Sanders breaks rushing record; Jets blow opportunity
Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders broke the single-season rushing record on Sunday as the Lions defeated the New York Jets, 23-19, on Sunday in the Silverdome.
Sanders rushed for 107 yards on 16 carries on Sunday and broke Eric Dickerson’s 13-year record. Dickerson rushed for 2,105 yards in 1984, but Sanders eclipsed that mark in the third quarter of Sunday’s game and finished with 2,127 yards on the season. Sanders also had 16 rushing touchdowns in ’97.
With the win, the Lions finished with a 13-3 record, which is the best win total in franchise history. They had 11 wins in 1962 and 11 wins as the Portsmouth Spartans in 1931. The Lions are the fourth seed in the NFC playoffs and will host a Wildcard game next weekend.
Also, the Lions had the first receiver duo to both catch 100 passes in a season. Herman Moore and Johnny Morton both caught 103 passes on the season. Moore finished with 1,431 yards and 12 TDs, while Morton had 1,464 yards and ten touchdowns.
Defensively, the Lions had the top pass rusher in 1997. DE Robert Porcher had 20 sacks this season, which is Lions’ record.
As for the Jets, they blew their chance at earning the last seed in the AFC playoffs. Now the Jets must await the Sunday Night Football game as the Seattle Seahawks host the San Francisco 49ers. If the Seahawks win, they get the last playoff spot with a 10-6 record; however, if they lose, the Jets will get the last spot at 9-7. Why? Because the Jets beat the Seahawks in week 1 of the season. They would win the tie-breaker based on a head-to-head victory.
No matter what happens on Sunday Night, head coach Bill Parcels has done a wonderful job turning the franchise into a winner. Last year, the Jets were 1-15 and now they are 9-7 and have a shot at the AFC playoffs.
The Jets mirrored their actual season on your tabletop.