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Still searching for first win, Lions host Jaguars

Nov 4, 2008 - 8:10 PM JACKSONVILLE (3-5) AT DETROIT (0-8), 1:00 pm EST

DETROIT (Ticker) -- The Detroit Lions can clinch their eighth consecutive losing season this Sunday.

The Lions will try to avoid their third 0-9 start in franchise history when they face the Jacksonville Jaguars, who lost to the previously winless Cincinnati Bengals last week.

This could be the best chance to avoid a winless season for Detroit, which does not play a team with losing record the rest of the way.

The Lions squandered a 10-point halftime lead last week, suffering a 27-23 loss to the rival Chicago Bears. Detroit also is shorthanded at quarterback with Dan Orlovsky joining Jon Kitna on the injury report.

Former Pro Bowl quarterback Daunte Culpepper did agree to a two-year deal with the Lions this week, but he likely will not be ready for this Sunday's game.

That leaves second-round pick Drew Stanton, who has not thrown an NFL pass, to be the starter.

The bright spot for Detroit continues to be Calvin Johnson, who has hauled in a touchdown reception in four straight games. The second-year pro has 37 catches for 682 yards and six scores.

Coming out of their bye week three weeks ago, the Jaguars appeared to be in perfect position to make a run at the playoffs. They were sitting at .500 and their next three opponents had two combined wins.

Jacksonville is learning that there are no guarantees in the NFL. The Jaguars followed a home defeat to the Cleveland Browns with an embarrassing 21-19 loss to the lowly Bengals last Sunday.

David Garrard passed for 229 yards with an interception as Jacksonville nearly overcame an 18-point fourth-quarter deficit but failed on a late 2-point conversion.

The Jaguars' woes can be linked to their running game. Jacksonville had the second-ranked rushing attack in 2007 at 149.4 yards per game, but have managed just 110 yards per game this season, which is 17th-best in league.