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As the Detroit Lions chase infamy as possibly the first team since the NFL expanded to a 16 game schedule to lose them all, it’s time to recognize an era gone by when last year’s lovable losers got their first franchise win.
Yes, it’s been 31 years to the day since the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, losers of the franchise’s first 26 games, finally got off the schneid with a win over – you probably guessed it – the New Orleans Saints.
Dave Green kicked two field goals and three extra points and the Tampa defense returned two interceptions for touchdowns in knocking off the Saints, better known during that era as the Aints.
Archie Manning did the best he could to keep New Orleans in the game, running for one score and tossing another to John Gilliam, but it wasn’t enough. The Saints, under Hank Stram, would finish 3-11 that season while Tampa would win its final two games and go 2-12.
By 1979, Tampa would be 10-6 and in the NFC Championship game. New Orleans, meanwhile, would languish around .500 for two more seasons before bottoming out at 1-15 in 1980.
At least the expansion Bucs had an excuse – and seemingly a plan. What has happened in Detroit?
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Matt Millen?