Quote:  I haven't thought about that game in a long time.   The game was in Detroit back in 2005 and it was the only time in 4 regular season games that the Lions have beaten the Ravens.   The Ravens became unhinged that day and it raised the question whether Brian Billick was the answer moving forward as Ravens HC.  Billick ended up lasting another couple of seasons in that role. 

 

 The Lions game the week before the Ravens game relates to the theme of this thread as well.   In one of the very few times during Joey Harrington's playing career with the Lions,  he appeared to come through with a likely eventual game winning TD pass. ( Greg Olson was the Lions QB coach at the time )   This one was to TE Marcus Pollard with less than a minute in the game.   Amazingly,  Referee Gerry Austin reversed the call,  saying basically that Pollard didn't have control of the ball inbounds.    This despite the fact that there WASN'T indisputable evidence to reverse the call.    No wonder why Jon Gruden and Gerry Austin get along so well in the MNF TV booth!  

 

  Calls like that one,  the reversal of Calvin Johnson's TD in the 2010 opener in Chicago that likely cost the Lions a win,   the officials deciding not to call pass interference against Cowboys LB Anthony Hitchens ( vs. Brandon Pettigrew ) in a playoff game less than two years ago  ( after the flag was thrown ),  and the officials missing the illegal batted ball ( after Calvin Johnson fumbled at the Seahawks 1 yard line ) out of the end zone in Seattle by LB K.J. Wright last season have greatly adversely affected my enjoyment of the NFL.   Though I still watch more games than most people in the regular season,   I used to watch even more games.   Plus,  I cut down my pre-season viewership of NFL games considerably.   

 

Speaking of bad calls against the Lions, I still remember an early season matchup against the Vikings from several seasons back.  A very questionable pass interference call against Detroit put the Vikings inside the Detroit 30 late in the game, the Vikes ended up hitting a chip shot field goal to win.  The only reason I remember it was because that game happened in 2008, the year the Lions went winless.  Without that call, there very likely is no 0-16 team.

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