There are plenty of factors to point into why the Detroit Lions are one of the two winless teams in the NFL after five weeks. Even though Detroit has an 0-5 record, the Lions could easily have two wins under their belt if it weren't for incredible field goals by Justin Tucker and Greg Joseph with no time left on the clock.
Joseph's 54-yard field goal as time expired gave the Minnesota Vikings a 19-17 win over the Lions in Week 5, cementing Detroit's place in NFL history. The Lions became the first team to lose on a game winning 50-plus yard field goal with no time left on the clock twice in the same season -- and the 2021 season is only five games in.
Tucker beat the Lions with a game-winning NFL record 66-yard field goal with no time left on the clock, then Joseph followed with his own kick two weeks later. What made matters worse for Detroit -- the Lions scored a touchdown with 37 seconds left to cut the deficit to 16-15 and went for two to take the lead, converting it to take a 17-16 lead, their first since the opening quarter.
Detroit allowed two completions of 40 yards to Adam Thielen to set up Joseph's game winner -- and another heartbreaking loss. There's a reason why head coach Dan Campbell was so emotional following the defeat, knowing the Lions continue to fight in spite of the devastating defeats.
"When you see your players give all that they have and you lose that way, it's tough," Campbell said after the loss. "You don't want that for them. So, we'll be better from it.
"Credit Minnesota, but we made the one mistake that cost us. Ultimately, we didn't do enough to win but I was proud of them -- and I love the fight that they had in them and I love the grit. When your defense plays that way, you've got a chance to win every game. I thought our defense played lights out today, I really do."
The Lions' road to their first victory doesn't get any easier, as their next three games are against the Bengals,
