The2019 season was theDetroit Lions' 90th in theNational Football League (NFL) and their second year underhead coachMatt Patricia. The Lions had a promising start to the season with a 2–0–1 record. However, they lost 12 of their last 13 games, with 8 of those 12 losses being decided by a touchdown or less, and were mathematically eliminated from postseason contention following aThanksgiving Day loss to theChicago Bears in week 13. After franchise quarterbackMatthew Stafford broke his backbone in a Week 9 loss to theOakland Raiders, the Lions were forced to turn to formerCincinnati Bengals backup quarterbackJeff Driskel and later undrafted free agentDavid Blough, neither of whom was able to lead the Lions to a single win. The Lions failed to improve on their 6–10 record from last season, finishing the season with a 3–12–1 record and nine consecutive losses. This resulted in the 3rd pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. They also posted consecutive losing seasons for the first time since2012–2013. Not only that, they also got swept by their division rivals for the first time since2012.
On January 1, the Lions announced thatJim Bob Cooter would not return as offensive coordinator.[1]
On January 16, the Lions hiredDarrell Bevell as offensive coordinator.[2]
On January 22, the Lions hiredJohn Bonamego as special teams coordinator.[3]
On February 26, the Lions hired Kyle Caskey as running backs coach.[4]
On March 11, the Lions hired Stephen Thomas as defensive quality control coach, Rodney Hill as assistant strength and performance coach,Leon Washington as WCF minority coaching assistantship/offense and special teams coach, and Marquice Williams as assistant special teams coach.[5]
The Lions acquired a third-round selection (No. 81) from theMinnesota Vikings in exchange for their original third-round selection (No. 88) and a sixth-round selection (No. 204).[56]
The Lions acquired a fourth-round selection (No. 117) and a sixth-round selection (No. 186) from theAtlanta Falcons in exchange for their original fourth-round selection (No. 111).[57]
TheMiami Dolphins traded a conditional seventh-round selection to Detroit in exchange for defensive tackleAkeem Spence.[58]
Detroit traded a fifth-round selection to theNew York Giants in exchange for defensive tackleDamon Harrison. The condition was that the Giants would receive the higher of Detroit or San Francisco's 5th round selections.[59]
The Lions began the regular season on the road against theArizona Cardinals. After a scoreless first quarter, the Lions took a big lead by scoring 17 points in the second quarter via a 55-yard field goal byMatt Prater, a 47-yard touchdown pass fromMatthew Stafford toDanny Amendola and a nine-yard touchdown pass from Stafford toKenny Golladay. Arizona responded with a 20-yard field goal byZane Gonzalez to make the score 17–3 in favor of Detroit at half-time. Arizona scored the only points of the third quarter via a 42-yard field goal by Gonzalez. Detroit extended their lead in the fourth quarter via a 23-yard touchdown pass from Stafford toT. J. Hockenson. The Cardinals responded with 18 points in the fourth quarter, via a 34-yard field goal by Gonzalez, a 27-yard touchdown pass fromKyler Murray toDavid Johnson, and a four-yard touchdown pass from Murray toLarry Fitzgerald, followed by a two-point conversion pass from Murray toChristian Kirk to tie the game and force overtime. In overtime, the Cardinals scored via a 28-yard field goal by Gonzalez, and the Lions scored via a 33-yard field goal by Prater to re-tie the score before time expired. This was the first tie by the Lions since1984 against thePhiladelphia Eagles.[61]
In week 2, the Lions began their home schedule against theLos Angeles Chargers. The Chargers took an early lead in the first quarter via a one-yard touchdown run fromAustin Ekeler. The Lions responded with a 36-yard touchdown pass fromMatthew Stafford toKerryon Johnson, and after a failed extra point conversion, the Lions trailed by a point. The Chargers extended their lead in the second quarter via a 39-yard field goal byTy Long, making the score 10–6 in favor of Los Angeles at half-time. After a scoreless third quarter, Detroit scored the only points of the second half via a 31-yard touchdown pass from Stafford toKenny Golladay to take a 13–10 lead. The Chargers' attempted comeback failed when aPhilip Rivers pass was intercepted byDarius Slay in the end zone with 1:03 to play in the game, giving the Lions their first win of the season.
