Continuation of The Detroit Lions article
that was posted on April 1, 2025
2008: 0 – 16
Hoping to rebound from the disappointing finish to the 2007 season, things appeared to be looking up for the Lions heading into the 2008 season as they went 4 – 0 during the preseason(194). Once the regular season started, however, they would hit rock bottom. After starting 0 – 3, Matt Millen was fired as team president and CEO(195). Over seven seasons under his leadership as team president, the Lions owned the NFL’s worst winning percentage (31 – 84, .270), never had a winning season, never finished higher than third place in the NFC North, and did not play in any postseason games(195)(196). Tom Lewand was appointed team president, while assistant general manager Martin Mayhew was promoted to general manager. (195)
The Lions never recovered as they finished 0 – 16, becoming the first team in NFL history to go winless in a 16–game season(197). This was later matched by the 2017 Cleveland Browns(198). The Lions were the first team to go winless since the 1982 Baltimore Colts went 0 – 8 – 1 in the strike-shortened season and the first in a non-strike season since the 1976 expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers(199). The Lions’ 16 straight losses in 2008 also broke the record for the most consecutive losses in a single season, previously held by the 2001 Carolina Panthers, who lost 15 consecutive games after winning their opener(197)(200). Following the season, Rod Marinelli was fired as head coach. (201)-
Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson era
(2009 – 2015)
2009
On January 15th, 2009, the Lions hired Jim Schwartz as head coach(202). Schwartz spent ten seasons with the Tennessee Titans, eight of them as defensive coordinator(203). The Lions also hired a new defensive coordinator (Gunther Cunningham) and a new offensive coordinator (Scott Linehan)(204)205). In April, they adopted a new logo, a more fierce version of their previous logo. (206)(207).
The Lions selected Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford with the first overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft. They agreed on a six-year, $72 million contract, with $41.7 million in guaranteed money. (208)
In the first two games of 2009, the Lions lost to the New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings(209)(210). On September 27th, 2009, the team broke their 19-game losing streak with a 19 – 14 win at Ford Field against the Washington Redskins(211)(212). Losses resumed after that, which included handing the winless St. Louis Rams their only victory of the season(213)(214). The Lions’ only other win of the season was against the Cleveland Browns, a surprise 38 – 37 thriller that saw Matthew Stafford throw the game-winning touchdown pass as time expired(215). The Lions then hosted the Green Bay Packers in their annual Thanksgiving games and lost 34 – 12(216). The Lions ultimately finished the season at 2 – 14. (217)
2010
In the 2010 NFL draft, the Lions used the second overall pick to select Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh(218). The Lions began their 2010 season in Chicago. Despite having the lead for most of the game, the Lions suffered a heartbreaking 19 – 14 loss to the Chicago Bears when an apparent go-ahead touchdown catch by Calvin Johnson was ruled incomplete in an extremely controversial decision(219). Week 2 saw the Lions lose in a close game to the Philadelphia Eagles(220). After this, they headed to Minnesota to take on the struggling Minnesota Vikings. However, they were once again denied a victory, as they lost 24 – 10. (221)
Following this, the Lions came close to securing their first win in Wisconsin since 1991 but ultimately lost 28 – 26(222). The Lions finally gained their first victory of the season when the St. Louis Rams returned to Ford Field in week 5 and lost 44 – 6(223). Following a loss to the New York Giants, the Lions defeated the Washington Redskins for their second straight victory over that team(224)(225). Then came five losses in a row, including a Thanksgiving Day match with the New England Patriots where the Lions blew an early lead to lose 45 – 24. (226)
However, week 14 brought a considerable turn of events when the Packers arrived in Detroit and Aaron Rodgers was taken out with a concussion in the second quarter. Matt Flynn failed to score any touchdowns, and the Lions won their first divisional game since 2007(227). After this, the team suddenly entered a late-season hot streak. They ended an NFL record 26–game road losing streak by beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23 – 20 in overtime(228). Another road victory followed when the Lions knocked off the Miami Dolphins in week 16(229). They returned home to beat the Vikings 20 – 13 to end the 2010 season 6 – 10. (230)
2011
In the 2011 NFL draft, the Lions bolstered their defense when they selected Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley(231). The Lions opened the 2011 season with a 27 – 20 road win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers(232). In week 2, the Lions played their first home game against the Kansas City Chiefs. They torched the Chiefs 48 – 3 to set a franchise record for both the largest margin of victory and the most points scored in a regular season game(233). The team continued to improve in week 3 as they climbed back from a 20–point deficit to win 26 - 23 in overtime to beat the Minnesota Vikings in Minnesota for the first time since 1997. This game marked the Lions’ first 3 – 0 start since 1980(234). The next week they defeated the Dallas Cowboys in a come-from-behind 34 – 30 win, moving to 4 – 0.(235)
