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{{short description|NFL team season}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2013}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2013}}
{{Infobox NFL season
{{Infobox NFL team season
| logo =
| logo =
| team = Detroit Lions
| team = Detroit Lions
| year = 1942
| year = 1942
| record = 0–11–0
| record = 0–11
| division_place = 5th [[Eastern and Western Divisions (NFL) 1933-69|NFL Western]]
| division_place = 5th [[Eastern and Western Conferences (NFL) 1933–69|NFL Western]]
| coach = [[Bill Edwards (American football coach)|Bill Edwards]] and [[Bull Karcis]]
| coach = [[Bill Edwards (American football coach)|Bill Edwards]] and [[Bull Karcis]]
| stadium =
| stadium = [[Tiger Stadium (Detroit)|Briggs Stadium]]
| playoffs = ''Did not qualify''
| playoffs = ''Did not qualify''
| shortnavlink = Lions seasons
| shortnavlink = Lions seasons
}}
}}
The '''[[1942 NFL season|1942]] [[Detroit Lions]] season''' resulted in the Lions having the first winless season since Cincinnati went 0–8 in 1934.<ref>NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York,NY, {{ISBN|0-7611-2480-2}}, p. 301</ref> This was the first NFL season during U.S. involvement in [[World War II]], which led to player shortages, and thus a depletion of talent. The Lions were hit especially hard by the loss of star halfback [[Byron White|Byron “Whizzer” White]] and tackle Tony Furst.<ref name="Missing">Barnas, Jo-Ann; ‘Missing Their Engine Parts: War Machine Hampered the 1942 Lions, Who Went 0–11’; ''[[The Washington Post]]'', December 9, 2001, p. D1A</ref> Head coach Bill Edwards was sacked after three games,<ref name="Missing"/> but the decision had no effect on the Lions’ fortunes.
The '''1942 Detroit Lions season''' was the franchise's 13th season in the [[National Football League]]. The Lions suffered the first winless season since [[1934 Cincinnati Reds (NFL) season|Cincinnati went 0–8]] in [[1934 NFL season|1934]].<ref>NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, {{ISBN|0-7611-2480-2}}, p. 301</ref> This was the first NFL season during U.S. involvement in [[World War II]], which led to player shortages, and thus a depletion of talent. The Lions were hit especially hard by the loss of star halfback [[Byron White|Byron “Whizzer” White]] and tackle [[Tony Furst]].<ref name="Missing">Barnas, Jo-Ann; ‘Missing Their Engine Parts: War Machine Hampered the 1942 Lions, Who Went 0–11’; ''[[The Washington Post]]'', December 9, 2001, p. D1A</ref> Head coach Bill Edwards was sacked after three games,<ref name="Missing"/> but the decision had no effect on the Lions’ fortunes.


While there were talks of suspending play, it was ultimately decided to allow all professional sports to continue as morale boosters on the home front.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.detroitathletic.com/blog/2015/11/22/the-1942-lions-were-a-winless-toothless-mess/ |title=The 1942 Lions were a winless, toothless mess |accessdate=2017-12-31 |publisher=[[Detroit Athletic]] |date=November 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101135448/https://www.detroitathletic.com/blog/2015/11/22/the-1942-lions-were-a-winless-toothless-mess/ |archive-date=January 1, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It would remain the only [[imperfect season]] for the Lions until [[2008 Detroit Lions season|2008]].
While there were talks of suspending play, it was ultimately decided to allow all professional sports to continue as morale boosters on the home front.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.detroitathletic.com/blog/2015/11/22/the-1942-lions-were-a-winless-toothless-mess/ |title=The 1942 Lions were a winless, toothless mess |access-date=2017-12-31 |publisher=[[Detroit Athletic]] |date=November 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101135448/https://www.detroitathletic.com/blog/2015/11/22/the-1942-lions-were-a-winless-toothless-mess/ |archive-date=January 1, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It would remain the only [[winless season]] for the Lions until [[2008 Detroit Lions season|2008]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Haney |first=Jeff |date=2008-11-20 |title=All-defeated or undefeated? Unlikely - Las Vegas Sun Newspaper |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2008/nov/20/chances-are-no-one-goes-0-16-or-16-0/ |access-date=2022-07-19 |website=lasvegassun.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bak |first=Richard |date=2015-11-22 |title=The 1942 Lions were a winless, toothless mess |url=https://www.vintagedetroit.com/the-1942-lions-were-a-winless-toothless-mess/ |access-date=2022-07-19 |website=Vintage Detroit Collection |language=en-US}}</ref>


