On March 28,NFL Films andHBO announced that the Lions would be featured in the newest season ofHard Knocks, a show that follows NFL teams through training camp.[1]
After a 1–6 start, the Lions had a mid-season turnaround, winning eight of their next ten games. The Lions finished the season 9–8, improving upon their 3–13–1 record from theprevious season. This marked their first winning record since2017. The Lions won five out of six divisional games, splitting their season series with theMinnesota Vikings.
Prior to taking the field in Week 18 against theGreen Bay Packers, the Lions were eliminated from playoff contention for the sixth consecutive season after theSeattle Seahawks defeated theLos Angeles Rams. Despite beating the Packers and having the same 9–8 record as the Seahawks, they lost the playoff spot based on theteams' Week 4 head-to-head meeting, won by the Seahawks. Nevertheless, their win simultaneously eliminated their NFC North rival from playoff contention and allowed the Seahawks to claim the final NFC wild card berth.
Detroit held thesecond overall pick in the draft. They had also gained the final pick in the first round, number 32, from theLA Rams.[24] With days until the Draft, the Lions were heavily projected to draftUniversity of Michigan's defensive endAidan Hutchinson.[25] After theJaguars choseTravon Walker with thefirst overall pick, the Lions made their selection choosing Hutchinson. Holmes reflected on Hutchinson being a Michigan native, saying "It's always great to get the hometown favorite, but I know there's a lot of fanfare for Aidan. His ability to stay home and hopefully be, not only a productive player for our football team, but I know that he'll make his mark in this community. He already has so it's only gonna continue to trend up from here."[26]
With the Lions holding the 32nd and 34th picks, they traded them along with the 66th pick to theMinnesota Vikings for the 12th and 46th picks. With the 12th pick, the Lions chose wide receiverJameson Williams, who was coming off an ACL tear in the2022 national championship.[27]
^abcdeThe Lions traded first-, second- and third-round selections (32nd, 34th and 66th overall) to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for first- and second-round selections (12th and 46th overall).[28]
^The Lions traded QBMatthew Stafford to theLos Angeles Rams in exchange for QBJared Goff, a first-round selection (32nd overall), a 2021 third-round selection and a 2023 first-round selection.
^abcCompensatory selections awarded to the Detroit Lions. Under the rules for compensatory draft selections, a team losing more or better compensatory free agents than it acquires in the previous year is eligible to receive compensatory picks. Compensatory free agents are determined by a formula based on salary, playing time and postseason honors. The formula was developed by the NFL management council. Not every free agent lost or signed by a club is covered by this formula, and no club may receive more than four compensatory picks in any one year.[29]
^The Lions traded a fourth-round selection (107th overall) and a 2021 fifth-round selection to theCleveland Browns in exchange for 2021 fourth- and seventh-round selections.[30]
^abThe Lions traded fifth- and seventh-round selections (145th and 234th overall) to theDenver Broncos in exchange for WRTrinity Benson and a 2023 sixth-round pick.[31]
^abcThe Lions traded a sixth-round selection (181st overall) to thePhiladelphia Eagles in exchange for sixth- and seventh-round selections (188th and 237th overall).
^abThe Lions traded a conditional seventh-round selection (223rd overall) in exchange for QBDavid Blough and a seventh-round selection (234th overall).
To open the regular season, the Lions hosted thePhiladelphia Eagles. The Lions opened the scoring in the first quarter via a one-yard touchdown run fromJamaal Williams. The Eagles responded with 21 unanswered points in the second quarter via two one-yard touchdown runs fromJalen Hurts andMiles Sanders, respectively, and a 27-yard interception return byJames Bradberry. The Lions responded with a seven-yard touchdown run fromD'Andre Swift. The Eagles scored the final points of the half via a 23-yard field goal byJake Elliott, which made the score 24–14 in favor of Philadelphia at half-time. The Eagles scored 14 points in the third quarter via a two-yard touchdown run fromKenneth Gainwell and a one-yard touchdown run fromBoston Scott. The Lions responded with a four-yard touchdown pass fromJared Goff toAmon-Ra St. Brown. The Lions scored 14 points in the fourth quarter via a one-yard touchdown run from Williams and a 22-yard touchdown pass from Goff toD. J. Chark, making the final score 38–35 in favor of Philadelphia.
