the season and retired his #85, although the number eventually returned to circulation. In 1972, the Lions improved to 8–5–1. In the following season, they regressed to 6–7–1. Heart disease claimed another member of the franchise when head coach Don McCafferty died shortly before training camp in 1974. That season saw the Lions finish at 7–7. On Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1974, after over 35 years, the Lions played their final game at Tiger Stadium, where they lost to the Denver Broncos 31–27 in front of 51,157, amidst snow flurries and a 21–point Broncos third quarter. The Lions moved to a newly constructed, domed stadium in suburban Pontiac. Another 7–7 record was produced in 1975, the Lions' first year indoors. This was followed by a 6–8 showing in 1976. The team finished with an identical 6–8 record in 1977, struggling the whole season with an anemic offense that only put up 183 points. More mediocrity followed in 1978 with seven wins in the newly expanded 16-game season. The bottom fell out in 1979 with a 2–14 record. This gave the Lions the first overall pick in 1980 NFL Draft, which they used to draft Heisman Trophy winner Billy Sims from Oklahoma. Detroit also drafted quarterback Eric Hipple in the fourth round of the draft, who became the Lions starting quarterback for most of the decade. Detroit improved immediately in 1980, jumping out to a 4–0 start, before finishing with a 9–7 record, tied for first place in the Central Division with the Vikings, but failing to qualify for the playoffs due to Minnesota winning more games within the conference. The next year, the Lions had a chance to win the division on the final week of the season by defeating the Buccaneers at home; however, they would lose that game, once again failing to qualify for the playoffs, as they finished 8–8. NFC Central Division champions and Billy Sims retires (1982–1988) The Lions entered 1982 with hope for a possible playoff run. However, after a 2–0 start, a player's strike cancelled seven games, cutting the season to nine games. After the strike ended, the Lions finished 2–5. Despite this, a 4–5 record was good enough to qualify for the playoffs. They became the second team to qualify for the playoffs with a losing record. In the Wild Card Round, the Lions were routed 31–7 by the eventual Super Bowl champion