==Regular season==
==Regular season==
===Schedule===
===Schedule===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions|year=1942|border=2}}"| Game
! Week
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions|year=1942|border=2}}"| Date
! Date
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions|year=1942|border=2}}"| Opponent
! Opponent
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions|year=1942|border=2}}"| Result
! Result
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions|year=1942|border=2}}"| Record
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions|year=1942|border=2}}"| Venue
| 1
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions|year=1942|border=2}}"| Attendance
| September 20, 1942
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions|year=1942|border=2}}"| Recap
| at [[1942 Chicago Cardinals season|Chicago Cardinals]]
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions|year=1942|border=2}}"| Sources
| L 13–0
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
|-style="background:#fcc"
| 2
! 1
| September 27, 1942
| September 20
| [[1942 Cleveland Rams season|Cleveland Rams]]
| at '''[[1942 Chicago Cardinals season|Chicago Cardinals]]'''
| L 14–0
| '''L''' 0–13
| 0–1
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| [[Comiskey Park]]
| 3
| 18,698
| October 4, 1942
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/194209200crd.htm Recap]
|
|-style="background:#fcc"
! 2
| September 27
| '''[[1942 Cleveland Rams season|Cleveland Rams]]'''
| '''L''' 0–14
| 0–2
| [[Tiger Stadium (Detroit)|Briggs Stadium]]
|
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/194209270det.htm Recap]
|
|-style="background:#fcc"
! 3
| October 4
| [[1942 Brooklyn Dodgers (NFL) season|Brooklyn Dodgers]]
| [[1942 Brooklyn Dodgers (NFL) season|Brooklyn Dodgers]]
| L 28–7
| '''L''' 7–28
| 0–3
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| Briggs Stadium
| 4
|
| October 11, 1942
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/194210040det.htm Recap]
| at [[1942 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]]
|
| L 38–7
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
|-style="background:#fcc"
| 5
! 4
| October 18, 1942
| October 11
| [[1942 Chicago Cardinals season|Chicago Cardinals]]
| at '''[[1942 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]]'''
| L 7–0
| '''L''' 7–38
| 0–4
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| [[Wisconsin State Fair Park|State Fair Park]]
| 6
|
| October 25, 1942
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/194210110gnb.htm Recap]
| [[1942 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]]
|
| L 28–7
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
|-style="background:#fcc"
| 7
! 5
| October 18
| November 1, 1942
| at [[1942 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]]
| '''[[1942 Chicago Cardinals season|Chicago Cardinals]]'''
| L 16–0
| '''L''' 0–7
| 0–5
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| Briggs Stadium
| 8
|
| November 8, 1942
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/194210180det.htm Recap]
|
|-style="background:#fcc"
! 6
| October 25
| '''[[1942 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]]'''
| '''L''' 7–28
| 0–6
| Briggs Stadium
|
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/194210250det.htm Recap]
|
|-style="background:#fcc"
! 7
| November 1
| at '''[[1942 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]]'''
| '''L''' 0–16
| 0–7
| [[Wrigley Field]]
|
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/194211010chi.htm Recap]
|
|-style="background:#fcc"
! 8
| November 8
| [[1942 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]]
| [[1942 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]]
| L 35–7
| '''L''' 7–35
| 0–8
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| Briggs Stadium
| 9
|
| November 15, 1942
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/194211080det.htm Recap]
| at [[1942 Cleveland Rams season|Cleveland Rams]]
|
| L 27–7
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
|-style="background:#fcc"
| 10
! 9
| November 22, 1942
| November 15
| [[1942 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]]
| at '''[[1942 Cleveland Rams season|Cleveland Rams]]'''
| L 42–0
| '''L''' 7–27
| 0–9
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| [[League Park]]
| 11
|
| November 29, 1942
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/194211150ram.htm Recap]
|
|-style="background:#fcc"
! 10
| November 22
| '''[[1942 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]]'''
| '''L''' 0–42
| 0–10
| Briggs Stadium
|
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/194211220det.htm Recap]
|
|-style="background:#fcc"
! 11
| November 29
| [[1942 Washington Redskins season|Washington Redskins]]
| [[1942 Washington Redskins season|Washington Redskins]]
| L 15–3
| '''L''' 3–15
| 0–11
| Briggs Stadium
|
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/194211290det.htm Recap]
|
|-
|colspan="10"| '''Note:''' Intra-division opponents are in '''bold''' text. September 20: Night game.
|}
|}