DET – Amon-Ra St. Brown – 9 receptions, 116 yards, 2 TD
In week 2, the Lions hosted theWashington Commanders. The Lions scored 12 points in the first quarter via a 35-yard field goal byAustin Seibert, a fumble forced byCharles Harris in the end zone for asafety, and a 13-yard touchdown pass fromJared Goff toAmon-Ra St. Brown. The Lions extended their lead in the second quarter via a 48-yard field goal by Seibert and a three-yard touchdown pass from Goff toJosh Reynolds, which made the score 22–0 in favor of Detroit at half-time. The Commanders finally got on the board in the third quarter via a 15-yard touchdown pass fromCarson Wentz toCurtis Samuel and a 20-yard touchdown pass from Wentz toLogan Thomas. The Lions responded with a 22-yard touchdown pass from Goff toD'Andre Swift. The teams exchanged touchdowns in the fourth quarter, first a one-yard touchdown run fromAntonio Gibson for the Commanders, then an 11-yard touchdown pass from Goff to St. Brown for the Lions. The Commanders scored the final points of the game via a one-yard touchdown pass from Wentz toJahan Dotson, making the final score 36–27 in favor of Detroit.
Amon-Ra St. Brown had 2 touchdown receptions for the Lions and set an NFL record with his 6th consecutive game with 8+ catches.[36]
In week 3, the Lions visited theirdivisional rival, theMinnesota Vikings. The Lions opened the scoring in the first quarter via a two-yard touchdown run fromJamaal Williams. The Lions extended their lead in the second quarter via a five-yard touchdown pass fromJared Goff toT. J. Hockenson. The Vikings responded with 14 points in the quarter via a one-yard touchdown pass fromKirk Cousins toAdam Thielen and a four-yard touchdown run fromDalvin Cook, tying the score at 14–14 at half-time. The Lions scored 10 points in the third quarter via a 40-yard field goal byAustin Seibert and a 13-yard touchdown run from Williams. The Vikings scored 14 points in the fourth quarter via a six-yard touchdown run fromAlexander Mattison and a 28-yard touchdown pass from Cousins toK. J. Osborn with 45 seconds left in the half. The Lions' attempted comeback failed when Goff's pass intended forD. J. Chark was intercepted byJosh Metellus with 17 seconds remaining in the game, making the final score 28–24 in favor of Minnesota.
In week 4, the Lions hosted theSeattle Seahawks. The Seahawks opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 17-yard touchdown pass fromGeno Smith toWill Dissly. The Lions responded with a 32-yard touchdown pass fromJared Goff toT. J. Hockenson,Dominik Eberle's extra point was wide left. The Seahawks extended their lead via an eight-yard touchdown run from Smith. The Seahawks scored 10 points in the second quarter via a 56-yard field goal byJason Myers and a two-yard touchdown pass from Smith toNoah Fant. The Lions scored nine points in the quarter via a 49-yard field goal by Eberle and a one-yard touchdown run fromJamaal Williams as time expired in the half. Eberle's extra point was wide right, which made the score 24–15 in favor of Seattle at half-time. The Seahawks scored 14 points in the third quarter via a 40-yard interception return byTariq Woolen and a 36-yard touchdown run fromRashaad Penny. The Lions responded with a 51-yard touchdown run from Williams and a two-point conversion run by Goff. The Seahawks scored 10 points in the fourth quarter via a 25-yard field goal by Myers and a 41-yard touchdown run from Penny. The Lions scored 22 points in the quarter via a three-yard touchdown pass from Goff toJosh Reynolds and a two-point conversion pass from Goff to Hockenson, a four-yard touchdown pass from Goff to Hockenson, and a two-yard touchdown pass from Goff toJustin Jackson. The Lions' attempted comeback failed when theonside kick was recovered by the Seahawks, making the final score 48–45 in favor of Seattle.
