The 1977 Detroit Lions season was their 48th in the National Football League (NFL). The team matched their previous season's output of 6–8,[1] and missed the playoffs for the seventh straight season. The Lions struggled offensively, scoring a mere 183 points while finishing in third place with a 6–8 record for the second consecutive season.
The 1977 coaching staff included 25-year-old assistant special teams and offensive assistant coach Bill Belichick. Belichick would later win two Super Bowls in the 1986 and 1990 seasons as defensive coordinator with the New York Giants, and six as head coach of the New England Patriots.
This would be the final season for head coach Tommy Hudspeth before he and his entire staff were fired. This would also be the final season for future Hall-of-Fame tight end Charlie Sanders before his retirement.
NFL draft
Notes
Undrafted free agents
1977 undrafted free agents of note
| Player
|
Position
|
College
|
| Joe Harvey
|
Defensive tackle
|
Northern Michigan
|
| Kevin McClain
|
Defensive back
|
Wyoming
|
| John Stufllebeem
|
Punter
|
Navy
|
| Bob Wood
|
Kicker
|
Michigan
|
Personnel
Staff
1977 Detroit Lions staff
|
|
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
|
|
|
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
- Special teams – Floyd Reese
- Assistant special teams – Bill Belichick
Strength and conditioning
- Strength and Conditioning – Floyd Reese
|
[2]
Roster
Schedule
| Week
|
Date
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Record
|
Attendance
|
| 1
|
September 18
|
at Chicago Bears
|
L 30–20
|
0–1
|
51,530
|
| 2
|
September 25
|
New Orleans Saints
|
W 23–19
|
1–1
|
51,458
|
| 3
|
October 2
|
Philadelphia Eagles
|
W 17–13
|
2–1
|
57,236
|
| 4
|
October 9
|
at Minnesota Vikings
|
L 14–7
|
2–2
|
45,860
|
| 5
|
October 16
|
Green Bay Packers
|
W 10–6
|
3–2
|
78,452
|
| 6
|
October 23
|
at San Francisco 49ers
|
L 28–7
|
3–3
|
39,392
|
| 7
|
October 30
|
at Dallas Cowboys
|
L 37–0
|
3–4
|
63,160
|
| 8
|
November 6
|
San Diego Chargers
|
W 20–0
|
4–4
|
72,559
|
| 9
|
November 13
|
at Atlanta Falcons
|
L 17–6
|
4–5
|
47,461
|
| 10
|
November 20
|
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
|
W 16–7
|
5–5
|
49,751
|
| 11
|
|
Chicago Bears
|
L 31–14
|
5–6
|
71,373
|
| 12
|
December 4
|
at Green Bay Packers
|
L 10–9
|
5–7
|
56,267
|
| 13
|
December 11
|
at Baltimore Colts
|
W 13–10
|
6–7
|
45,124
|
| 14
|
|
Minnesota Vikings
|
L 30–21
|
6–8
|
78,572
|
| Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
|
Game summaries
Week 3 vs Philadelphia Eagles
| Game information
|
|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
|
- Top passers
- Top rushers
- Top receivers
- PHI – Harold Carmichael – 4 receptions, 67 yards, TD
- DET – Horace King – 7 receptions, 60 yards
|
|
Week 8: vs San Diego Chargers
| Game information
|
|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
- DET – Rick Kane 1-yard run (Steve Mike-Mayer kick), 9:56. Lions 14–0. Drive: 9 plays, 70 yards, 4:09.
- DET – Marv Hubbard 1-yard run (kick failed), 4:57. Lions 20–0. Drive: 5 plays, 40 yards, 2:55.
|
Top passers
Top rushers
- SDG – Joe Washington – 9 rushes, 54 yards
- DET – Rick Kane – 24 rushes, 105 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
|
|
Week 9 at Atlanta Falcons
| Game information
|
|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
|
- Top passers
- Top rushers
- Top receivers
|
|
Week 10: vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
| Game information
|
|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
- DET – Rick Kane 1-yard run (kick failed). Lions 9–7.
- DET – Reggie Pinkney 48-yard interception return (Steve Mike-Mayer kick). Lions 16–7.
|
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
|
|
Standings
References
- ^ 1977 Detroit Lions
- ^ "Executive and coaching staff profiles". 1977 Detroit Lions Media Guide. pp. 3–10.
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