Lions, on Job-Saving Mission, Win Again

Like their indomitable leader, the Detroit Lions are still standing today. Unkempt, unorganized, but limping toward some nice-paying overtime in January.

It should figure that if Wayne Fontes will not go away, darn him, then neither will his football team.

The Chicago Bears and the nation learned this at about the same time Monday night as the Lions won a fourth consecutive game with their coach’s job and the postseason on the line, a 27-7 decision before 77,230 at the Silverdome.

It wasn’t even that close. The Lions (7-6) won the way they always do when a bunch of them are about to be fired. They jumped their visitors the moment they entered the building, and flailed until their arms grew weary.

Then they rubbed their eyes while their beloved coach attempted to explain it.

Fontes’ first words involved his superstitions about a cast that he has been wearing on an injured ankle that has long since healed.

That’s right, he was hobbling around on the sidelines Monday when it really wasn’t necessary.

“I’m wearing the cast next week too,” Fontes said.

Then he talked about saving his job, which will probably occur now, considering the Lions’ final three opponents have a combined record of 14-25. Three victories will put them in the playoffs for the fourth time in the last five years, not bad for a team that was once 3-6.

In the first week of November, Lion owner William Clay said Fontes needed to make the playoffs if he wanted to keep his job.

“I’m not concerned about that anymore,” Fontes said.

That makes him a tad different from his players, notably quarterback Scott Mitchell, who led the Lions to an average of 433 yards in total offense during the four-game streak.

This included 419 yards Monday night, 183 of which were gained on passes to Herman Moore.

“We’re trying to save all of our jobs,” Mitchell said. “This game forgets you quick.”

So realize the Bears, football’s darlings at the end of last season and earlier this year with six victories in their first eight games.

Then they blew a seven-point lead in the final two minutes against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Nov. 5. Since that moment, they have lost three of four games and must win their last three to have a chance at the playoffs.

Their players are obviously weary--the defense has allowed more than 300 yards the past four weeks--and the coaches are now out-thinking themselves.

The Lions were stunned Monday that the Bear defensive backs allowed the Lions’ top two receivers at least a five-yard cushion and chose to cover them with one cornerback each while using the safeties closer to the line in hopes of stopping Barry Sanders.

They did the exact same thing two weeks ago and were burned for 422 total yards in a 24-17 loss. They did not even change the scheme at halftime Monday while trailing, 21-0, and being out-gained, 242 yards to 66.

“It makes you want to laugh,” said Moore, who leads the NFL with 101 catches and yet was not even challenged on most of his 14 grabs Monday. “They surprised me more than they surprised you. I mean, they never even tried anything. I guess they never quite figured it out.”

In defense of the Bears, when they did attempt to attack Moore, often they missed. The Lions’ first touchdown midway through the first period set the tone when Moore broke three tackles while running 46 yards down the sideline.

Bear Coach Dave Wannstedt was so upset that his players couldn’t wrap up Moore, he spent several seconds after the score stalking the sidelines while waving his arms in a wrapping motion.

If he were dancing, it was one night you didn’t want to be his partner.

“There’s nobody in the league that works harder at tackling than our guys . . . and we missed three tackles,” Wannstedt said. “Tonight we were not able to do anything.”

Mitchell threw two more touchdown passes in the next eight minutes to finish the Bears, who won’t soon forget that the league’s 28th-ranked defense held them to 185 total yards.

Rashaan Salaam, suffering from a terrible case of the Heisman jinx, gained three yards. On seven carries.

Not that the Lions were ready to celebrate. They know what they are.

“When you are 3-6, you stink, and we stunk,” said linebacker Chris Spielman. “But people don’t know the inner personality of this team. People just don’t understand.”

Evidently.