In week 5, the Lions visited theNew England Patriots. The Patriots opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 37-yard field goal byNick Folk. The Patriots scored 13 points in the second quarter via a 32-yard field goal by Folk, a 59-yard fumble return byKyle Dugger and a 44-yard field goal by Folk, which made the score 16–0 in favor of New England at half-time. The Patriots scored 10 points in the third quarter via a 37-yard field goal by Folk, and a 24-yard touchdown pass fromBailey Zappe toJakobi Meyers. The Patriots extended their lead in the fourth quarter via a 29-yard field goal by Folk, making the final score 29–0 in favor of New England. It was the Lions' first shutout loss since week 11 of2020. The Lions failed to convert six fourth-down tries, the first time in NFL history a team failed to convert a fourth down with six or more tries in a game. The1995 New England Patriots held the previous record, going 0–5 in a loss to theDenver Broncos.[37] With the loss, the Lions went into their bye week at 1–4.
Following their bye week, in week 7, the Lions visited theDallas Cowboys. The Lions opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 40-yard field goal byMichael Badgley. The Cowboys tied the game in the second quarter via a 22-yard field goal byBrett Maher. The Lions responded with a 53-yard field goal by Badgley, which made the score 6–3 in favor of Detroit at half-time. The Lions were held scoreless in the second half. The Cowboys scored a one-yard touchdown run fromEzekiel Elliott in the third quarter to take their first lead of the game. The Cowboys scored 14 points in the fourth quarter via a one-yard touchdown run from Elliott and a two-yard touchdown pass fromDak Prescott toPeyton Hendershot, making the final score 24–6 in favor of Dallas.
In week 8, the Lions hosted theMiami Dolphins. The Lions scored 14 points in the first quarter via a seven-yard touchdown run fromJamaal Williams and a seven-yard touchdown pass fromJared Goff toD'Andre Swift. The Dolphins responded with a five-yard touchdown pass fromTua Tagovailoa toJaylen Waddle. The Dolphins scored 10 points in the second quarter via a 29-yard touchdown pass from Tagovailoa to Waddle and a 45-yard field goal byJason Sanders. The Lions scored 13 points in the quarter via a one-yard touchdown run from Williams, and two field goals byMichael Badgley, from 42-yards and 26-yards, respectively, which made the score 27–17 in favor of Detroit at half-time. The Lions were held scoreless in the second-half. The Dolphins scored 14 points in the third quarter via a one-yard touchdown run fromAlec Ingold and an 11-yard touchdown pass from Tagovailoa toMike Gesicki. Neither team scored in the fourth quarter, making the final score 31–27 in favor of Miami.
In week 9, the Lions hosted theirdivisional rival, theGreen Bay Packers. After a scoreless first quarter, the Lions opened the scoring in the second quarter via a one-yard touchdown pass fromJared Goff toShane Zylstra and a two-point conversion run fromJamaal Williams, which made the score 8–0 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 toAllen Lazard, but were unable to tie the score as the 2-point conversion attempt failed. The Lions extended their lead in the fourth quarter via a three-yard touchdown pass from Goff toJames Mitchell. The Packers scored the final points of the game via a 25-yard field goal byMason Crosby, making the final score 15–9 in favor of Detroit. The Lions' defense forced three interceptions, including two in the endzone. This marked the first game since week 15 of2017 that Rodgers threw three interceptions.[38]
In week 10, the Lions visited theirdivisional rival, theChicago Bears. The Bears opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 33-yard field goal byCairo Santos. The Lions responded with a 25-yard field goal byMichael Badgley to tie the game. The teams exchanged touchdowns in the second quarter, first a two-yard touchdown pass fromJared Goff toBrock Wright for the Lions, then a one-yard touchdown run fromJustin Fields for the Bears, tying the score at 10–10 at half-time. The Bears scored 14 points in the third quarter via two touchdown passes from Fields toCole Kmet from six-yards, and 50-yards, respectively. The Lions scored 21 points in the fourth quarter via a nine-yard touchdown run fromD'Andre Swift, a 20-yard interception return byJeff Okudah and a one-yard touchdown run fromJamaal Williams. The Bears responded with a 67-yard touchdown run from Fields, however they missed the extra point, making the final score 31–30 in favor of Detroit.