In week 3, the Lions visited thePhiladelphia Eagles. The Eagles opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 25-yard field goal byJake Elliott. The Lions then took the lead whenJamal Agnew returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown, but Philadelphia responded with a one-yard touchdown run fromJordan Howard to take it back. The Lions added 13 points in the second quarter via a one-yard touchdown run fromKerryon Johnson and a pair of field goals byMatt Prater, from 25 and 33 yards, respectively, making the score 20–10 in favor of Detroit at half-time. The Eagles scored the only points of the third quarter via a 20-yard touchdown pass fromCarson Wentz toNelson Agholor. The Lions extended their lead in the fourth quarter via a 12-yard touchdown pass fromMatthew Stafford toMarvin Jones. The Eagles responded with a two-yard touchdown pass from Wentz to Agholor, making the score 27-24. The Eagles had two more drives to win or tie the game but both drives ended in failed fourth down attempts.
In week 4, the Lions hosted theKansas City Chiefs. The Lions opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 25-yard field goal byMatt Prater, before extending their lead through a five-yard touchdown pass fromMatthew Stafford toT. J. Hockenson. The Chiefs scored 13 points in the second quarter via a pair of field goals byHarrison Butker from 23 yards and 44 yards, respectively, and a one-yard touchdown run fromLeSean McCoy. The Lions scored via a 48-yard field goal by Prater, tying the score at 13–13 at halftime. The Chiefs took their first lead of the game in the third quarter via a 100-yard fumble recovery byBashaud Breeland. The Lions responded with 10 points via a 53-yard field goal by Prater and a nine-yard touchdown pass from Stafford toKenny Golladay to regain the lead. The teams exchanged touchdowns in the fourth quarter via a one-yard touchdown run fromDarrel Williams for the Chiefs and a six-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to Golladay for the Lions. The Chiefs scored the game's final points via a one-yard touchdown run from Williams, making the final score 34–30 in favor of Kansas City, and giving the Lions their first loss of the season, going into their bye week with a 2–1–1 record. The Lions also failed to start the season with 3 wins for the first time since2011.
After their bye week, for week 6, the Lions visited their divisionalrival, theGreen Bay Packers, onMonday Night Football. The Lions scored 10 points in the first quarter via a 26-yard field goal byMatt Prater and a one-yard touchdown run fromKerryon Johnson, and extended their lead in the second quarter via a 22-yard field goal by Prater. The Packers responded with 10 points via a five-yard touchdown pass fromAaron Rodgers toJamaal Williams and a 37-yard field goal byMason Crosby, making the score 13–10 in favor of Detroit at half-time. The Packers opened the scoring in the third quarter via a 48-yard field goal by Crosby to tie the game. The Lions responded with two field goals by Prater, from 41 and 51 yards to regain the lead. The Lions extended their lead in the fourth quarter via a 54-yard field goal by Prater. The Packers responded with 10 points via a 35-yard touchdown pass from Rodgers toAllen Lazard, and a 23-yard field goal by Crosby as time expired, making the final score 23–22 in favor of Green Bay.
In week 7, the Lions hosted another divisionalrival, theMinnesota Vikings. The Lions scored 14 points in the first quarter via two touchdown passes fromMatthew Stafford toMarvin Jones from 16-yards, and three-yards, respectively. The Vikings responded with a 25-yard touchdown pass fromKirk Cousins toAdam Thielen. The Vikings scored 14 points in the second quarter via a one-yard touchdown pass from Cousins toBisi Johnson and an eight-yard touchdown run fromDalvin Cook to take their first lead of the game. The Lions responded with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to Jones, tying the score at 21–21 at halftime. Minnesota regained the lead in the third quarter via a five-yard touchdown pass from Cousins toC. J. Ham. The Lions responded with a 46-yard field goal byMatt Prater. The Vikings scored 14 points in the fourth quarter via a 15-yard touchdown pass from Cousins toKyle Rudolph and a four-yard touchdown run from Cook. The Lions responded with a two-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to Jones, making the final score 42–30 in favor of Minnesota, for Detroit's third consecutive loss. Jones became the first Lions player with four touchdown receptions in a game sinceCloyce Box did so against theBaltimore Colts in1950.[62] Stafford became the fastest quarterback to throw for 40,000 yards, reaching the milestone in 147 games.[63]
In week 8, the Lions hosted theNew York Giants. The Lions scored 14 points in the first quarter via a 13-yard fumble return byDevon Kennard and a 49-yard touchdown pass fromMatthew Stafford toMarvin Hall. The Giants added 13 points in the second quarter via two touchdown passes fromDaniel Jones toDarius Slayton, from 22-yards, and 28-yards, respectively. The Lions responded with a 52-yard field goal byMatt Prater, making the score 17–13 in favor of Detroit at half-time. The teams exchanged touchdowns in the third quarter via a nine-yard touchdown pass from Stafford toKenny Golladay for Detroit and a two-yard touchdown pass from Jones toEvan Engram for New York. The teams exchanged touchdowns in the fourth quarter via a 41-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to Golladay for Detroit and a four-yard touchdown pass from Jones toSaquon Barkley for New York, making the final score 31–26 in favor of Detroit, snapping their three-game losing streak.
