The2017 season was theDetroit Lions' 88th in theNational Football League (NFL), their 84th as the Detroit Lions, and their fourth and final season underhead coachJim Caldwell. The Lions finished with a 9–7 record, the same record they had in 2016, but unlike the previous year, failed to qualify for the playoffs. After starting the season 3–1, they lost 6 of their next 12 games. They were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention in Week 16 following their loss to theCincinnati Bengals. Despite missing the playoffs, the Lions recorded consecutive winning seasons for the first time since1994–1995. They also won all of their division road games for the first time ever and swept their division rivalGreen Bay Packers for the first time since1991. Despite this, Caldwell was dismissed by the Lions after the season, having accumulating a winning record of 36–28 in four seasons (though was 4–25 against teams that finished with winning records), with two playoff appearances but no playoff wins.[1] The team unveiled a new uniform set and logo, which removed the black that had been used a secondary color since 2003, as well an all-gray Color Rush uniform in week 15.[2]
The Lions would not record another winning season until2022. It would be the final season they started with a win until2023.
The Lions made two separate trades with theNew England Patriots — acquiring an additional sixth-round selection (No. 215 overall) in exchange forlinebackerKyle Van Noy and their original seventh-round selection (No. 239 overall); and acquiring an additional seventh-round selection (No. 250 overall) in exchange fortight endMichael Williams.
The Lions traded their original third-round selection (No. 85 overall) to the Patriots in exchange for the Patriots' third-round selection (No. 96 overall) and their fourth-round selection (No. 124 overall).
To open the regular season, the Lions hosted theArizona Cardinals. The Cardinals took an early lead in the first quarter with an 82-yard interception return fromJustin Bethel, followed by a 24-yard field goal fromPhil Dawson. The Lions got on the board in the second quarter with a six-yard touchdown pass fromMatthew Stafford toMarvin Jones Jr., and a 58-yard field goal fromMatt Prater to make the score 10–9 in favor of Arizona at half-time. In the third quarter, the Cardinals added to their lead with a three-yard touchdown run fromKerwynn Williams, but the Lions responded with a seven-yard touchdown pass from Stafford toTheo Riddick. In the final quarter, the Lions took their first lead with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Stafford toKenny Golladay. Stafford connected with Golladay again minutes later with a 45-yard touchdown pass, thenMiles Killebrew returned an interception 35 yards for the Lions' final points. The Cardinals scored with a one-yard touchdown pass fromCarson Palmer toJ. J. Nelson, making the final score 35–23 in favor of Detroit. It was Matthew Stafford's 27th fourth quarter or overtime comeback since 2011, the most in the league.[58]
In week 2, the Lions visited theNew York Giants to play onMonday Night Football. The Lions took an early lead in the first quarter with a 27-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Marvin Jones. The Giants tied the game in the second quarter with an 18-yard touchdown pass fromEli Manning toEvan Engram, but the Lions took the lead back (which they kept for the rest of the game) with a seven-yard touchdown pass from Stafford toEric Ebron, and a 56-yard field goal by Matt Prater to make the score 17–7 in favor of Detroit at half-time. Each team only scored once in the second half: first the Giants with a 25-yard field goal byAldrick Rosas in the third quarter, then the Lions with an 88-yard punt return byJamal Agnew in the fourth quarter, making the final score 24–10 for the Lions' second consecutive win. The Lions started the season 2–0 for the first time since2011, and won both games by double digits for the first time since1980.[59] Stafford threw his 193rd touchdown, passingBob Griese for the 48th spot on the all-time list.[60]
In week 3, the Lions hosted theAtlanta Falcons. The Falcons took an early lead in the first quarter with a four-yard touchdown pass fromMatt Ryan toMohamed Sanu. The Falcons scored 13 points in the second quarter via a 36-yard field goal fromMatt Bryant, a one-yard touchdown run fromDevonta Freeman, and a 48-yard field goal from Bryant. The Lions also scored 13 points in the second quarter via a 55-yard field goal fromMatt Prater, a 40-yard field goal from Prater, and a 37-yard interception return fromGlover Quin, to make the score 20–13 in favor of Atlanta at half-time. The Falcons extended their lead in the third quarter via a 40-yard field goal from Bryant. The Lions responded with an 11-yard touchdown pass fromMatthew Stafford toGolden Tate, and a 35-yard field goal from Prater to tie the game at 23. The Falcons regained the lead in the fourth quarter via a 40-yard touchdown pass from Ryan toTaylor Gabriel. The Lions reduced the Falcons lead to four points with a 57-yard field goal from Prater. The Lions' attempted comeback failed when a touchdown pass from Stafford to Tate was overturned with eight seconds remaining in the game. Due to Tate being ruled down in the field of play and the Lions having no timeouts left, theten-second runoff rule was invoked, ending the game and giving the Lions their first loss of the season.
