The 1998 Detroit Lions season was their 69th in the National Football League (NFL). The team failed to improve upon their previous season's output of 9–7 and did not make a repeat playoff appearance, instead posting their third 5–11 mark in seven seasons.1998 Detroit Lions This was the last season Barry Sanders would play in the NFL.
Offseason Additions Subtractions C Jim Pyne (Buccaneers) WR/KR Glyn Milburn (Bears) LB Allen Aldridge (Broncos) DT Shane Bonham (49ers) LB Rob Fredrickson (Raiders) TE Pete Metzelaars (retirement) DT Mike Wells (Bears)
NFL draft
Undrafted free agents + 1998 undrafted free agents of notePlayerPositionCollegeTutu AtwellWide receiverMinnesotaKerlin BlaiseGuardMiami (FL)Lamar CampbellCornerbackWisconsinKywin SupernawDefensive backIndianaTravis ReeceRunning backMichigan StateCorey ThomasWide ReceiverDuke
Personnel Staff 1998 Detroit Lions staffFront office Owner and chairman – William Clay Ford Sr. Vice chairman – William Clay Ford Jr. Executive vice president and coo – Chuck Schmidt Vice president of football operations – Larry Lee Vice president of player personnel – Ron Hughes Director of pro scouting – Kevin Colbert
Head coaches Head coach – Bobby Ross
Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator – Sylvester Croom Quarterbacks – Jim Zorn Running backs – Frank Falks Wide receivers – Jerry Sullivan Tight ends – Bob Palcic Offensive line – Jack Henry Offensive assistant – Stan Kwan Quality control/offense – John Misciagna Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Larry Peccatiello Defensive line – Brian Baker Linebackers – Gary Moeller Defensive backs – Richard Selcer Defensive assistant – Don Clemons Quality control/defense – Dennis Murphy
Special teams coaches Special teams – Chuck Priefer Special teams assistant – Stan Kwan
Strength and conditioning Strength and conditioning – Bert Hill
Roster
Regular season Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance 1 September 6 at Green Bay Packers L 19–38 0–1 Lambeau Field 60,102 2 September 13 Cincinnati Bengals L 28–34 (OT) 0–2 Pontiac Silverdome 66,354 3 September 20 at Minnesota Vikings L 6–29 0–3 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 63,107 4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 27–6 1–3 Pontiac Silverdome 74,724 5 October 4 at Chicago Bears L 27–31 1–4 Soldier Field 66,944 6 Bye 7 Green Bay Packers W 27–20 2–4 Pontiac Silverdome 77,932 8 October 25 Minnesota Vikings L 13–34 2–5 Pontiac Silverdome 77,885 9 November 1 Arizona Cardinals L 15–17 2–6 Pontiac Silverdome 66,087 10 November 8 at Philadelphia Eagles L 9–10 2–7 Veterans Stadium 66,785 11 November 15 Chicago Bears W 26–3 3–7 Pontiac Silverdome 63,152 12 November 22 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 28–25 4–7 Raymond James Stadium 64,265 13 November 26 Pittsburgh Steelers W 19–16 (OT) 5–7 Pontiac Silverdome 78,139 14 December 6 at Jacksonville Jaguars L 22–37 5–8 Alltel Stadium 70,717 15 at San Francisco 49ers L 13–35 5–9 3Com Park 68,585 16 December 20 Atlanta Falcons L 17–24 5–10 Pontiac Silverdome 67,143 17 December 27 at Baltimore Ravens L 10–19 5–11 Raven Stadium 68,045Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Standings
Season summary
Week 1
Week 13 (Thanksgiving)
Awards and Records Barry Sanders retired as the second leading rusher in NFL history. 15,269 yards. 109 touchdowns 5.0 average per rush attempt
References