In week 5, the Lions hosted the Chicago Bears in their first appearance on Monday Night Football since 2001(236). In front of a record-setting crowd at Ford Field, the Lions defeated the Bears 24 – 13 to begin the season 5 – 0 for the first time since 1956. (237)
The Lions took their first loss after being beaten by the San Francisco 49ers 25 – 19, but the game was more notable for Jim Schwartz getting into an altercation with 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh afterward (238). The NFL decided to not punish either coach for the scuffle after deliberating on the matter(239). A second straight home loss followed as the Lions fell to the Atlanta Falcons 23 – 16(240). The following week, the Lions defeated the Denver Broncos on the road 45 – 10. The game included a 100–yard interception return for a touchdown by Chris Houston(241). In week 10, the Lions failed to carry out a season sweep of the Bears as they lost 37 – 13. (242)
On Thanksgiving, the Lions hosted the defending Super Bowl champions Green Bay Packers. The Packers won 27 – 15(243). Ndamukong Suh was ejected from the game after stomping on the arm of Packers offensive lineman Evan Dietrich-Smith, which enhanced his reputation as a dirty player(244). This earned him a two-game suspension as the Lions headed to New Orleans to take on the Saints in week 13(245). The game against the Saints was flexed into Sunday Night Football(246). The Saints defeated the Lions 31 – 17(247). Heading back home, the Lions edged past the struggling Vikings 34 – 28(248). The next week, the Lions went to Oakland to take on the Raiders. At the end of a close game, Matthew Stafford drove the team downfield and threw a go-ahead touchdown pass to Calvin Johnson. After the Raiders got the ball back, they attempted to kick a game-winning field goal, but Suh blocked the attempt to secure a 28 – 27 win for the Lions(249). In week 16, the Lions defeated the San Diego Chargers at home 38 – 10. With the win, the Lions clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 1999(250). With only seeding still in question, they went to Green Bay to take on the Packers. Matt Flynn threw six touchdown passes, which was good enough to help the Packers defeat the Lions 45 – 41. As such, the Lions were relegated to facing the Saints on the road as the #6 seed with a 10 – 6 record(251). In the wild-card round, the Saints defeated the Lions 45 – 28. (252).
2012 – 2015
The 2012 season saw the Lions try to improve over their impressive 2011 season. They started at 4 – 4, then lost their last eight games to finish 4 – 12(253). Following the season, long-time kicker Jason Hanson retired. (254)
The 2013 season saw the team improve. By week 10, following their first series sweep of the Chicago Bears since 2007, the team was in first place in the NFC North(255). However, the Lions went on to lose their next two games. In week 13, the team won their first Thanksgiving game since 2003 in a 40 – 10 decimation of the Green Bay Packers(256). The Lion then lost their final four games of the season to finish 7 - 9(257)(258). This resulted in the firing of head coach Jim Schwartz on December 30th. (259)
On March 9th, 2014, long-time owner William Clay Ford Sr. died at the age of 88(261). On March 10th, it was announced that controlling interest in the franchise would be passed down to Ford’s widow, Martha. (262)
During the 2014 season, the influence of Jim Caldwell improved the Lions dramatically from the previous two seasons. Touting the league’s second-best defense, the Lions posted an 11 – 5 record and qualified for the playoffs(263)(264). However, the Lions suffered a controversial 24 – 20 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in the wild-card round.(265)(266)
On November 5, 2015, the Lions fired general manager Martin Mayhew and team president Tom Lewand, following a 1 – 7 start to the season. During Mayhew’s tenure as general manager, the Lions were 41 – 63, and made the playoffs twice, losing both times in the wild-card round(267). On November 19th, the Lions hired Rod Wood as team president(268). The Lions played better down the stretch to finish with a 7 – 9 record(269). The season marked the end of an era as Calvin Johnson retired after the season. (270)
Bob Quinn era (2016 – 2020)
2016
On January 8th, 2016, the Lions hired former New England Patriots executive Bob Quinn as general manager(271). During the season, the Lions put together an NFL record eight fourth-quarter comeback wins to set themselves up for a division title at 9 – 4(272). However, during a week 14 win over the Chicago Bears, Matthew Stafford suffered an injury to the middle finger of his throwing hand(273). The injury derailed the season as the Lions finished 9 – 7, which was still good enough to make the playoffs as a wild card(274)(275)(276). In the wild-card round, they were defeated by the Seattle Seahawks 26 – 6. (277)
2017
The Lions started the season with a 2 – 0 record. However, in week 3, they suffered a controversial 30 – 26 loss at home to the Atlanta Falcons(278). This was followed up by them losing three of their next four games(279). The Lions bounced back by winning five of their next seven games to put themselves in the playoff race(280). In week 16, the Lions went on the road to face the struggling Cincinnati Bengals. However, they lost the game 26 – 17, which eliminated them from playoff contention(281). In the final week of the season, the Lions defeated the Green Bay Packers 35 – 11 to finish 9 – 7(282). Jim Caldwell was fired as head coach the day after the season ended. (283)
2018
