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The 1980 Detroit Lions season was the 51st season in franchise history. As the result of their 2–14 1979 season , the Lions were able to select Heisman Trophy-winning Oklahoma Sooner halfback Billy Sims with the first pick in the NFL draft. In his rookie season, Sims rushed his way to the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award while carrying the Lions back to respectability. After winning their first four games, the Lions stumbled down the stretch including costly 1-point losses to the Colts and lowly Cardinals . While they vastly improved overall, finishing 9–7, the Lions narrowly lost the NFC Central Division title to the Minnesota Vikings by virtue of a conference record tiebreaker. The Lions won nine NFC games to the Vikings’ eight, but Minnesota had a better winning percentage in the conference.[1] The Lions’ 1979 fifth-place finish meant they played two extra NFC games, resulting in five conference losses to the Vikings' four losses.[2]
Offseason
NFL Draft
Roster
1980 Detroit Lions roster
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
Reserve lists
Practice squad
Rookies in italics
Regular season
In his NFL debut, Billy Sims had three touchdowns.[4]
Schedule
Week
Date
Opponent
Result
Attendance
1
September 7
at Los Angeles Rams
W 41–20
64,892
2
September 14
at Green Bay Packers
W 29–7
53,099
3
September 21
St. Louis Cardinals
W 20–7
80,027
4
September 28
Minnesota Vikings
W 27–7
80,291
5
October 5
at Atlanta Falcons
L 43–28
57,652
6
October 12
New Orleans Saints
W 24–13
78,147
7
October 19
at Chicago Bears
L 24–7
58,508
8
October 26
at Kansas City Chiefs
L 20–17
59,391
9
November 2
San Francisco 49ers
W 17–13
78,845
10
November 9
at Minnesota Vikings
L 34–0
46,264
11
November 16
Baltimore Colts
L 10–9
77,677
12
November 23
at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
W 24–10
64,976
13
November 27
Chicago Bears
L 23–17 OT
75,397
14
December 7
at St. Louis Cardinals
L 24–23
46,966
15
December 14
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
W 27–14
77,098
16
December 21
Green Bay Packers
W 24–3
75,111
Standings
Game Summaries
Week 1 at Rams
Week One: Detroit Lions (0–0) at Los Angeles Rams (0–0)
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Lions
10
7
10 14 41
Rams
6
14
0 0 20
at Anaheim Stadium , Anaheim, California
Date : September 7Game time : 4:00 p.m.Game weather : Clear; 66 °F (19 °C)Game attendance : 64,892Box Score
Game information
First quarter
LA – Drew Hill 98-yard kickoff return (kick failed). Rams 6–0.
DET – Eddie Murray 52-yard field goal. Rams 6–3. Drive:
DET – Billy Sims 10-yard run (Eddie Murray kick). Lions 10–6. Drive:
Second quarter
LA – Cullen Bryant 1-yard run (Frank Corral kick). Rams 13–10. Drive:
LA – Elvis Peacock 1-yard run (Frank Corral kick). Rams 20–10. Drive:
DET – Billy Sims 1-yard run (Eddie Murray kick). Rams 20–17. Drive:
Third quarter
DET – Eddie Murray 38-yard field goal. Tie 20–20. Drive:
DET – Dexter Bussey 15-yard run (Eddie Murray kick). Lions 27–20. Drive:
Fourth quarter
DET – Billy Sims 41-yard run (Eddie Murray kick). Lions 34–20. Drive:
DET – Horace King 4-yard run (Eddie Murray kick). Lions 41–20. Drive:
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
DET – Billy Sims – 2 receptions, 64 yards
LA – Preston Dennard – 4 receptions, 63 yards
Week 2: at Green Bay Packers
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 5: at Atlanta Falcons
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Lions
3
3
0 22 28
Falcons
17
17
2 7 43
at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium , Atlanta
Date : October 5Game time : 1:00 p.m.Game weather : 61 °F (16.1 °C), wind 12 miles per hour (19 km/h; 10 kn)Referee : Dick JorgensenTV : CBSBox Score
Week 13
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
DET – Gary Danielson 1-yard run (Eddie Murray kick). Lions 17–3. Drive:
Fourth quarter
CHI – Bob Fisher 20-yard pass from Vince Evans (Bob Thomas kick). Lions 17–10. Drive:
CHI – Vince Evans 4-yard run (Bob Thomas kick), 0:00. Tie 17–17. Drive: 14 plays, 94 yards.
Overtime
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
CHI – James Scott – 6 receptions, 106 yards
DET – Ray Williams – 3 receptions, 50 yards
Awards and records
See also
References
External links
Franchise Records Stadiums Culture Lore Rivalries Division championships (9) League championships (4) Media Current league affiliations