 While the Lions showed improvement, they still finished a distant third in the NFC Central with a 7–9 record.However, the winds of change were blowing in Motown, because during his rookie season, Sanders rushed for 1,470 yards on 280 carries, and finished second in rushing just 10 yards behind the leader, Christian Okoye.He had an opportunity to win the rushing title by going back in late in the final game of the season.