Detroit Lions
1997 Season Recap

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The Lions rebound with Barry Sanders once again leading the way, in what would end up being a career year for Sanders who becomes just the 3rd player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a single season with 2,053. Sanders would later be named co-MVP, as the Lions finished 9-7 to make the playoffs for the 4th time in 5 years. However, once again the Lions could not get past the Wild Card, as the Buccaneers beat the Lions 20-10 in Tampa.

The Lions rebound with Barry Sanders once again leading the way, in what would end up being a career year for Sanders who becomes just the 3rd player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a single season with 2,053. Sanders would later be named co-MVP, as the Lions finished 9-7 to make the playoffs for the 4th time in 5 years. However, once again the Lions could not get past the Wild Card, as the Buccaneers beat the Lions 20-10 in Tampa.

1997 Detroit Lions season

1997 Detroit LionsLions

Lost Wild Card Game

9-7 (.563)

3rd place in NFL NFC Central

Head Coach

Bobby Ross

General Manager

Chuck Schmidt

Team Owner

William Clay Ford Sr.

Stadium

Attendance

554,898 total
69,362 per game

1997 Draft Picks

Round Pick Player

1 5 Bryant Westbrook / DB

2 35 Juan Roque / T

2 54 Kevin Abrams / DB

4 130 Matt Russell / LB

5 135 Pete Chryplewicz / TE

View All Lions Draft Picks

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Stories, Photos, and Videos about Detroit Lions 1997 Season

F i l t e r & S o r t

Barry Sanders Rushes for 2000 yards audio clip

Barry Sanders Rushes for 2000 yards

2 minutes Dec 21, 1997

Barry Sanders recorded the third 2,000-yard season in 1997, rushing for 2,053 yards. Sanders had opened the season with