NFC Central with a disappointing 5–11 record. They would rebound in 1993 to secure the division title with a 10–6 record. In the Wild Card Round, the Lions suffered a heartbreaking 28–24 loss to the Green Bay Packers. In 1994, the Lions went 9–7, clinching a playoff berth for the third time in four years. However, they would once again suffer another heartbreaking loss to the Packers in Wild Card Round, this time by the score of 16–12. In 1995, the Lions started the season 0–3. However, they would recover to finish 10–6. They actually had an opportunity to win the division title if the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Packers in the final game of the season. It wasn't meant to be as the Packers won 24–19. As a result, the Lions went on the road to face the Philadelphia Eagles. In the Wild Card Round, the Eagles embarrassed the Lions by the score of 58–37. In the following season, the Lions regressed with a 5–11 record to finish last in the division. After the season, Wayne Fontes was fired as head coach. He would be succeeded by Bobby Ross. The 1997 season saw the Lions go 9–7 to clinch a playoff berth. During the season, Sanders ran for 2,053 rushing yards, becoming the third running back to join the 2,000-yard club. In the Wild Card Round, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Lions 20–10. In 1998, the Lions finished fourth in the NFC Central with a disappointing 5–11 record. Following the season, Sanders would announce his retirement. Matt Millen: the failed rebuild and the winless season (1999–2008) After Barry Sanders retired, the 1999 season shockingly saw the Lions make the playoffs with an 8–8 record, before being dispatched by the Washington Redskins 27–13 in the Wild Card Round. Nine games into the 2000 season, Bobby Ross would resign as head coach following an embarrassing loss to the Miami Dolphins. He was replaced by assistant head coach Gary Moeller. The Lions had an opportunity to clinch a playoff berth in the final game of the season if they defeated the Chicago Bears. However, Paul Edinger would kick a 54-yard field goal with two seconds left to give the Bears a stunning 23–20 win. As a result, the Lions missed the playoffs, finishing at 9–7. Following the season, the Lions hired Matt Millen, a former player and broadcaster, as team president