Dave Birkett

Detroit Free Press

Twenty-five years after they played in their only NFC championship game, the Detroit Lions will honor the 1991 team that went 12-4 and won the NFC Central Division.

The festivities originally were set for the Oct. 23 game against Washington -- the team that beat the Lions in the NFC championship game -- but several 1991 team members had scheduling conflicts that weekend. So the celebration now will take place at the Oct. 16 game against the Los Angeles Rams.

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The Lions won their only playoff game of the Super Bowl era in the 1991 season, beating the Dallas Cowboys, 38-6, in the divisional round. Many thought that the Lions were poised to become regular Super Bowl contenders after that season, but the team never paired star running back Barry Sanders with a reliable quarterback.

The Lions have gone winless in seven playoff appearances since.

While details of the 25th anniversary celebration still are being finalized, the Lions expect much of that year’s team to return for the festivities.

Sanders, who ran for 1,548 yards in 15 games in 1991, has taken part in alumni functions in recent years, and if the Lions’ marketing of the 25th anniversary celebration is any indication -- Sanders’ picture adorns the ticket for the Lions' home game against Washington, along with "25th anniversary of the 1991 Detroit Lions" -- the Hall of Fame running back should be in attendance.

Tickets were printed before the scheduling change.

Erik Kramer, Brett Perriman, Mel Gray, Lomas Brown, Ray Crockett, Chris Spielman and Jerry Ball were among the Lions’ other stars in 1991.

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The Lions are coming off of a disappointing 7-9 season but have one of the league’s more favorable schedules this fall.

The Rams, who are returning to Los Angeles this fall, beat the Lions in St. Louis last year, 21-14.

Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter@davebirkett

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