1976 Detroit Lions Season - Regular Season

Regular Season

During the Thanksgiving Day game on November 25, O.J. Simpson of the Buffalo Bills set a record with the most rushing yards in one Thanksgiving Day game, by rushing for 273 yards vs. the Lions.

In spite of their poor overall record the Lions offense set a statistical record for Passer Rating Differential (40.9, 14th best 196--2011). Such a high rating is usually reserved for playoff teams or Super Bowl winners;

Top 25 Teams in Passer Rating Differential (1960-present)

Ranking Team OPR DPR Differential Record Won title

• 1 1960 Browns 109.5 51.7 57.8 8-3-1 --
• 2 1966 Packers 102.1 46.1 56.0 12-2 Yes
• 3 1987 49ers 106.2 53.8 52.4 13-2 --
• 4 1989 49ers 114.8 68.5 46.3 14-2 Yes
• 5 1975 Vikings 90.8 46.2 44.6 12-2 --
• 6 1975 Steelers 86.7 42.8 43.9 12-2 Yes
• 7 1994 49ers 111.4 68.1 43.3 13-3 Yes
• 8 1999 Rams 106.6 64.1 42.5 13-3 Yes
• 9 1975 Bengals 89 46.9 42.1 11-3 --
• 10 1963 Giants* 94.4 52.7 41.7 11-3 Yes
• 11 1962 Packers 84.9 43.4 41.5 13-1 Yes
• 12 1976 Lions 84.6 43.7 40.9 6-8 --
• 13 1963 Bears 75.6 34.8 40.8 11-1-2 Yes
• 14 1996 Packers 95.7 55.4 40.3 13-3 Yes
• 15 1974 Redskins 90 49.9 40.1 10-4 --
• 16 1972 Dolphins 86.9 47.4 39.5 14-0 Yes
• 17 1988 Vikings 80.4 41.2 39.2 11-5 --
• 18 1991 Redskins 98 58.9 39.1 14-2 Yes
• 19 1960 Eagles 87.9 49.1 38.8 10-2 Yes
• 20 2007 Patriots* 116 78.1 37.9 16-0 Yes
• 21 2002 Buccaneers 86.3 48.4 37.9 12-4 Yes
• 22 2009 Saints 106 68.6 37.4 13-3 Yes
• 23 1984 Dolphins* 108.5 71.4 37.1 14-2 Yes
• 24 1977 Cowboys 85.3 48.2 37.1 12-2 Yes
• 25 1967 Rams 84.4 47.5 36.9 11-1-2 --

Note: The 1963 Giants, 2007 Patriots and 1984 Dolphins lost in their respective title games.