It was 2009 and the Lions had just ended a 19-game losing streak with a victory over the Redskins and coach Jim Schwartz and the Lions were enjoying the moment by walking around Ford Field and celebrating with the fans.
Fast-forward two years and the Lions were back doing the same thing Saturday night at Ford Field, but this time after clinching their first playoff spot in 12 years.
In two short years, the Lions have gone from celebrating one win to celebrating 10.
The reason?
Quarterback 
“It’s been a long road, that’s for sure,” Stafford said after Saturday’s 38-10 victory over the Chargers. “For me personally, for our team, for everyone involved.”
The team’s No. 1 draft pick in 2009, Stafford missed 19 games his first two seasons in the league because of injury. He has stayed relatively healthy this season and has made it through the team’s first 15 games for the first time in his career.
It’s certainly no coincidence it’s also the team’s most successful season since 1995.
“That’s probably the key to the franchise is having a good quarterback,” said Lions coach Jim Schwartz. “I think we’ll hold on to him for awhile.”
Good move, coach.
Stafford has emerged as one of the league’s best passers and one of its biggest up-and-coming stars.
He had one of the finest games of his young career Saturday in the biggest game in Ford Field history.
Stafford completed 29-of-36 passes for 373 yards and three touchdowns with a quarterback rating of 137.6.
His 80.6-percent completion percentage is the highest in a game in franchise history for a quarterback with at least 25 attempts.
“He was our first No. 1 draft pick when Jim Schwartz came in and you need a great quarterback to win in this league and we got a great one,” said Lions center
Saturday was Stafford’s seventh 300-yard passing game of the season as he broke Scott Mitchell's franchise record for passing yards in a season (4,338) on a 30-yard toss to receiver
Stafford has 4,518 yards and 36 touchdowns on the season.
“He’s still young,” Lions tight end
