The Detroit Lions are to focus on helping Calvin Johnson break the record for most receiving yards in a single season.

The Lions cannot make the playoffs, having won only four of their 13 games this season.

The wide receiver is 303 yards short of Jerry Rice's record with three games left to play.

Lions center Dominic Raiola told the Associated Press: "We have to hang our hat on something this year. I think it would be awesome for him to do it. I'd love to be able to say I was on the team and helped him do it."

Johnson added: "It's definitely something that I take joy in that my teammates are right behind me on this thing. They want me to get it as much as I want to get it."

Rice set the record while playing for the San Francisco 49ers in the 1995 season.

Written by
Sian Cowper