In week 4, the Lions visited their divisionalrival, theMinnesota Vikings. After a scoreless first quarter, the Lions got on the board with a 29-yard field goal byMatt Prater. The Vikings responded a few minutes later with a five-yard rushing touchdown byDalvin Cook to make the score 7–3 in favor of Minnesota at half-time. The Lions scored 11 unanswered points in the second half. First, Prater kicked a 37-yard field goal to cut the Vikings' lead to three in the third quarter. Next, Detroit regained the lead with a three-yard rushing touchdown byAmeer Abdullah, followed by a two-point conversion pass fromMatthew Stafford toT. J. Jones. Both third quarter scores followed Vikings fumbles that were recovered by the Lions. Detroit'sGlover Quin forced another fumble byAdam Thielen with under two minutes left in the game, which was recovered byTahir Whitehead to end Minnesota's attempt at a possible game-tying drive.
In week 5, the Lions hosted theCarolina Panthers. The teams exchanged field goals in the first quarter, one fromMatt Prater from 30-yards, and one fromGraham Gano from 21-yards. The Lions regained the lead in the second quarter via a one-yard touchdown run fromZach Zenner. The Panthers responded with a six-yard touchdown pass fromCam Newton toChristian McCaffrey, and a 10-yard touchdown pass from Newtwon toDevin Funchess, to make the score 17–10 in favor of Carolina at half-time. The Panthers scored 10 points in the third quarter via a 31-yard touchdown pass from Newton toKelvin Benjamin, and a 44-yard field from Gano. The Lions responded with 14 points in the fourth quarter via two touchdown receptions fromMatthew Stafford toDarren Fells, from four-yards and 20-yards respectively, making the final score 27–24 in favor of Carolina. Detroit's loss dropped them to 2nd in the NFC North, as the Packers beat the Cowboys later in the day to move to 4–1.
In week 6, the Lions visited theNew Orleans Saints. The Saints opened the scoring in the first quarter via a fumble recovery in the end zone byKenny Vaccaro. The Lions responded with a 45-yard touchdown pass fromMatthew Stafford toGolden Tate to tie the game. The Saints regained the lead via a 20-yard touchdown pass fromDrew Brees toTed Ginn Jr. and a 41-yard field goal fromWil Lutz. The Saints scored 14 points in the second quarter via two touchdown runs fromMark Ingram II from one and two-yards respectively.Matt Prater recorded a 41-yard field goal to make the score 31–10 in favor of New Orleans at half-time. The Saints scored 14 points in the third quarter via a two-yard touchdown pass from Brees toMichael Hoomanawanui and a 27-yard interception return fromMarshon Lattimore. The Lions responded with 28 straight points in the second half. The Lions scored 14 points in the third quarter via a 22-yard touchdown pass from Stafford toMarvin Jones Jr. and a 22-yard touchdown pass from Stafford toDarren Fells. The Lions scored 14 points in the fourth quarter via a 74-yard punt return fromJamal Agnew and a two-yard interception return fromA'Shawn Robinson, reducing the Saints' lead to seven points. The Lions' attempted comeback failed when Stafford's pass intended forEric Ebron was intercepted in the end zone byCameron Jordan, making the final score 52–38 in favor of New Orleans.
