Editing Barry Sanders (section)

==== Playoff disappointments and MVP season (1995–1998) ====
The 1995 season began against the [[1995 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]]; Sanders recorded 21 rushing attempts for 108 yards.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |title=Barry Sanders 1995 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SandBa00/gamelog/1995/ |access-date=June 2, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |publisher=[[Sports Reference, LLC]] |language=en}}</ref> On September 25 against the [[1995 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco 49ers]], Sanders had a down game, recording 17 attempts for only 24 yards.<ref name=":11" /> Against the [[1995 Cleveland Browns season|Cleveland Browns]], Sanders improved with 157 yards from 18 attempts and three touchdowns, including a 75-yard touchdown run, in a 38–20 victory.<ref name=":11" /> Sanders finished with 314 attempts for 1,500 yards and 11 touchdowns. For his season, Sanders was selected to the Pro Bowl and named an AP first-team All-Pro.<ref name=":1" /> The Lions posted a {{Abbr|10–6|10 wins, 6 losses}} record and made the postseason with a wild card spot, where they faced the [[1995 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]] in the [[1995–96 NFL playoffs#NFC: Philadelphia Eagles 58, Detroit Lions 37|Wild Card Round]].<ref name=":13" /> Sanders had ten attempts for 40 yards as the Lions' rushing game was stuffed by the Eagles' defense. The Lions were likewise overwhelmed by the Eagles' offense and faced a 44-point deficit in the third quarter 51–7, eventually losing the game 58–37; despite teammate [[Lomas Brown]] stating before the game that a Lions victory was "guaranteed".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Brookover |first=Bob |date=December 31, 1995 |title=Defense becomes Lions tamers |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/183265653/?terms=%22barry%22%20%22sanders%22&match=1 |access-date=June 16, 2022 |work=[[Courier Post]]|via=Newspapers.com |page=8F}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Zaroo |first=Philip |date=2009-06-05 |title=Philadelphia reporter tells story of infamous Lomas Brown 'guarantee' of 1995 |url=https://www.mlive.com/highlightreel/2009/06/philadelphia_reporter_tells_st.html |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=mlive.com |language=en}}</ref> At the time, this was the highest-scoring postseason game in NFL history, with 95 points scored.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sheridan |first=Phil |date=December 31, 1995 |title=Detroit's Brown readily eats words |pages=C1, C7 |work=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/178329518 |access-date=June 19, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Al-Khateeb |first=Zac  |date=2023-01-21 |title=Highest-scoring NFL playoff games: Breaking down the record for most points scored and in what matchup |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/highest-scoring-nfl-playoff-games-record-most-points-scored-matchup/d9wrhqhqlhuozd2julkkrzt3 |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=Sporting News |language=en-us}}</ref> This record was bested by one point in a 51–45 victory by the [[2009 Arizona Cardinals season|Arizona Cardinals]] over the [[2009 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]] in [[2009–10 NFL playoffs|2009]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Farmer |first=Sam |date=January 11, 2010 |title=Warner's 5 TDs, Dansby's fumble return cap big day |page=3 |work=[[The Chicago Tribune]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/232856114/?terms=%2296%22%20%22kurt%20warner%22&match=1 |access-date=June 19, 2022}}</ref>

In 1996, during the first game of the season against the [[1996 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]], Sanders recorded 24 rushing attempts for 163 rushing yards.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Barry Sanders 1996 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SandBa00/gamelog/1996/ |access-date=February 26, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |publisher=[[Sports Reference, LLC]] |language=en}}</ref> Against the [[1996 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]], Sanders had nine attempts for only 36 yards.<ref name=":2" /> On November 3 against the [[1996 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]], Sanders had 20 attempts for 152 yards and a touchdown.<ref name=":2" /> Against the [[1996 Seattle Seahawks season|Seattle Seahawks]] on November 17, Sanders had 16 attempts for 134 yards and a touchdown.<ref name=":2" />{{Sfn|Crompton|2008|p=73}} Against the [[1996 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]] the following week, Sanders had 21 attempts for 107 yards and a touchdown.<ref name=":2" /> Sanders had 20 attempts for 134 yards and a touchdown against the Vikings, but a missed two-point conversion attempt after his touchdown resulted in the Lions losing 22–24.