Football No Solace for Detroit's Woes

Dec. 21, 2008 — -- First Detroit's ex-mayor goes to jail. Then the automakers' crisis hits. Now the Lions are poised to have the worst record in NFL history.

It seems the Motor City just can't catch a break.

The players in the silver and blue have lost every single one of their 14 games this season. Two other teams have managed such a feat in the past, but none has ever gone to 15 losses. If the Lions can't top the New Orleans Saints today, they break the kind of record no team ever wants to break.

While their current predicament is an extreme case, the Lions haven't won a championship since 1957, back when Detroit also dominated the auto industry. Undeniably, times have changed.

"I've heard people call it the perfect storm that's conspired against them right now," Mike O'Hara, former Detroit News sports reporter, told ABC News. "Losing, economy. Economy, losing. I don't think people can root, root, root for the home team like they used to."

The combination of high ticket prices and a losing team has left Ford field with many empty seats and several empty hearts -- some Lions followers are rooting for a 0-16 finish.

"Fans want to send a message: they're tired of it," said Tony Ortiz, Lions sideline reporter.

Jemele Hill, writer for ESPN and Detroit resident, agreed.

"The Detroit Lions must go 0-16," Hill wrote. "Things aren't good in my hometown right now... I firmly believe you don't get better until you've been at your worst."

ABC New's Bob Woodruff, a Michigan native and long-time Lions fan, visited the Lions to see what they predicted for the game against the Saints, but coach Rod Marinelli was tight-lipped.

"I don't do that," Marinelli said. "I live one snap at a time. And I enjoy that snap."