Lions’ First Win a Heady Experience

Johnnie Morton took off his helmet and threw it about 20 feet in the air and 30 yards away from him, like a student tossing a cap at graduation.

The Detroit receiver then danced, hugged his teammates and screamed with joy on the field, while fans did the same in the stands.

Rookie quarterback Mike McMahon accounted for 316 yards running and passing, ran for a touchdown and had no turnovers as the Lions defeated Minnesota, 27-24, Sunday, ending the chances of them becoming the NFL’s first 0-16 team.

“It feels like we just won the Super Bowl,” guard Tony Semple said.

Detroit (1-12), which lost its previous nine games by a total of 38 points, almost found another dramatic way to lose.

The Lions scored the go-ahead touchdown with 10:36 left after seeing a 13-point halftime lead turn into a 24-20 deficit on Randy Moss’ two third-quarter touchdowns.

Minnesota (5-8) had the ball twice inside Detroit territory in the final 10 minutes, but could not get close enough for a game-tying field goal. The Vikings’ final possession ended at Detroit’s 43 with three seconds left.

When Todd Bouman threw an incomplete pass to end Minnesota’s comeback hopes and likely end its run of five consecutive playoff appearances, there was a celebration befitting a playoff victory in the Silverdome.

An hour after the game, Morton didn’t know where his helmet was--and didn’t really care.

“It sounds awkward to say that this is one of my best moments in sports,” Morton said, “but after all we’ve been through with our record and injuries, this is the best.”

First-year Coach Marty Mornhinweg, who had consistently downplayed the significance of the Lions’ winless record, finally admitted that it was taking a toll.

“I’ll be honest, for the last six to eight weeks, this has worn on the players and coaches,” Mornhinweg said. “They’ve worked so hard, week after week, and never got any results for it.”

The Lions blew six second-half leads this season and set an NFL record with nine consecutive losses by eight points or fewer and became the butt of jokes.

“Hopefully, it will get the comedians off our back,” said Detroit’s Cory Schlesinger, who scored the go-ahead touchdown.

The Vikings are the only team to have lost to the NFL’s two 1-12 teams: Carolina and Detroit.

Both quarterbacks were making their second NFL start.

McMahon was 15 for 28 for 241 yards and ran 11 times for 75 yards and a touchdown. James Stewart gained 91 yards in 20 carries.

Bouman was 18 for 38 for 243 yards with two touchdowns and two first-half interceptions. Moss caught seven passes for 144 yards and two scores.

Moss left the field after Minnesota’s last offensive play, choosing not to return to the sideline for the final snap. He refused comment after the game.

After Moss’ second touchdown catch gave the Vikings a 24-20 lead, McMahon drove the Lions 80 yards in 13 plays, capped by Schlesinger’s one-yard plunge.