Not sure how many know this but before their move to Detroit after the 1933 NFL season. Prior to that they were known as the Portsmouth Spartans. They were formed in 1928 and started playing in the 1930 season. In the 1932 season they finished tied with the Chicago Bears and had what is called now the first NFL playoff game. The game was scheduled to be played at Chicago's Wrigley Field, but a severe blizzard forced the game to be moved to a make shift field made indoors at Chicago Stadium and could only be 80 yards long. The Bears won 9-0 on a touchdown pass from Bronko Nagurski to Red Grange.

After the 1933 season the team was then moved to Detroit to become the Detroit Lions. The Portsmouth Spartans were the 2nd smallest NFL city at the time with only 43,000 residents. The Packers were the smallest at 38,000 in 1930.

San Francisco 31-20.

On 1/22/2024 at 7:09 PM, 16thBBall Fan said:

Not sure how many know this but before their move to Detroit after the 1933 NFL season. Prior to that they were known as the Portsmouth Spartans. They were formed in 1928 and started playing in the 1930 season. In the 1932 season they finished tied with the Chicago Bears and had what is called now the first NFL playoff game. The game was scheduled to be played at Chicago's Wrigley Field, but a severe blizzard forced the game to be moved to a make shift field made indoors at Chicago Stadium and could only be 80 yards long. The Bears won 9-0 on a touchdown pass from Bronko Nagurski to Red Grange.

After the 1933 season the team was then moved to Detroit to become the Detroit Lions. The Portsmouth Spartans were the 2nd smallest NFL city at the time with only 43,000 residents. The Packers were the smallest at 38,000 in 1930.

If you have ever seen the Peyton Places on the +, they cover the small city NFL teams moving to the major cities. It’s quite interesting.

I am voting with my heart but give me the Lions. 

11 minutes ago, theguru said:

I am voting with my heart but give me the Lions. 

I really want them to win too.

1 hour ago, Breds82 said:

If you have ever seen the Peyton Places on the +, they cover the small city NFL teams moving to the major cities. It’s quite interesting.

Up when I use to live in Northeastern Kentucky we loved to eat at a place in Portsmouth OH called The Scioto Ribber. It is a great steak and rib place with a bar. They have lots of memorabilia from those early years of the Spartans. The actually have a flyer and a actual ticket stub when the Green Bay Packers came there for a game.

They also back in the 80's and early 90's when the Bengals had their practice facility in Wilmington, OH they would at the end of training camp bring the entire team down for a meal at the Ribber. There are pictures all around the bar with the owner with all of the Bengal greats from the late 70's through the 80's like Munoz, Anderson, Collingsworth, Breeden, Breech, and many others. If you are ever up in that area it is differently worth a stop for both the food and the pictures.

I can't believe they cut that flyover off before going to commercial, ugh. 

Touchdown Lions!!!

That opening touchdown drive couldn’t have started better for Detroit. I really hope that they win.

Just now, hrcarrier said:

That opening touchdown drive couldn’t have started better for Detroit. I really hope that they win.

You'd have to be the world's biggest 49'ers fan to not be pulling for the Lions. 

If they can go down here and score the Niners are in trouble I think.

5 minutes ago, 16thBBall Fan said:

If they can go down here and score the Niners are in trouble I think.

I agree and they did. San Francisco struggles playing from behind. Once the Bengals got up on them it was a wrap. And I, along with everyone who’s not a 49ers fan wants to see the Lions in the Super Bowl.

Important drive for Detroit here defensively. San Francisco scored with little to no trouble last drive.

21 minutes ago, hrcarrier said:

I agree and they did. San Francisco struggles playing from behind. Once the Bengals got up on them it was a wrap. And I, along with everyone who’s not a 49ers fan wants to see the Lions in the Super Bowl.

Yes Coach Shanahan is 1-30 now all-time when trailing going into the 4th quarter.

Another touchdown off of the Purdy pick it is now 21-7 Detroit with just under 6 minutes left in the first half.