The 2000 season was the Detroit Lions' 71st in the National Football League (NFL). After a wildcard playoff appearance with an 8–8 record in 1999, the Lions improved to 9–7 in 2000, but missed the playoffs thanks to a Christmas Eve home loss to the 4–11 Chicago Bears, where they blew a 10-point lead in the second quarter.
In the first 12 games, the Lions were 8-4. But, after that, they only won one more time. Nonetheless, this was the Lions' sixth winning season in 10 years, capping one of the best decades in the franchise's history. It was also the franchise's last winning season until 2011.
Head coach Bobby Ross resigned after the ninth game of the season and was replaced by Gary Moeller.NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, , p. 114
After beating the Jets, 10–7, at Giants Stadium on December 17, the Lions would lose 24 road games in a row and go 0–8 on the road for the coming three years.
Offseason Additions SubtractionsRB James Stewart (Jaguars) QB Gus Frerotte (Broncos)QB Mike Tomczak (Steelers) CB Robert Bailey (Ravens)S Kurt Schulz (Bills) S Mark Carrier (Redskins)QB Stoney Case (Ravens) RB Ron Rivers (Falcons) WR Iheanyi Uwaezuoke (Panthers)
NFL draft
Undrafted free agents
+ 2000 undrafted free agents of notePlayerPositionCollegeAndrew BayesPunterEast CarolinaSteve BrominskiTight endSyracuseHenry DouglasWide receiverNorth Carolina A&TLarry FosterWide receiverLSUPete GarcesKickerIdahoJames HallDefensive endMichiganLeroy HodgeWide receiverTexas A&MCasey JensenCenterMichigan StateJeremy MankinsGuardBoise StateNick O’BrienGuardTexas A&M–KingsvilleJoe O’NeillLinebackerBowling GreenSean PowellDefensive endNew Mexico StateCharlie SandersRunning backEmporia StateAndy VincentTackleTexas A&MJimmy WyrickCornerbackMinnesota
Personnel
Staff 2000 Detroit Lions staffFront office Owner and chairman – William Clay Ford Sr. Vice chairman – William Clay Ford Jr. Executive vice president and coo – Chuck Schmidt Vice president of football operations – Larry Lee Vice president of player personnel – Ron Hughes Director of pro personnel – Sheldon White
Head coaches Head coach – Bobby Ross
Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator – Sylvester Croom Quarterbacks – Jim Zorn Running backs – Frank Falks Wide receivers – Jerry Sullivan Tight ends – Danny Smith Offensive line – Golden Pat Ruel Offensive assistant/special teams assistant – Stan Kwan Quality control/offense – John Misciagna Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Larry Peccatiello Defensive line – Brian Baker Linebackers – Gary Moeller Defensive backs – Richard Selcer Defensive assistant – Don Clemons Quality control/defense – Dennis Murphy
Special teams coaches Special teams – Chuck Priefer
Strength and conditioning Strength and conditioning – Bert Hill Assistant strength and conditioning – Rob Graf
Roster
Preseason Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 New England Patriots L 10–13 0–1 Pontiac Silverdome Recap 2 Buffalo Bills W 15–13 1–1 Pontiac Silverdome Recap 3 at Oakland Raiders L 17–23 1–2 Network Associates Coliseum Recap 4 at Cincinnati Bengals W 21–13 2–2 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
Regular season Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance 1 September 3 at New Orleans Saints W 14–10 1–0 Louisiana Superdome 64,900 2 September 10 Washington Redskins W 15–10 2–0 Pontiac Silverdome 74,159 3 September 17 Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 10–31 2–1 Pontiac Silverdome 76,928 4 September 24 at Chicago Bears W 21–14 3–1 Soldier Field 66,944 5 October 1 Minnesota Vikings L 24–31 3–2 Pontiac Silverdome 76,438 6 October 8 Green Bay Packers W 31–24 4–2 Pontiac Silverdome 77,549 7 Bye 8 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 28–14 5–2 Raymond James Stadium 65,557 9 October 29 at Indianapolis Colts L 18–30 5–3 RCA Dome 56,971 10 November 5 Miami Dolphins L 8–23 5–4 Pontiac Silverdome 77,813 11 November 12 Atlanta Falcons W 13–10 6–4 Pontiac Silverdome 74,309 12 November 19 at New York Giants W 31–21 7–4 Giants Stadium 77,897 13 New England Patriots W 34–9 8–4 Pontiac Silverdome 77,923 14 at Minnesota Vikings L 17–24 8–5 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 64,214 15 December 10 at Green Bay Packers L 13–26 8–6 Lambeau Field 59,854 16 December 17 at New York Jets W 10–7 9–6 Giants Stadium 77,513 17 December 24 Chicago Bears L 20–23 9–7 Pontiac Silverdome 71,957Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries Week 6
Pro-Football-Reference.com
Standings
References
External links Detroit Lions on Pro Football Reference Detroit Lions on jt-sw.com