In week 11, the Lions visited theNew York Giants. The Lions opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 24-yard field goal byMichael Badgley. The Giants responded with a three-yard touchdown run fromDaniel Jones.John Cominsky blocked the extra point. The Lions scored 14 points in the second quarter via two touchdown runs fromJamaal Williams from four-yards, and one-yard, respectively, which made the score 17–6 in favor of Detroit at half-time. The Lions scored the only points of the third quarter via a one-yard touchdown run from Williams. The Giants scored 12 points in the fourth quarter via a three-yard touchdown run fromMatt Breida and a nine-yard touchdown pass from Jones toRichie James. The Lions extended their lead via a four-yard touchdown run fromD'Andre Swift, making the final score 31–18 in favor of Detroit. The win marked the Lions' first three-game winning streak since2017.[39]
For their annualThanksgiving Day game, the Lions hosted theBuffalo Bills. The Lions opened the scoring in the first quarter via a two-yard touchdown run fromJamaal Williams. The Bills responded with a 19-yard touchdown pass fromJosh Allen toIsaiah McKenzie to tie the game. In the second quarter, the Bills took their first lead of the game via a three-yard touchdown run from Allen. The Lions responded with a one-yard touchdown pass fromJared Goff toAmon-Ra St. Brown. The Bills scored the final points of the half via a 47-yard field goal byTyler Bass, which made the score 17–14 in favor of Buffalo at half-time. The Bills scored the only points of the third quarter after they sacked Goff in the end zone for a safety. The Lions regained the lead in the fourth quarter via a one-yard touchdown pass from Goff toD. J. Chark and a two-point conversion run byD'Andre Swift. The Bills responded with a five-yard touchdown pass from Allen toStefon Diggs. The Lions scored via a 51-yard field goal byMichael Badgley to tie the score with 23 seconds remaining in the game. The Bills responded with a 45-yard field goal by Bass with two seconds remaining in the game, making the final score 28–25 in favor of Buffalo.
In week 13, the Lions hosted theJacksonville Jaguars. The Lions opened the scoring in the first quarter via a one-yard touchdown run fromJamaal Williams. The Jaguars responded with a 31-yard field goal byRiley Patterson. The Lions extended their lead via 10-yard touchdown pass fromJared Goff toAmon-Ra St. Brown. The Lions scored nine points in the second quarter via three field goals byMichael Badgley from 45-yards, 47-yards, and 38-yards, respectively. The Jaguars scored via a 42-yard field goal by Patterson, which made the score 23–6 in favor of Detroit at half-time. The Lions extended their lead in the third quarter via a one-yard touchdown run fromD'Andre Swift. The Jaguars scored their only points of the second half via a three-yard touchdown pass fromTrevor Lawrence toEvan Engram and a two-point conversion pass from Lawrence toJamal Agnew. The Lions scored 10 points in the fourth quarter via a 44-yard field goal by Badgley, and a four-yard touchdown pass from Goff to St. Brown, making the final score 40–14 in favor of Detroit.
In week 14, the Lions hosted theirdivisional rival, theMinnesota Vikings, in a rematch of week 3. The Lions opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 41-yard touchdown pass fromJared Goff toJameson Williams, for his first career NFL reception and first career NFL touchdown. The Vikings responded with a one-yard touchdown run fromDalvin Cook to tie the game. The Lions scored the only points of the second quarter via a 48-yard touchdown pass from Goff toD. J. Chark, which made the score 14–7 in favor of Detroit at half-time. The Lions extended their lead in the third quarter via a five-yard touchdown pass from Goff toJosh Reynolds. The Vikings responded with a 23-yard touchdown pass fromKirk Cousins toAdam Thielen and a failed two-point conversion attempt. The Vikings scored 10 points in the fourth quarter via a 41-yard field goal byGreg Joseph and a 15-yard touchdown pass from Cousins toK. J. Osborn. The Lions scored 13 points in the quarter via a 15-yard touchdown run fromJustin Jackson and two field goals byMichael Badgley, from 41-yards, and 48-yards, respectively, making the final score 34–23 in favor of Detroit. This is the first time since2017 in which the Lions defeated all three of their division rivals at least once in the same season.[40]
In week 15, the Lions visited theNew York Jets for their second game atMetLife Stadium this season. The Lions opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 47-yard punt return touchdown byKalif Raymond. In the second quarter, the Jets responded with a 40-yard touchdown pass fromZach Wilson toC. J. Uzomah to tie the game. The Lions regained the lead via a 31-yard field goal byMichael Badgley. The Jets responded with a 34-yard field goal byGreg Zuerlein as time expired in the half, tying the score at 10–10 at half-time. The Lions scored the only points of the third quarter via a 34-yard field goal by Badgley. In the fourth quarter, the Jets scored via a one-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Uzomah, to take their first lead of the game. The Lions responded with a 51-yard touchdown pass fromJared Goff toBrock Wright, making the final score 20–17 in favor of Detroit. Zuerlein missed a 58-yard field goal wide left that would have sent the game to overtime with one second left.
