Sunday’s shutout against the Carolina Panthers was the Detroit Lions' first blanking since 2009, its 15th since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970 — tied for 16th in the NFL in that span — and 35th since 1940. Here’s a quick look at the times the Lions have been shut out since the merger:
Sunday: 20-0, by the Panthers in Carolina.
Oct. 18, 2009: 26-0, by the Packers in Green Bay.
Dec. 30, 2001: 24-0, by the Bears at Ford Field in Detroit.
Oct. 8, 2001: 35-0, by the Rams at Ford Field in Detroit.