Lions 'In This Twilight Zone' After Not Winning, But Finally, Not Losing

The Detroit Lions are still winless, but hey, at least they're not totally defeated. Just don't ask coach Dan Campbell how he feels about Sunday's 16-all tie against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"I'm in this twilight zone," Campbell told reporters. "I don't know what this is really."

Still, everyone just assumed the Lions would fall to 0-9 after their rip to Pittsburgh. But oh ye of little faith. Truth is, the Lions are 0-8-1, and that very well may prove to be the high mark of the season.

Granted, the Lions have lost a couple of toughies, with the Baltimore Ravens needing an NFL- record field goal from Justin Tucker to beat them. Detroit also lost to the Atlanta Falcons on a last-second touchdown.

So the fact the Steelers were driving in overtime ... and got in field goal range with time running out ... and then fumbled the ball away ... served as sort of a victory for the Lions.

Sort of.

"I don't know how to feel," Detroit quarterback Jared Goff said. "I think it's my first tie. If I'm remembering correctly. It feels better than a loss, but still not where we need to be. It's a step in the right direction."

Goff finished 14-of-25 passing for 114 yards. He didn't throw a touchdown, but he didn't throw an interception either. So it truly was a day for Even Stevens.

The true Lions hero was running back D'Andre Swift, who rushed 33 times for 130 yards.

So, a step in the right direction? When you finish in a tie? When you're the Lions, that is the absolute truth.

They will get a chance to take it a step further on Sunday, when they pay a visit to the Cleveland Browns.