In week 8 following their bye-week, the Lions hosted thePittsburgh Steelers onSunday Night Football. The teams exchanged field goals in the first quarter, one fromChris Boswell from 34-yards, and one fromMatt Prater from 48-yards. The Lions scored nine points in the second quarter via three field goals from Prater, from 37-yards, 51-yards, and 34-yards, respectively. The Steelers responded with a five-yard touchdown run fromLe'Veon Bell, to make the score 12–10 in favor of Detroit at half-time. The Steelers scored 10 points in the third quarter via a 38-yard field from Boswell, and a 97-yard touchdown pass fromBen Roethlisberger toJuJu Smith-Schuster. The Lions responded with a 19-yard field goal from Prater in the fourth quarter, making the final score 20–15 in favor of Pittsburgh.
The Lions had 482 total yards of offense without scoring a touchdown. This was the third-highest yardage total without a touchdown in NFL history.[61]
In week 9, the Lions visited their divisionalrival, theGreen Bay Packers, onMonday Night Football. The Lions took an early lead on their opening drive of the first quarter, which they kept the rest of the game, via a 25-yard touchdown pass fromMatthew Stafford toMarvin Jones Jr. The Lions extended their lead in the second quarter via a four-yard touchdown run fromAmeer Abdullah. The Packers responded with a 35-yard field goal fromMason Crosby, to make the score 14–3 in favor of Detroit at half-time. The Lions opened the scoring in the second-half via a 44-yard field goal fromMatt Prater in the third quarter. The Lions scored 13 points in the fourth quarter via a 19-yard field goal from Prater, an 11-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to Jones, and a 31-yard field goal from Prater. The Packers scored 14 points in the fourth quarter via a one-yard touchdown run fromBrett Hundley, and a one-yard touchdown run fromJamaal Williams as time expired, making the final score 30–17 in favor of Detroit, snapping their three-game losing streak. After 23 consecutive road losses against the Packers between 1992 and 2014, the Lions have now won two of the last three meetings in Green Bay.
Matthew Stafford recorded his 200th career touchdown in the first quarter of the game, becoming the fourth quarterback in NFL history to do so before turning 30 years old, a list also occupied byBrett Favre,Dan Marino, andPeyton Manning.[62] The game also marked the first time the Lions did not punt in a game sinceThanksgiving Day in1971.[63]
In week 10, the Lions hosted the winlessCleveland Browns. The Browns scored 10 points in the first quarter via a 23-yard field goal fromZane Gonzalez, and a 19-yard touchdown pass fromDeShone Kizer toKenny Britt. The Lions responded with a 46-yard field goal from Matt Prater. The Lions tied the game in the second quarter via an eight-yard touchdown run fromAmeer Abdullah, and took their first lead of the game via a 44-yard fumble return fromNevin Lawson, to make the score 17–10 in favor of Detroit at half-time. The Browns again tied the score in the third quarter via a six-yard touchdown run fromIsaiah Crowell, and regained the lead via a one-yard touchdown run from Kizer. The Lions responded by scoring the final 21 points in the game, first with an eight-yard touchdown pass fromMatthew Stafford toTheo Riddick in the third quarter, then via a pair of fourth quarter touchdown passes, first a 29-yard touchdown pass from Stafford toEric Ebron, and next a 40-yard touchdown pass from Stafford toGolden Tate, making the final score 38–24 in favor of Detroit. The win improved the Lions to 5-4 while, ironically, defeating the team that would recreate their infamous 0-16 campaign.