===Standings===
===Standings===
{{1942 NFL Western standings}}
{{1942 NFL Western standings}}
{{1942 NFL Eastern standings}}


===Roster===
===Roster===
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| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" | '''Quarterbacks'''
| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" | '''Quarterbacks'''


'''Running Backs'''
'''Running backs'''


'''Wide Receivers'''
'''Wide receivers'''


'''Tight Ends'''
'''Tight ends'''
| style="width: 25px;" |
| style="width: 25px;" |
| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" | '''Offensive Linemen'''
| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" | '''Offensive linemen'''


'''Defensive Linemen'''
'''Defensive linemen'''
| style="width: 25px;" |
| style="width: 25px;" |
| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" | '''Linebackers'''
| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" | '''Linebackers'''


'''Defensive Backs'''
'''Defensive backs'''


'''Special Teams'''
'''Special teams'''
| style="width: 25px;" |
| style="width: 25px;" |
| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" | '''Reserve Lists'''
| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" | '''Reserve lists'''
* ''Currently vacant''
* ''currently vacant''


<small>''Rookies in italics''</small><br />
<small>''rookies in italics''</small><br />
|-
|-
|}
|}
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==Awards and records==
==Awards and records==


* Most giveaways, single game: 12 (vs. [[1942 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]])<ref name="NFL Team Records: Turnovers">{{cite web |title=NFL Records |url=http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/team/turnovers |website=www.nfl.com |accessdate=2 November 2018 |language=en}}</ref>
* Most giveaways, single game: 12 (vs. [[1942 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]])<ref name="NFL Team Records: Turnovers">{{cite web |title=NFL Records |url=http://www.nfl.com/history/randf/records/team/turnovers |website=www.nfl.com |access-date=2 November 2018 |language=en}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist|35em}}

==External links==
*[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/det/1942.htm?redir Detroit Lions on Pro Football Reference]
*[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/det/1942.htm?redir Detroit Lions on Pro Football Reference]
*[http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/results.nsf/Teams/1942-det Detroit Lions on jt-sw.com]
*[http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/results.nsf/Teams/1942-det Detroit Lions on jt-sw.com]
*[http://www.footballdb.com/teams/detroit-lions/results/1942 Detroit Lions on The Football Database]
*[http://www.footballdb.com/teams/detroit-lions/results/1942 1942 Detroit Lions at The Football Database]

{{Detroit Lions}}
{{Detroit Lions}}
{{Detroit Lions seasons}}
{{Detroit Lions seasons}}
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[[Category:Detroit Lions seasons]]
[[Category:Detroit Lions seasons]]
[[Category:1942 in sports in Michigan|Detroit Lions]]
[[Category:1942 in sports in Michigan|Detroit Lions]]
[[Category:1942 in Detroit]]
[[Category:National Football League winless seasons]]

