. Fourth quarter No scoring plays Top passers DET – Charlie Batch – 20/39, 276 yards, 2 INT GB – Brett Favre – 22/28, 260 yards, 2 TD Top rushers DET – James Stewart – 13 rushes, 39 yards GB – Ahman Green – 17 rushes, 157 yards, 2 TD Top receivers DET – Johnnie Morton – 5 receptions, 111 yards GB – Bill Schroeder – 4 receptions, 104 yards, TD Week 2: at Cleveland Browns Detroit Lions 2001 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 2: Detroit Lions at Cleveland Browns – Game summary September 23 1:00 p.m. EDT Lions 0 0 7 7 Browns 7 7 10 0 Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio 73,168 66 F C Terry McAulay Fox Kenny Albert, Tim Green Box score First quarter CLE – Kevin Johnson 4-yard pass from Tim Couch (Phil Dawson kick), 8:55. Browns 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 57 yards, 2:50. Second quarter CLE – Shaun O'Hara 2-yard pass from Tim Couch (Phil Dawson kick), 13:21. Browns 14–0. Drive: 6 plays, 53 yards, 3:36. Third quarter CLE – Phil Dawson 33-yard field goal, 11:36. Browns 17–0. Drive: 4 plays, 2 yards, 0:49. DET – Terry Fair 26-yard interception return (Jason Hanson kick), 7:26. Browns 17–7. CLE – Quincy Morgan 34-yard pass from Tim Couch (Phil Dawson kick), 4:25. Browns 24–7. Drive: 1 play, 34 yards, 0:07. Fourth quarter DET – Johnnie Morton 14-yard pass from Ty Detmer (Jason Hanson kick), 11:25. Browns 24–14. Drive: 9 plays, 84 yards, 4:13. Top passers DET – Ty Detmer – 22/42, 212 yards, TD, 7 INT CLE – Tim Couch – 12/20, 138 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT Top rushers DET – James Stewart – 17 rushes, 71 yards CLE – James Jackson – 31 rushes, 124 yards Top receivers DET – Johnnie Morton – 6 receptions, 100 yards, TD CLE – Quincy Morgan – 2 receptions, 38 yards, TD Quarterback Ty Detmer made his first start for the Lions, ending the game with seven interceptions. Despite this, the Lions' defense kept the game somewhat close, picking off Cleveland quarterback Tim Couch twice, including a 26-yard pick six by cornerback Terry Fair. Week 4: vs. St. Louis Rams Detroit Lions 2001 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 4: St. Louis Rams at Detroit Lions – Game summary October 8, 2001 9:00 p.m. EDT Rams 7 14 0 14 Lions 0 0 0 0 Pontiac Silverdome, Detroit, Michigan 77,765 None (played indoors) Tom White ABC Al Michaels, Dan Fouts, and Melissa Stark Box score First quarter STL – Az-Zahir Hakim 15-yard pass from Kurt Warner (Jeff Wilkins kick), 3:30. Rams 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 4:35. Second quarter STL – Torry Holt 36-yard pass from Kurt Warner (Jeff Wilkins kick), 13:31. Rams 14–0. Drive: 5 plays, 70 yards, 1:57. STL – Dré Bly 93-yard interception return (Jeff Wilkins kick), 3:04. Rams 21–0. Third quarter No scoring plays Fourth quarter STL – Ernie Conwell 1-yard pass from Kurt Warner (Jeff Wilkins kick), 10:14. Rams 28–0. Drive: 10 plays, 63 yards, 5:53. STL – Marshall Faulk 7-yard run (Jeff Wilkins kick), 4:32. Rams 35–0. Drive: 6 plays, 45 yards, 3:54. Top passers STL – Kurt Warner – 29/37, 291 yards, 3 TD DET – Ty Detmer – 15/18, 149 yards, INT Top rushers STL – Marshall Faulk – 14 rushes, 71 yards, TD DET – James Stewart – 13 rushes, 88 yards Top receivers STL – Marshall Faulk – 9 receptions, 80 yards DET – Germane Crowell – 5 receptions, 65 yards Week 11: vs Green Bay Packers Detroit Lions 2001 2; text-align:center collapsed Week 11: Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions November 22, 2001 12:36 p.m. EST Packers 7 10 7 5 Lions 3 10 0 14 Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan 77,730 None (indoor stadium) Fox Pat Summerall and John Madden First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers GB – Brett Favre – 18/26, 252 yards, 2 TD DET – Charlie Batch – 8/19, 118 yards, INT Top rushers GB – Ahman Green – 22 rushes, 102 yards, TD DET – James Stewart – 14 rushes, 102 yards Top receivers