1980s
In 1980, the Lions drafted running back Billy Sims with the first overall pick in the NFL Draft. He led the team back to a winning record for the first time in a decade, but at 9-7 they narrowly missed a playoff spot. Despite fine performances by Billy Sims, the Lions were only able to finish at .500 in 1981. After the 1982 season was reduced to nine games by a players' strike, the NFL used a special playoff format with the eight best teams in each conference. The 4-5 Lions qualified, but were quickly sent packing by the soon-to-be-champion Redskins.
The Lions finished at 9-7 again in 1983, but since their division was weak, they won it but then lost a close playoff match to San Francisco on a missed field goal. The following year, Billy Sims' career was abruptly ended by a knee injury and the team fell back to 4-11-1. There followed a slight improvement to 7-9 in 1985 and then only five wins in 1986. The NFL was forced to hire substitute players after another strike in 1987 shortened the season by one game in which the Lions finished 4-11. There followed a 4-12 season in 1988, after which the team drafted Oklahoma State RB Barry Sanders. His first season saw a 7-9 record.
Read more about this topic: History Of The Detroit Lions