In week 16, the Lions visited theCarolina Panthers onChristmas Eve. The Panthers opened the scoring in the first quarter via a seven-yard touchdown run fromRaheem Blackshear. The Lions responded with a three-yard touchdown pass fromJared Goff toShane Zylstra to tie the game. The Panthers scored 17 points in the second quarter via a three-yard touchdown run fromSam Darnold, a four-yard touchdown run fromD'Onta Foreman and a 37-yard field goal byEddy Piñeiro, which made the score 24–7 in favor of Carolina at half-time. The teams exchanged touchdowns in the third quarter, first a five-yard touchdown pass from Darnold toD. J. Moore for the Panthers, then a seven-yard touchdown pass from Goff to Zylstra and a failed two-point conversion attempt for the Lions. The Panthers scored six points in the fourth quarter via two field goals by Piñeiro from 40-yards, and 36-yards, respectively. The Lions scored 10 points in the quarter via a one-yard touchdown pass from Goff to Zylstra and a 34-yard field goal byMichael Badgley, making the final score 37–23 in favor of Carolina. The game time temperature of 20 °F (−7 °C) was the coldest ever atBank of America Stadium.[41]
In week 17, the Lions hosted theirdivisional rival, theChicago Bears, in aNew Year's Day rematch of week 10. The Bears opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 13-yard touchdown pass fromJustin Fields toCole Kmet. The Lions responded with a two-yard touchdown pass fromJared Goff toBrock Wright to tie the game. The Bears regained the lead via a 23-yard field goal byCairo Santos. The Lions scored 17 unanswered points in the second quarter via a 17-yard touchdown run fromD'Andre Swift, a nine-yard touchdown pass from Goff to Wright and a 23-yard field goal byMichael Badgley, which made the score 24–10 in favor of Detroit at half-time. The Bears were held scoreless in the second half. The Lions scored 14 points in the third quarter via a two-yard touchdown run fromJamaal Williams and a 21-yard touchdown pass from Goff to Swift. The Lions scored the only points of the fourth quarter via a 41-yard field goal by Badgley, making the final score 41–10 in favor of Detroit. The Lions swept the Bears for the first time since2017.
To finish the season, in week 18, the Lions visited theirdivisional rival, theGreen Bay Packers, in a rematch of week 9. The Packers opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 22-yard field goal byMason Crosby. The Lions responded with a 37-yard field goal byMichael Badgley to tie the game. The Packers regained the lead via a 49-yard field goal by Crosby. The Packers extended their lead in the second quarter via a 48-yard field goal by Crosby. The Lions responded with a 33-yard field goal by Badgley as time expired in the half, which made the score 9–6 in favor of Green Bay at half-time. The Lions took their first lead of the game in the third quarter via a one-yard touchdown run fromJamaal Williams. The Packers responded with a 13-yard touchdown pass fromAaron Rodgers toAllen Lazard to regain the lead. The Lions scored the only points of the fourth quarter via a one-yard touchdown run from Williams, making the final score 20–16 in favor of Detroit. With the Lions win, the Packers were eliminated from playoff contention. (The Lions had already been eliminated from the playoffs based on the Seattle Seahawks win earlier in the day.) With two rushing touchdowns in the game, Williams set the Lions' single-season touchdown record with 17, surpassing the previous record of 16 set byBarry Sanders in1991.[42]
^abSan Francisco claimed the No. 2 seed over Minnesota based on conference record (10–2 vs. 8–4).
^abSeattle finished ahead of Detroit based on head-to-head victory, claiming the 7th and final playoff spot.
^abcCarolina finished ahead of New Orleans and Atlanta based on head-to-head record (3–1 vs. 2–2/1–3).
^abNew Orleans finished ahead of Atlanta based on head-to-head sweep.
^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.