GB – Antonio Freeman – 6 receptions, 89 yards, TD DET – Johnnie Morton – 4 receptions, 67 yards With the loss, the Lions were once again swept by the Packers and eliminated from playoff contention. Detroit fell to 0-10 and remained the only winless team in the NFL. Week 14: vs Minnesota Vikings Detroit Lions 2001 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 14: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions – Game summary December 16 1:00 p.m. CDT Vikings 7 0 17 0 Lions 14 6 0 7 Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan 72,190 None (indoor stadium) Ed Hochuli (85) FOX Kenny Albert, Tim Green and Jennifer Hammond Recap, Game Book First quarter DET – Todd Lyght 59-yard interception return (Jason Hanson kick), 6:18. Lions 7–0. MIN – Tyrone Carter 46-yard fumble return (Gary Anderson kick), 2:11. Tied 7–7. DET – Mike McMahon 1-yard run (Jason Hanson kick), 0:55. Lions 14–7. Drive: 4 plays, 71 yards, 1:16. Second quarter DET – Jason Hanson 44-yard field goal, 9:06. Lions 17–7. Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards, 1:30. DET – Jason Hanson 36-yard field goal, 0:00. Lions 20–7. Drive: 10 plays, 57 yards, 2:48. Third quarter MIN – Gary Anderson 27-yard field goal, 12:23. Lions 20–10. Drive: 6 plays, 24 yards, 2:37. MIN – Randy Moss 66-yard pass from Todd Bouman (Gary Anderson kick), 7:12. Lions 20–17. Drive: 4 plays, 90 yards, 2:42. MIN – Randy Moss 13-yard pass from Todd Bouman (Gary Anderson kick), 1:51. Vikings 24–20. Drive: 8 plays, 68 yards, 3:39. Fourth quarter DET – Cory Schlesinger 1-yard run (Jason Hanson kick), 10:36. Lions 27–24. Drive: 13 plays, 80 yards, 6:15. Top passers MIN – Todd Bouman – 18/38, 243 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT DET – Mike McMahon – 15/28, 241 yards Top rushers MIN – Michael Bennett – 10 rushes, 40 yards DET – James "Little Man" Stewart – 20 rushes, 91 yards Top receivers MIN – Randy Moss – 7 receptions, 144 yards, 2 TD DET – Johnnie Morton – 4 receptions, 74 yards With the upset win, the Lions secured their first win of the season and avoided being first 0-16 team in league history. Detroit also improved to 1-6 against the NFC Central and 1-5 at home. Week 15: at Pittsburgh Steelers Detroit Lions 2001 2; text-align:center collapsed Week 15: Detroit Lions at Pittsburgh Steelers December 23, 2001 1:00 p.m. EST Lions 7 7 0 0 Steelers 14 13 10 10 Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 62,809 45 F C Fox Kenny Albert, Tim Green and Jennifer Hammond First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers DET – Mike McMahon – 12/28, 118 yards, 2 TD, INT PIT – Kordell Stewart – 17/26, 226 yards, 3 TD Top rushers DET – Lamont Warren – 9 rushes, 48 yards PIT – Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala – 26 rushes, 126 yards Top receivers DET – Bert Emanuel – 3 receptions, 35 yards PIT – Hines Ward – 7 receptions, 67 yards, TD With the loss, the Lions fell to 1-13 and they were swept by the AFC Central. Week 17: vs Dallas Cowboys Detroit Lions 2001 2; text-align:center collapsed Week 17: Dallas Cowboys at Detroit Lions January 6, 2002 1:00 p.m. EST Cowboys 0 7 0 3 Lions 0 6 3 6 Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan 77,512 None (indoor stadium) Fox Kenny Albert, Tim Green and Jennifer Hammond First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Top passers DAL – Quincy Carter – 11/26, 158 yards, INT DET – Ty Detmer – 24/40, 242 yards, 2 TD Top rushers DAL – Emmitt Smith – 18 rushes, 77 yards, TD DET – James Stewart – 13 rushes, 69 yards Top receivers DAL – Joey Galloway – 3 receptions, 58 yards DET – Johnnie Morton – 8 receptions, 86 yards, TD With the win, the Lions finished the season at 2-14, 2-6 at home, and 2-10 against the NFC. Standings Notes References External links 2001 Detroit Lions at Pro-Football-Reference.com Detroit Category:Detroit Lions seasons Detroit Lions Category:2001 in Detroit