PRO FOOTBALL : Lions Defeat Falcons, 30-13, but Lose Shot at Top Draft Pick
The Detroit Lions, by defeating the Atlanta Falcons, 30-13, Sunday, lost a chance for the No. 1 draft choice in 1988.
But that didn’t bother quarterback Chuck Long. “Drafting No. 1 means nothing,” he said. “Winning means everything.”
Coach Darryl Rogers said: “It’s a relief not being last, although 26 or 27 isn’t a lot better.”
Atlanta, by losing, ends up with the worst record in the National Football League at 3-12. Detroit, which got two scoring runs from Gary Ellerson and three field goals from Eddie Murray, finishes at 4-11.
Long, who completed 11 of 25 passes for 157 yards, said: “The fans remember your last game. We won, so it will be a lot easier to walk around Detroit in the off-season.”
Atlanta Coach Marion Campbell said: “I haven’t been thinking about the draft.”
Ellerson opened the scoring with an eight-yard run in the opening quarter and added a two-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Murray kicked field goals of 45, 23 and 46 yards.
Ricky Smith closed out Detroit’s scoring by returning a Chris Miller interception 34 yards for a touchdown.
Miller, the Falcons’ No. 1 draft choice who was making his second start in a row, connected with Floyd Dixon on a 51-yard touchdown pass play late in the second quarter and Mick Luckhurst added two field goals for Atlanta’s points.
More to Read
Get our high school sports newsletter
Prep Rally is devoted to the SoCal high school sports experience, bringing you scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.