In week 9, the Lions visited theOakland Raiders. The teams exchanged touchdowns in the first quarter via a two-yard touchdown run fromJosh Jacobs for the Raiders and a two-yard touchdown pass fromMatthew Stafford toMarvin Jones for the Lions. The Raiders regained the lead in the second quarter via a 32-yard field goal byDaniel Carlson. The Lions responded with a 59-yard touchdown pass from Stafford toKenny Golladay to take their first lead of the game. The Raiders responded with a three-yard touchdown run from Jacobs, making the score 17–14 in favor of Oakland at half-time. The Lions scored the only points of the third quarter via a 23-yard field goal byMatt Prater to tie the game. The teams exchanged touchdowns in the fourth quarter via a three-yard touchdown pass fromDerek Carr toFoster Moreau for the Raiders and a 26-yard touchdown pass from Stafford toJ. D. McKissic for the Lions. The Raiders scored the final points of the game via a nine-yard touchdown pass from Carr toHunter Renfrow, making the final score 31–24 in favor of Oakland. The Lions' attempt to tie the game fell short when they moved the ball to the Oakland 1-yard line with eight seconds on the clock, but were unable to score on the final play of the game.
In week 10, the Lions visited their divisionalrival, theChicago Bears. The Lions opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 23-yard field goal byMatt Prater and extended their lead in the second quarter via a 54-yard field goal by Prater. The Bears responded with an 18-yard touchdown pass fromMitchell Trubisky toBen Braunecker, making the score 7–6 in favor of Chicago at half-time. The Bears added 13 points in the third quarter via a 9-yard touchdown pass from Trubisky toTarik Cohen and a 24-yard touchdown pass from Trubisky toTaylor Gabriel. The Lions scored the only points of the fourth quarter via a 47-yard touchdown pass fromJeff Driskel toKenny Golladay, making the final score 20–13 in favor of Chicago. Due to a back injury the previous week, this was the first regular season gameMatthew Stafford missed since the2010 season, ending his streak of 136 consecutive games played.[64]
In week 11, the Lions hosted theDallas Cowboys wearing white jerseys at a home game for the first time since 1970. The Lions opened the scoring in the first quarter via a five-yard touchdown run fromBo Scarbrough. The Cowboys responded with a 30-yard field goal byBrett Maher. The teams exchanged touchdowns in the second quarter via a 21-yard touchdown pass fromDak Prescott toTony Pollard for the Cowboys to take their first lead of the game. The Lions responded with a two-yard touchdown run fromJeff Driskel to regain the lead. The Cowboys added 10 points via a one-yard touchdown run fromEzekiel Elliott, and a 19-yard touchdown pass from Prescott toRandall Cobb, making the score 24–14 in favor of Dallas at half-time. In the third quarter the Lions scored via an 11-yard touchdown pass from Driskel toMarvin Jones. The Cowboys responded with a 34-yard field goal by Maher. The teams exchanged touchdowns in the fourth quarter via a 17-yard touchdown pass from Prescott to Elliott, followed by a two-point conversion run from Pollard. The Lions scored the final points of the game via a 25-yard touchdown pass from Driskel to Jones, followed by a failed two-point conversion pass, making the final score 35–27 in favor of Dallas.
In week 12, the Lions visited theWashington Redskins. The Redskins opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 28-yard field goal byDustin Hopkins. In the second quarter, the Lions responded with a 24-yard field goal byMatt Prater to tie the game. Washington responded with 10 points via a 91-yard kickoff return bySteven Sims and a 37-yard field goal by Hopkins to regain the lead. The Lions added a 49-yard field goal by Prater at the end of the first half, making the score 13–6 in favor of Washington at half-time. The Lions scored the only points of the third quarter via a 12-yard touchdown pass fromJeff Driskel toLogan Thomas to tie the game. In the fourth quarter the Lions scored via a 21-yard field goal by Prater, to take their first and only lead of the game. The Redskins responded with two field goals by Hopkins, from 42-yards, and 39-yards, respectively, making the final score 19–16 in favor of Washington, for Detroit's fourth consecutive loss.
