DETROIT - DECEMBER 05: Matthew Stafford #9 and Shaun Hill #14 of the Detroit Lions watch the pregame warm-up prior to the start of the game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on December 5 ...

The Lions haven't been a winning team since the year 2000, when they went 9-7. They went 0-16 in 2008 and faced a lot of scrutiny from fans in the Detroit area.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 14: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions celebrates after the team scored a touchdown during an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Los Angeles Rams at Ford ...

The Lions have not won 10 games since 1995, but equaled that total on Saturday. Detroit's last playoff win was in the 1991 season, another streak the Lions hope will come to an end this year.

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) shakes hands with wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14), left, after scoring a touchdown against San Francisco 49ers during the second half at Levi's ...

Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) leaps into Lions fans as they celebrate 24-14 win over Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.

DETROIT (AP) — Forget next year's draft. The Detroit Lions have something different to look forward to this December. The Lions are headed to the playoffs for the first time since the 1999 season.

And barring another Stafford injury, a .500 or better record — with an outside shot at the playoffs — is a fair expectation in 2011.

Fans in Detroit are trained to be skeptical, but there’s reason for excitement based on last year’s improvements. The Lions scored 100 more points in 2010 than they did in 2009, and they ...