Latest revision as of 07:36, 23 December 2024

1942 Detroit Lions season
Head coachBill Edwards and Bull Karcis
Home fieldBriggs Stadium
Results
Record0–11
Division place5th NFL Western
Playoff finishDid not qualify

The 1942 Detroit Lions season was the franchise's 13th season in the National Football League. The Lions suffered the first winless season since Cincinnati went 0–8 in 1934.[1] This was the first NFL season during U.S. involvement in World War II, which led to player shortages, and thus a depletion of talent. The Lions were hit especially hard by the loss of star halfback Byron “Whizzer” White and tackle Tony Furst.[2] Head coach Bill Edwards was sacked after three games,[2] but the decision had no effect on the Lions’ fortunes.

While there were talks of suspending play, it was ultimately decided to allow all professional sports to continue as morale boosters on the home front.[3] It would remain the only winless season for the Lions until 2008.[4][5]

Regular season

[edit]

Schedule

[edit]
Game Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap Sources
1 September 20 at Chicago Cardinals L 0–13 0–1 Comiskey Park 18,698 Recap
2 September 27 Cleveland Rams L 0–14 0–2 Briggs Stadium Recap
3 October 4 Brooklyn Dodgers L 7–28 0–3 Briggs Stadium Recap
4 October 11 at Green Bay Packers L 7–38 0–4 State Fair Park Recap
5 October 18 Chicago Cardinals L 0–7 0–5 Briggs Stadium Recap
6 October 25 Green Bay Packers L 7–28 0–6 Briggs Stadium Recap
7 November 1 at Chicago Bears L 0–16 0–7 Wrigley Field Recap
8 November 8 Pittsburgh Steelers L 7–35 0–8 Briggs Stadium Recap
9 November 15 at Cleveland Rams L 7–27 0–9 League Park Recap
10 November 22 Chicago Bears L 0–42 0–10 Briggs Stadium Recap
11 November 29 Washington Redskins L 3–15 0–11 Briggs Stadium Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. September 20: Night game.

Standings

[edit]
NFL Western Division
W L T PCT DIV PF PA STK
Chicago Bears 11 0 0 1.000 8–0 376 84 W11
Green Bay Packers 8 2 1 .800 6–2 300 215 W2
Cleveland Rams 5 6 0 .455 3–5 150 207 L1
Chicago Cardinals 3 8 0 .273 3–5 98 209 L6
Detroit Lions 0 11 0 .000 0–8 38 263 L11
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.
NFL Eastern Division
W L T PCT DIV PF PA STK
Washington Redskins 10 1 0 .909 7–1 227 102 W9
Pittsburgh Steelers 7 4 0 .636 5–3 167 119 L1
New York Giants 5 5 1 .500 4–4 155 139 W2
Brooklyn Dodgers 3 8 0 .273 2–6 100 168 L6
Philadelphia Eagles 2 9 0 .182 2–6 134 239 L1
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.

Roster

[edit]
Detroit Lions roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists
  • currently vacant

rookies in italics

Awards and records

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, ISBN 0-7611-2480-2, p. 301
  2. ^ a b Barnas, Jo-Ann; ‘Missing Their Engine Parts: War Machine Hampered the 1942 Lions, Who Went 0–11’; The Washington Post, December 9, 2001, p. D1A
  3. ^ "The 1942 Lions were a winless, toothless mess". Detroit Athletic. November 22, 2015. Archived from the original on January 1, 2018. Retrieved December 31, 2017.
  4. ^ Haney, Jeff (November 20, 2008). "All-defeated or undefeated? Unlikely - Las Vegas Sun Newspaper". lasvegassun.com. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  5. ^ Bak, Richard (November 22, 2015). "The 1942 Lions were a winless, toothless mess". Vintage Detroit Collection. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  6. ^ "NFL Records". www.nfl.com. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
[edit]
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