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions - December 8th, 1996 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199612080det.htm |access-date=February 26, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |publisher=[[Sports Reference, LLC]] |language=en}}</ref> In the final game of the season, he recorded 28 attempts for 175 yards against the [[1996 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco 49ers]].<ref name=":2" /> Overall, Sanders finished the regular season first in the league in rushing yards with 1,553 rushing yards from 307 attempts. He scored 11 rushing touchdowns, and had 97.1 rushing yards per game, which was first in the league.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1996 NFL Rushing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1996/rushing.htm |access-date=February 26, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |publisher=[[Sports Reference, LLC]] |language=en}}</ref> At this point in his career, Sanders had 11,725 career rushing yards, seventh all-time, and ranked eighth all-time in career rushing touchdowns, with 84.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Career Rushing Touchdowns Leaders Through 1996 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/rush_td_career_1996.htm |access-date=February 26, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |publisher=[[Sports Reference, LLC]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Career Rushing Yards Leaders Through 1996 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/rush_yds_career_1996.htm |access-date=February 26, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |publisher=[[Sports Reference, LLC]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Career Rushing Attempts Leaders Through 1996 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/rush_att_career_1996.htm |access-date=February 26, 2022 |website=Pro-Football Reference |publisher=[[Sports Reference, LLC]] |language=en}}</ref> The Lions regressed, posting a {{Abbr|5–11|5 wins, 11 losses}} record, and failed to make the postseason after three straight playoff seasons from 1993 to 1995; though Sanders still made the Pro Bowl and was named an AP second-team All-Pro.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":13" />

Before the start of the 1997 season, Fontes was fired after nine seasons coaching the Lions, and replaced by [[Bobby Ross]]; Sanders was saddened by Fontes' firing, believing he deserved another chance at coaching the team.{{Sfn|Crompton|2008|p=76}} On September 7 against the [[1997 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|Tampa Bay Buccaneers]], Sanders struggled on the ground, having 10 attempts for only 20 yards, but recorded 102 receiving yards and a touchdown.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Barry Sanders 1997 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SandBa00/gamelog/1997/ |access-date=June 2, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |publisher=[[Sports Reference, LLC]] |language=en}}</ref> On October 12, Sanders dominated with 215 yards from 24 attempts and two touchdowns against the Buccaneers, passing [[Jim Brown]] to be the fourth-ranked career rushing leader in NFL history, with 12,513 career rushing yards; he also caught a seven-yard touchdown pass.<ref name=":5" />{{Sfn|Crompton|2008|p=80}} Against the [[1997 Indianapolis Colts season|Indianapolis Colts]], Sanders had another stellar performance, compiling 24 attempts for 216 yards and two touchdowns (including one of 80 yards).<ref name=":5" /> With the win, Sanders became the first running back with ten consecutive games with 100 yards rushing in a season, and became the first running back to have three touchdowns of 80+ yards in a season.{{Sfn|Crompton|2008|p=81}} Against the [[1997 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]], Sanders had 19 attempts for 167 yards and three touchdowns, passing [[Eric Dickerson]] to become the second-ranked rusher for career yards behind [[Walter Payton]]<ref name=":5" />{{Sfn|Crompton|2008|p=81-82}} On December 21, 1997, Sanders entered the season finale against the [[1997 New York Jets season|New York Jets]] needing at least 131 rushing yards to reach 2,000 for the season; both teams needed a win to clinch a playoff berth.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cote |first=Greg |date=December 19, 1997 |title=2,000 reasons why Barry is MVP |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/643719793/?terms=%22barry%20sanders%22%20%22whupping%22&match=1 |access-date=June 10, 2022 |work=[[The Miami Herald]]|via=Newspapers.com |pages=8D}}</ref><ref name=":5" /> Sanders reached the 2,000 mark on a two-yard run; finishing the game with 23 attempts for 184 yards and a touchdown; helping the Lions edge the Jets 13–10.<ref name=":5" />{{Sfn|Crompton|2008|p=83}} Sanders had a season that is considered among the greatest ever by a running back.