Detroit Lions Playoff History: A Look Back at the Glory Days of the NFL

The city of Detroit has a rich football history, and one team that has always been at the forefront of that history is the Detroit Lions. With a proud tradition of gridiron greatness, the Lions have a storied past that is full of triumph and heartbreak. From their early days as a small-time franchise to their current status as a perennial playoff contender, the Lions have always been a team that commands attention and respect.

The Detroit Lions were founded in 1930 as one of the original members of the NFL. In their early years, the team struggled to find consistency, but they did have their moments of success. In 1935, the Lions made their first playoff appearance, but it was short-lived. They lost to the New York Giants in the championship game, and that was the last time the team would make a deep postseason run for decades to come.

In the 1950s and 1960s, the Lions experienced a resurgence in fortunes. Led by quarterback Tobin Rote, the team made four consecutive playoff appearances from 1952 to 1955. While they didn't win any championships during this period, the Lions did establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the NFL.

The 1950s and 1960s were also a time of great innovation for the Lions. Under the leadership of coach George Preston Marshall, the team began to experiment with new strategies and techniques. They adopted the T-formation offense, which became a hallmark of the NFL during this period. The Lions also invested heavily in their defensive line, building a unit that was capable of shutting down even the toughest opponents.

Despite their on-field success, the Lions' off-field struggles were well-documented. In 1958, the team was plagued by rumors of financial mismanagement and player misconduct. The team's ownership group was beset by infighting and controversy, which led to a decline in on-field performance.

The 1970s and 1980s were a difficult time for the Lions. The team was plagued by injuries, poor coaching, and a lack of talent. They made only one playoff appearance during this period, and it was a brief and uneventful one.

However, the 1990s brought a new era of success for the Lions. Led by quarterback Bobby Layne, the team made three consecutive playoff appearances from 1991 to 1993. While they didn't win any championships during this period, the Lions did establish themselves as a legitimate contender in the NFC.

The 2000s were a time of great upheaval for the Lions. The team's ownership group was rocked by scandal and controversy, and the team's front office was in disarray. Despite this, the Lions were able to find some success on the field. They made the playoffs in 2006, but were eliminated in the wild card round.

In recent years, the Lions have continued to struggle. Despite having some talented players, the team has been unable to overcome its on-field struggles. In 2011, the Lions made the playoffs, but were eliminated in the wild card round. In 2017, the team finished with a 9-7 record, but lost to the Seattle Seahawks in the wild card round.

Despite their recent struggles, the Lions remain a beloved franchise in the NFL. The team has a loyal fan base, and their home stadium, Ford Field, is one of the toughest venues in the league.

Playoff Appearances

The Lions have made a total of 11 playoff appearances in their history. Here is a breakdown of their playoff appearances by decade:

• 1930s: 1 appearance
• 1940s: 0 appearances
• 1950s: 4 appearances
• 1960s: 2 appearances
• 1970s: 1 appearance
• 1980s: 0 appearances
• 1990s: 3 appearances
• 2000s: 1 appearance
• 2010s: 3 appearances

Notable Playoff Games

• 1935: Lions lose to the New York Giants in the championship game
• 1952: Lions beat the Chicago Bears in the championship game
• 1955: Lions lose to the Cleveland Browns in the championship game
• 1966: Lions beat the Green Bay Packers in the championship game
• 1991: Lions beat the New York Giants in the wild card round
• 1993: Lions lose to the Dallas Cowboys in the divisional round
• 2006: Lions beat the Dallas Cowboys in the wild card round, but lose to the Seattle Seahawks in the divisional round
• 2011: Lions lose to the New Orleans Saints in the wild card round
• 2017: Lions beat the Seattle Seahawks in the wild card round, but lose to the Atlanta Falcons in the divisional round

Winning the Stanley Cup

While the Lions have not won a Stanley Cup, they did appear in the championship game in the American Football League (AFL) in 1957. However, the team lost to the New York Giants.

Notable Coaches

• George Preston Marshall: Led the Lions to four consecutive playoff appearances in the 1950s and established the team as a force to be reckoned with in the NFL.
• Jack parcel : Led the Lions to the championship game in 1957, but lost to the New York Giants.
• Jimmy Johnson: Led the Lions to three consecutive playoff appearances from 1991 to 1993 and established the team as a legitimate contender in the NFC.

NFL Championships

The Lions have won four NFL championships in their history. Here is a breakdown of their championships by decade:

• 1930s: 1 championship
• 195