Brian Griese bends over after he is hit by Lions defenders, which forced an interception in the fourth quarter. (Tribune / Jose M. Osorio)
By Brad Biggs
For a minute it sounded like Lions coach Jim Schwartz was going to reference the 1987 John Hughes' movie "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" when talking about his team's 20-game road losing streak.
Schwartz, of course, has only been on board for eight of those defeats last season when his team at least ended the losing streak that came out of the 0-16 train wreck of a season.
The Lions, who come to Soldier Field for the season opener Sunday, last won away from Ford Field on Oct. 28, 2007, at Soldier Field of all places. The Lions topped the Bears 16-7 on a day in which quarterback Brian Griese was intercepted four times, three in the end zone.
Does that weigh on the minds of the players in Detroit?
"If you polled half of our team they would have no idea how long that losing streak is and everything else," Schwartz said.
"We brought in a lot of veteran players here that have won a lot of football games on the road and at home, guys like Kyle Vanden Bosch and Nate Burelson, Corey Williams. We added a lot of players that were drafted, Ndamukong Suh, Jahvid Best, so we can't hold those guys accountable for what has happened in the past.
"We haven't been a good road team the last couple years. We haven't been a good team the last couple of years. We haven't won very many games at home either. You win on the road in this league by having good players, having a good scheme, coaching them well and playing good on Sundays.
"You don't win because you take the train or take a plane or know how to pack a suitcase or know how to check into a hotel room. Winning on the road in the NFL is a result of having good players who are coached well and I like where we are there."
"If you polled half of our team they would have no idea how long that losing streak is and everything else," Schwartz said.
"We brought in a lot of veteran players here that have won a lot of football games on the road and at home, guys like Kyle Vanden Bosch and Nate Burelson, Corey Williams. We added a lot of players that were drafted, Ndamukong Suh, Jahvid Best, so we can't hold those guys accountable for what has happened in the past.
"We haven't been a good road team the last couple years. We haven't been a good team the last couple of years. We haven't won very many games at home either. You win on the road in this league by having good players, having a good scheme, coaching them well and playing good on Sundays.
"You don't win because you take the train or take a plane or know how to pack a suitcase or know how to check into a hotel room. Winning on the road in the NFL is a result of having good players who are coached well and I like where we are there."
The Lions topped the Bears 16-7 on a day in which quarterback Brian Griese was intercepted four times, three in the end zone.
Even Cutler can't top that.
Uh, coach. You haven't been a very good home team either.