On February 5th, 2018, the Lions hired former New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia as head coach(284). A glaring need for the franchise over the past few years had been running back. To finally fix the issue, they signed LeGarrette Blount from the Philadelphia Eagles and drafted Auburn running back Kerryon Johnson in the 2018 NFL draft(285)(286). After losing the first two games of the season, the Lions would surprisingly defeat the Patriots 26 – 10 on Sunday Night Football(287). On October 24th, the Lions acquired defensive tackle Damon Harrison from the New York Giants(288). After days after losing to the Seattle Seahawks, they traded Golden Tate to the Eagles(289)(290). The Lions struggled for the rest of the season as they posted a 6 – 10 record, finishing last in the NFC North(291). Following the season, Jim Bob Cooter was fired as offensive coordinator. (292)
2019
On January 16th, 2019, the Lions hired Darrell Bevell as offensive coordinator(293). They then released safety Glover Quin, T.J. Lang, and cornerback Nevin Lawson(294)(295)(296). They signed ex-Patriots Justin Coleman and Trey Flowers(297)(298)(299). The team also signed tight end Jesse James from the Pittsburgh Steelers(300). In the 2019 draft, they selected Iowa tight end T.J. Hockenson with the eighth overall pick(301). The Lions started the season 2 – 0 – 1. However, a series of devastating injuries and close losses broke the team, resulting in a 1 – 12 run the rest of the way, which included a stretch where they lost their last nine games to finish 3 – 12 – 1. (302)
2020
On June 23rd, 2020, majority owner and chairperson Martha Firestone Ford stepped down. She was succeeded by her daughter Sheila Ford Hamp(303). On November 28th, 2020, general manager Bob Quinn along with head coach Matt Patricia were fired by the Lions following a 4 – 7 start to the season; Patricia’s overall record with the team was 13 – 29 – 1(304). Patricia was succeeded by the Lions’ offensive coordinator, Darrell Bevell, who served as interim head coach for the remainder of the season(305). The Lions ultimately finished the season with a 5 – 11 record. (306)
Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell era
(2021 – Present)
2021
On January 14th, 2021, the Lions hired Brad Holmes as executive vice president and general manager(307). With Matt Patricia being fired, the Lions were on a search for their new head coach. Candidates included San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, New Orleans Saints assistant head coach Dan Campbell, former Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Todd Bowles(308). On January 15th, 2021, it was reported that Campbell was a front–runner for the job. However, because the Saints were in the NFL playoffs, the Lions could not interview him(309). When the Saints lost to the Buccaneers, it was reported that the Lions intended to hire Campbell(310). On January 20th, Campbell and the Lions agreed to a six-year deal to become the next Lions head coach.(311)
The biggest offseason move was made on March 18th, 2021, when the Lions traded longtime quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for quarterback Jared Goff, a third-round pick in the 2021 draft, and first-round picks in the 2022 and 2023 drafts(312). The Lions would get fortunate in the draft, managing to select offensive tackle Penei Sewell seventh overall and acquiring Amon-Ra St. Brown in the fourth round(313). Despite the promising rookie seasons from the pair, the Lions finished the season at 3 – 13 – 1. (314)
2022
2022 proved to be a major breakout year for the Lions. In the draft, the Lions acquired multiple pieces of their core, including defensive ends Aidan Hutchinson and Josh Paschal, wide receiver Jameson Willimas, cornerback Kerby Joseph, and linebackers James Houston and Malcolm Rodriguez(315). While the team started the season at 1 – 6, they finished strong winning eight of their last ten games to go 9 – 8, their first winning season since 2017(316). However, thanks to the Seattle Seahawks beating the Los Angeles Rams 19 – 16 in overtime in week 18, the team missed the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season(317). A notable occurrence during the year came when Jamaal Williams broke Barry Sanders’ single-season touchdown record when he scored his 17th of the year against the Green Bay Packers. (318)
2023
The Lions opened the season with a victory over the reigning Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs(319). The win set the tone for the rest of the season, as the Lions finished 12 – 5, tying a franchise record for wins, and they won their first division title since 1993 and first since the NFC North was formed in 2002(320)(321). As a result, they hosted their first playoff game since 1993, which was against former quarterback Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams(322)(323). The Lions won the game 24 – 23, securing their first playoff win since 1991(324). In the divisional round, the Lions were able to host a second playoff game, a first for the franchise, as the Green Bay Packers eliminated the second-seeded Dallas Cowboys in the first round(325)(326). The Lions played the NFC South champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers and won 31 – 23 to advance to their first NFC Championship Game since 1991(327). In the NFC Championship Game, the Lions won to the San Francisco 49ers 34 – 31, despite holding a 24 – 7 lead at halftime. (328)
2024
Despite being decimated by injuries,(329)(330) the Lions finished the 2024 season with the best record in franchise history at 15 – 2. As a result, they secured their second consecutive NFC North title, the No. 1 seed in the NFC for the first time, and a first-round bye for the team since 1991(331). This included a franchise record eleven consecutive victories(332). In the Divisional Round, the Lions were defeated by the Washington Commanders 45 – 31. (333)
The Detroit Lions Part 3 will be
posted on April 8, 2025