In week 13, the Lions hosted a rematch with their divisional rival, the Chicago Bears, in their annualThanksgiving Day game. The Bears opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 10-yard touchdown pass fromMitchell Trubisky toAllen Robinson. The Lions responded with 14 points when third-string quarterbackDavid Blough, in his NFL debut, threw two touchdown passes, one from 75-yards out toKenny Golladay and one from eight-yards out toMarvin Jones. Both teams kicked field goals in the second quarter, first Detroit'sMatt Prater from 25-yards, then Chicago'sEddy Piñeiro from 30-yards, making the score 17–10 in favor of Detroit at half-time. The Bears scored the only points of the third quarter via an 18-yard touchdown pass from Trubisky toJesper Horsted to tie the game at 17 points each. In the fourth quarter, the Lions responded with a 24-yard field goal by Prater to regain the lead. The Bears took their first lead of the game via a three-yard touchdown pass from Trubisky toDavid Montgomery. Detroit's attempted comeback failed when Robinson intercepted a pass from Blough in the final seconds, making the final score 24–20 in favor of Chicago, for Detroit's fifth consecutive loss. Also with the loss, the Lions would be eliminated from playoff contention.
In week 14, the Lions visited their divisional rival the Minnesota Vikings, for a rematch of week 7. The Vikings opened the scoring in the first quarter via a nine-yard touchdown pass fromKirk Cousins toBisi Johnson. The Vikings added 10 points in the second quarter via a 27-yard field goal byDan Bailey and a three-yard touchdown run fromDalvin Cook, making the score 17–0 in favor of Minnesota at half-time. After a scoreless third quarter, the Vikings extended their lead in the fourth quarter via a 50-yard field goal by Bailey. The Lions finally got on the board late in the fourth quarter via a 10-yard touchdown pass fromDavid Blough toKenny Golladay, making the final score 20–7 in favor of Minnesota, for Detroit's sixth consecutive loss.
In week 15, the Lions hosted theTampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers scored 14 points in the first quarter via a 34-yard touchdown pass fromJameis Winston toBreshad Perriman and a 33-yard touchdown pass from Winston toScott Miller. The Buccaneers extended their lead in the second quarter via a 25-yard touchdown pass from Winston to Perriman. The Lions finally got on the board via a 44-yard field goal byMatt Prater, making the score 21–3 in favor of Tampa Bay at half-time. In the third quarter the Buccaneers added a 46-yard field goal byMatt Gay. The Lions responded with a one-yard touchdown run fromWes Hills. In the fourth quarter the Lions added a one-yard touchdown run from Hills, reducing the Buccaneers lead to seven points. The Lions attempted comeback failed whenDavid Blough's pass was intercepted bySean Murphy-Bunting and returned 70-yards for a touchdown. The Buccaneers extended their lead via a 25-yard touchdown pass from Winston to Perriman, making the final score 38–17 in favor of Tampa Bay, for Detroit's seventh consecutive loss.
In week 16, the Lions visited theDenver Broncos. The Lions opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 26-yard field goal byMatt Prater. In the second quarter the Lions extended their lead via a 64-yard punt return byJamal Agnew. The Broncos responded with 10 points via a one-yard touchdown run fromRoyce Freeman and a 34-yard field goal byBrandon McManus, tying the score at 10–10 at halftime. In the third quarter the Broncos took their first lead of the game via a 26-yard field goal by McManus. The Lions responded with a three-yard touchdown pass fromDavid Blough toKenny Golladay to regain the lead. The Broncos scored 14 points in the fourth quarter via a three-yard touchdown pass fromDrew Lock toDaeSean Hamilton and a 27-yard touchdown run fromPhillip Lindsay, making the final score 27–17 in favor of Denver, for Detroit's eighth consecutive loss.
To end the season, the Lions hosted a rematch with their divisional rival, the Green Bay Packers. The Lions opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 19-yard pass fromDanny Amendola toDavid Blough. The Lions extended their lead in the second quarter via a one-yard touchdown run fromKerryon Johnson. The Packers finally got on the board late in the first half via a 32-yard field goal byMason Crosby. The Lions responded with a 42-yard field goal byMatt Prater as time expired, making the score 17–3 in favor of Detroit at half-time. The Packers scored the only points of the third quarter via a 20-yard touchdown pass fromAaron Rodgers toDavante Adams. The teams exchanged field goals in the fourth quarter via a 40-yard field goal by Crosby for the Packers, and a 56-yard field goal by Prater for the Lions. The Packers responded with 10 points via a 28-yard touchdown pass from Rodgers toAllen Lazard to tie the game, and a 33-yard field goal by Crosby as time expired, making the final score 23–20 in favor of Green Bay, for Detroit's ninth consecutive loss.
^abcSan Francisco finished ahead of Green Bay and New Orleans based on head-to-head sweep, claiming the No. 1 seed.
^abGreen Bay claimed the No. 2 seed over New Orleans based on conference record.
^abChicago finished ahead of Dallas based on head-to-head victory.
^abAtlanta finished ahead of Tampa Bay based on division record.
^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.