In week 11, the Lions visited their divisionrival, theChicago Bears. The Bears scored 10 points in the first quarter via a 23-yard field goal fromConnor Barth, and a one-yard touchdown pass fromMitchell Trubisky toAdam Shaheen. The Lions scored 21 points in the second quarter via a 27-yard fumble return fromD. J. Hayden, a 28-yard touchdown pass fromMatthew Stafford toMarvin Jones Jr. and a two-yard touchdown pass from Stafford toAmeer Abdullah. The Bears responded with a 12-yard touchdown run fromJordan Howard, to make the score 21–17 in favor of Detroit at half-time. After a scoreless third quarter, the Lions extended their lead in the fourth quarter via a 27-yard field goal fromMatt Prater. The Bears responded with a 15-yard touchdown run fromTarik Cohen to tie the game. The Lions regained the lead via a 52-yard field goal from Prater. The Bears attempted comeback failed when Barth missed a potentially game-tying 46-yard field goal attempt with eight seconds remaining in the game, making the final score 27–24 in favor of Detroit. With the win, the Lions won all of their division games on the road in a season for the first time in franchise history.
For their annualThanksgiving Day game, the Lions hosted a rematch with their divisional rival, theMinnesota Vikings. The Vikings scored 13 points in the first quarter via a one-yard touchdown pass fromCase Keenum toKyle Rudolph, and a nine-yard touchdown run from Keenum. The Lions responded with 10 points in the second quarter via a 32-yard field goal fromMatt Prater and a six-yard touchdown pass fromMatthew Stafford toMarvin Jones Jr. The Vikings extended their lead in the second quarter via a 22-yard touchdown pass from Keenum to Rudolph to make the score 20–10 in favor of Minnesota at half-time. The Vikings opened the scoring in the second half via a two-yard touchdown run fromLatavius Murray. The Lions responded with two field goals from Prater in the third quarter from 32-yards, and 50-yards, respectively. The Lions reduced the Vikings lead to four points in the fourth via a 43-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to Jones. The Vikings extended their lead in the fourth quarter via a 36-yard field goal fromKai Forbath. The Lions' attempted comeback failed when Stafford's pass intended for Jones was intercepted byXavier Rhodes. On the Vikings' ensuing drive, Forbath's 25-yard field goal attempt was blocked byDarius Slay and recovered byNevin Lawson and returned for a 77-yard touchdown, which was then nullified due to anoffside penalty on Slay, making the final score 30–23 in favor of Minnesota, snapping the Lions' three-game winning streak and snapping the team's four-game Thanksgiving Day win streak.
In week 13, the Lions visited theBaltimore Ravens. The Ravens opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 38-yard field goal fromJustin Tucker. The Ravens added 17 points in the second quarter via a one-yard touchdown pass fromJoe Flacco toBenjamin Watson, a three-yard touchdown pass from Flacco toPatrick Ricard, and a 46-yard field goal from Tucker, giving the Ravens a 20–0 lead at the intermission. After half-time, the Lions finally got on the board and scored 13 points in the third quarter via a four-yard touchdown run fromTheo Riddick, and a six-yard touchdown run fromTion Green (the first of his career), reducing the Ravens' lead to seven points. The Ravens responded with 24 points in the fourth quarter via a seven-yard touchdown run fromAlex Collins, a 51-yard field goal from Tucker, a six-yard touchdown run from Collins, and a 45-yard interception return fromEric Weddle. The Lions scored via a one-yard touchdown pass fromMatthew Stafford toNick Bellore, making the final score 44–20 in favor of Baltimore.
In week 14, the Lions visited theTampa Bay Buccaneers. Each team exchanged touchdowns in the first quarter. First a two-yard touchdown run from Detroit'sTheo Riddick, then a one-yard touchdown run from Tampa Bay'sDoug Martin. The only score of the second quarter was a five-yard touchdown pass fromMatthew Stafford toGolden Tate, to make the score 14–7 in favor of Detroit at half-time. The Lions scored the only points of the third quarter when Riddick ran in his second touchdown of the game, this time from 18-yards. Tampa Bay responded with back-to-back touchdowns in the fourth quarter, first with a two-yard touchdown pass fromJameis Winston toO. J. Howard, then a two-yard touchdown pass from Winston toLeonard Wester to tie the game at 21.Matt Prater kicked a 46-yard field goal with 20 seconds left in the game, making the final score 24–21 in favor of Detroit.
