November 7th isn’t normally a notable date on the calendar, but on that date in 2010, one of the more memorable moments of Detroit Lions history took place. On the 10th anniversary, we remember one of the most inventive ways the Lions have lost a game.
It’s the anniversary of the Ndamukong Suh missed extra point.
Suh was a rookie defensive tackle at the time and a fantastic one. He would earn All-Pro honors in his first season for his devastatingly effective impact on defense. But as a kicker…not so much.
Pressed into emergency duty when longtime Lions kicker Jason Hanson was injured earlier in the game, Suh called upon his experience as a high school kicker to try and nail a critical extra point.
Ahead 13-10 after a Matthew Stafford TD plunge, Suh’s attempt doinked off the upright. The New York Jets would rally to tie the game on a Nick Folk field goal as time expired, then won when Folk hit another one in overtime.
Had Suh made the conversion, the Folk field goal would have come up one point short. The loss dropped the Lions to 2-6, on their way to a 6-10 finish. Those Jets finished 11-5 and ultimately advanced to the AFC Championship game, led by Mark Sanchez, Ladanian Tomlinson and a cadre of notable veteran defensive players. It was the last time the Jets made the postseason.
Thanks to the Detroit Lions Podcast chat for pointing out the anniversary!