The quarterback who accidentally cost his team the game
In short: In the midst of Detroit's historic 0–16 season, Dan Orlovsky delivered a performance for the ages. It wasn't just about the yardage, but a bizarre, self-inflicted error that decided the outcome of his first professional start.
During the 2008 NFL season, Dan Orlovsky stepped into the spotlight for the Detroit Lions. In a game against the Minnesota Vikings on October 12, Orlovsky completed 12 of 21 passes for 150 yards and a touchdown. A stroke of bad luck decided the match: Orlovsky accidentally drifted out of his end zone whilst positioned in a shotgun set. This resulted in a safety, providing the exact margin of victory for the Vikings in their 12–10 win.
This error occurred during a season of historic struggle for the Lions, who finished with an 0–16 record. Despite the winless season, Orlovly's tenure in Detroit was marked by flashes of connection, such as a 96-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Johnson the following week. Throughout his career, Orlovsky frequently acted as a crucial but underappreciated deputy, playing for teams such as the Los Angeles Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Indianapolis Colts, and Houston Texans.
Before his NFL career, Orlovsky was a standout at the University of Connecticut. His collegiate stats were prolific; as a junior, his 33 passing touchdowns tied for seventh in NCAA Division I-A. He left UConn holding numerous school records, including the most career pass completions (916) and passing yards (10,706). After a 12-season career in the NFL, Orlovsky transitioned into sports media, joining ESPN as an analyst in 2018 and eventually becoming a key member of their NFL broadcast crew.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Dan Orlovsky
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