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Swartz |first=Bryn |date=March 20, 2009 |title=The 10 Greatest Running Back Seasons in NFL History |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/142064-the-10-greatest-running-back-seasons-in-nfl-history |access-date=March 4, 2022 |website=[[Bleacher Report]] |language=en}}</ref> He recorded 2,053 rushing yards, which was first in the league that season, from 335 attempts and 11 touchdowns, becoming just the third running back in history to reach [[2,000-yard club|2,000 rushing yards]] in a season. For his accomplishments, he credited his [[offensive linemen]], stating: "Without them, I wouldn't have run far at all."{{Sfn|McCormick|2003|p=106}} Sanders rushed for 100+ yards in the season's final 14 games, an NFL record.<ref name=":5" /> With 2,358 total scrimmage yards, he broke the single-season record for scrimmage yards that was held by [[Marcus Allen]]; the record was broken two seasons later by [[Marshall Faulk]], and again by [[Chris Johnson (running back)|Chris Johnson]] in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Yards From Scrimmage Single-Season Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/yds_from_scrimmage_single_season.htm |access-date=March 5, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |publisher=[[Sports Reference, LLC]] |language=en}}</ref> Sanders was named to the Pro Bowl and AP first-team All-Pro, and awarded the Bert Bell Award. Sanders was also awarded his second NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award, and the [[Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player Award|NFL Most Valuable Player]] (MVP) (co-won with [[Brett Favre]]).<ref name=":1" /> The Lions posted a {{Abbr|9–7|9 wins, 7 losses}} record and clinched a wild card spot as the No. 5 seed in the NFC.<ref name=":13" /> Sanders and the Lions faced the Buccaneers, who were playing their first home postseason game since 1979.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tampa Bay Buccaneers Playoff History |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/tam/playoffs.htm |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Sanders had 18 attempts for 65 yards as the Lions lost 10–20 in the [[1997–98 NFL playoffs#NFC: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20, Detroit Lions 10|Wild Card Round]], after quarterback [[Scott Mitchell (quarterback)|Scott Mitchell]] left the game with an injury in the third quarter.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wild Card - Detroit Lions at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - December 28th, 1997 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199712280tam.htm |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=1997-12-29 |title=Buccaneers 20, Lions 10 |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1997/12/29/buccaneers-20-lions-10/ |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=Chicago Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref>

On September 13, 1998, against the [[1998 Cincinnati Bengals season|Cincinnati Bengals]], Sanders recorded 185 rushing yards from 26 rushing attempts with three touchdowns in the 34–28 loss in Week 2.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=Barry Sanders 1998 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SandBa00/gamelog/1998/ |access-date=June 2, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |publisher=[[Sports Reference, LLC]] |language=en}}</ref> Sanders had 22 attempts for 69 yards in a 6–29 loss against the [[1998 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]].<ref name=":7" /> On November 26, 1998, against the [[1998 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]], Sanders had a down game, with 20 attempts for only 33 rushing yards; the Lions were still victorious 19–16 in overtime.<ref name=":7" /> Against the [[1998 Jacksonville Jaguars season|Jacksonville Jaguars]], Sanders had 18 attempts for 102 yards.<ref name=":7" /> In Sanders' final game of his career, on December 27, 1998, he had 19 attempts for 41 yards in a 10–19 loss against the [[1998 Baltimore Ravens season|Baltimore Ravens]].<ref name=":7" /> Sanders capped off his final season with 1,491 rushing yards (fourth in the league), from a career-high 343 attempts (fifth in the league), and four touchdowns.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1998 NFL Rushing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1998/rushing.htm |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> He was nine yards short of completing five straight seasons with at least 1,500 rushing yards. He was selected to his tenth Pro Bowl, and named an AP second-team All-Pro.<ref name=":1" /> The Lions struggled despite Sanders' performances, going {{Abbr|5–11|5 wins, 11 losses}}, and failing to make the playoffs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1998 Detroit Lions Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/det/1998.htm |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1998 NFL Standings & Team Stats |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1998/index.htm |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>