Veteran Lions 1 Win From Finally Making Playoffs
NOAH TRISTER, AP Sports Writer
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — Jeff Backus and Dominic Raiola have spent 11 years together on Detroit's offensive line and never had an opportunity quite like this.
If the Lions beat San Diego at home Saturday, they will make the playoffs for the first time since Backus and Raiola were drafted by the team in 2001. Those two have endured a stretch of futility unlike any in the NFL over the last decade, but times are changing in Detroit, and the Lions are one victory away from being able to celebrate a postseason berth just three seasons after going 0-16.
Jason Hanson has been a Lion for even longer. He was drafted by Detroit in 1992 and was on the last Lions team to make the playoffs, way back in 1999.