In week 15, the Lions donned brand new all-silver uniforms and hosted a Saturday evening rematch with their division rivals, theChicago Bears. The Lions opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 48-yard field goal fromMatt Prater. The Lions extended their lead in the second quarter via a 31-yard field goal from Prater, and a three-yard touchdown pass fromMatthew Stafford toT. J. Jones. The Bears got on the board via a 41-yard field goal fromMike Nugent with two seconds remaining in the first half, to make the score 13–3 in favor of Detroit at half-time. The Lions scored the only points in the third quarter via an eight-yard touchdown pass from Stafford toEric Ebron. The Bears scored the only points in the fourth quarter via a nine-yard touchdown pass fromMitchell Trubisky toBenny Cunningham, making the final score 20–10 in favor of Detroit.
In week 16, the Lions visited theCincinnati Bengals onChristmas Eve to finish their road schedule. The Lions took an early lead whenEric Ebron caught a 33-yard touchdown pass fromMatthew Stafford for the only points of the first quarter. The Bengals'Randy Bullock kicked a pair of field goals in the second quarter, from 29-yards and 27-yards, respectively, to make the score 7–6 in favor of Detroit at half-time. The Lions extended their lead in the third quarter whenMatt Prater kicked a 23-yard field goal, but then the Bengals took their first lead of the game whenC. J. Uzomah caught a one-yard touchdown pass fromAndy Dalton. In the fourth quarter the Bengals extended their lead when Bullock scored another field goal from 35-yards out, then Detroit'sTion Green ran in a touchdown from five-yards out to give the Lions a 17–16 lead. However, Cincinnati regained the lead when they added ten more points with a 51-yard field goal from Bullock and a 12-yard touchdown run fromGiovani Bernard to make the final score 26–17 in favor of the Bengals. With the loss, the Lions were eliminated from playoff contention.
To finish the season, the Lions hosted a rematch with their divisional rivals, theGreen Bay Packers, onNew Year's Eve. The teams exchanged field goals in the first quarter, one from Green Bay'sMason Crosby from 41-yards, and one from Detroit'sMatt Prater from 28-yards. The Lions scored 17 points in the second quarter via a 54-yard touchdown pass fromMatthew Stafford toKenny Golladay, a three-yard touchdown pass from Stafford toMarvin Jones Jr., and a 30-yard field goal from Prater, to make the score 20–3 in favor of Detroit at half-time. The Lions extended their lead in the third quarter via a 71-yard touchdown pass from Stafford toGolden Tate. Each team exchanged touchdowns in the fourth quarter. First a 17-yard touchdown pass fromBrett Hundley toRandall Cobb of the Packers, followed by a two-point conversion pass from Hundley to Cobb for the Packers. Then the Lions scored the game's final points with a seven-yard touchdown run fromAmeer Abdullah, followed by a two-point conversion pass from Tate to Stafford, making the final score 35–11 in favor of Detroit. With the win, it marked the first time the Lions beat the Packers twice in the regular season since1991. The Lions also had their first back-to-back winning seasons since1994 and1995.
^abPhiladelphia claimed the No. 1 seed over Minnesota based on winning percentage vs. common opponents. Philadelphia's cumulative record against Carolina, Chicago, the Los Angeles Rams and Washington was 5–0, compared to Minnesota's 4–1 cumulative record against the same four teams.
^abLA Rams claimed the No. 3 seed over New Orleans based on head-to-head victory.
^abNew Orleans clinched the NFC South division over Carolina based on head-to-head sweep.
^abcDetroit finished ahead of Dallas and Seattle based on conference record, while Seattle finished ahead of Dallas based on head-to-head victory.
^abGreen Bay finished ahead of Washington based on record vs. common opponents. Green Bay's cumulative record against Dallas, Minnesota, New Orleans and Seattle was 2–3, compared to Washington's 1–4 cumulative record against the same four teams.
^abTampa Bay finished ahead of Chicago based on head-to-head victory.
^When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest-ranked remaining team from each division.
