What if the Detroit Lions had drafted JaMarcus Russell?

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OAKLAND, CA – JANUARY 3: Terrell Suggs #55 of the Baltimore Ravens tackles JaMarcus Russell #2 of the Oakland Raiders during an NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on January 3, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) /

Part 2 | Welcome to Hell

The real-life Lions were 2-0 at this point in 2007. The JaMarcus Russell Lions were… not.

After losing to the Vikings by 44 points, in a game in which Russell went 8-for-22 for 79 yards and two interceptions, the Lions doggedly refused to bench Russell as the season quickly spiraled into the abyss.

54. Final. 20. 50. 27

Russell: 6/18, 46 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions

Russell threw his first touchdown in this game. He also threw for a total of 46 yards.

27. 57. 6. 50. Final

Russell: 6/30, 78 yards, four interceptions.

The real-life Lions scored 34 points in the fourth quarter of this game en route to a win. Russell contributed a total of -5 passing and rushing yards in the same time period. He also threw four interceptions for the second time in the season, bringing his season total to 12.

Russell: 9/26, 93 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions

For the fifth straight game, Russell failed to reach 100 yards. The Lions’ average of 11.8 points per game was now lower than Russell’s interception total (14).

Fortunately for everyone involved, the Lions had a bye during week six. Unfortunately, it ended.

50. Final. 37. 48. 3

Final. 7. 50. 37. 57

34. 45. 13. 50. Final

Russell in three games: 14/75, 249 yards, one touchdown, seven interceptions

The real-life Lions were 6-2 at the halfway point of the 2007 season.

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