2005 Detroit Lions season

2005 Detroit Lions season
OwnerWilliam Clay Ford Sr.
General managerMatt Millen
Head coachSteve Mariucci (fired on November 28, 4-7 record)
Dick Jauron (interim, 1-4 record)
Home stadiumFord Field
Results
Record5–11
Division place3rd NFC North
PlayoffsDid not qualify
Pro BowlersDT Shaun Rogers
Uniform

The 2005 season was the Detroit Lions' 76th in the National Football League (NFL), their 72nd as the Detroit Lions, their fourth playing home games at Ford Field, and the third and final under head coach Steve Mariucci. The Lions failed to improve on their 6–10 record from 2004, dropping one more game than last year, and missed the postseason.

Following a Thanksgiving Day loss to the Atlanta Falcons, the Lions fired head coach Steve Mariucci, naming defensive coordinator and former Chicago Bears head coach Dick Jauron as their interim coach. Mariucci compiled a 15–28 record with the Lions.

The team started 3–3 before dropping 2 of their last 10 and finishing 5–11. The team finished bottom-tier in offense and below-average in defense. Defensive tackle Shaun Rogers was the only Lion named to the Pro Bowl, finishing his season with 5.5 sacks, 41 tackles, and 2 forced fumbles including a fumble recovery for a touchdown.

The passing game was headed by both fourth-year starter Joey Harrington and veteran Jeff Garcia, starting 11 and 5 games respectively. Harrington finished with 2,021 passing yards while throwing for 12 interceptions, matching last season's total. The receiving game was led by Roy Williams, while the run game was led by sophomore Kevin Jones.

Offseason

Coaching changes

Offensive coordinator Sherman Lewis retired after a 37-year coaching career.[1] The Lions hired Ted Tollner, the San Francisco 49ers' offensive coordinator during their 2004 season, to be their offensive coordinator. Fred Graves replaced Kevin Higgins as the wide receivers coach.[2] After losing linebackers coach Richard Smith to the Miami Dolphins, the Lions elevated defensive assistant Johnny Holland to his position and hired former Washington defensive coordinator Phil Snow as defensive assistant.[3] In July, president Matt Millen agreed to a five-year contract extension that would put him in Detroit through the 2010 season.[4]

Free agency

On the defensive side of the ball, defensive tackle and two-time Pro-Bowler Shaun Rogers signed a six-year extension with the team.[5] The Lions also re-signed safety Bracy Walker,[6] defensive tackle Marcus Bell,[7] linebackers Wali Rainer and Donté Curry,[8] and cornerbacks Chris Cash[9] and André Goodman.[10] Offensively, the Lions re-signed full-time starter and center Dominic Raiola to a five-year deal.[11] Kick returner and Pro Bowler Eddie Drummond, looking for a multi-year deal, held out for one week before signing a one-year contract.[12] The Lions filled in needs at wide receiver with the signing of Kevin Johnson.[13] On special teams, the Lions re-signed punter Nick Harris.[14]

At quarterback, the Lions signed veteran and three-time Pro Bowlers Jeff Garcia, reuniting him with head coach Steve Mariucci, with whom he played for while Mariucci was coaching the San Francisco 49ers. Two weeks prior, the Cleveland Browns released Garcia after a turbulent season where he went for 1,731 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions while completing 57% of his passes.[15] The Lions also signed safety Kenoy Kennedy, tight end Marcus Pollard,[16] offensive linemen Rick DeMulling[17] and Kyle Kosier,[18] cornerback R. W. McQuarters,[19] and running back Jamel White.[20] The Lions cut wide receiver Az-Zahir Hakim, who posted 31 receptions for 533 yards in 2004. They also cut safety Brock Marion[21] and offensive lineman Matt Joyce.[18]

In May, defensive end Kalimba Edwards was pulled over by a state trooper in Southfield, Michigan. After refusing to produce a driver's license, the trooper ordered Edwards out of the vehicle, to which he complied. After attempting to arrest him, Edwards resisted and was pepper sprayed. In June, Edwards pleaded guilty to two charges and was sentenced to one year probation.[22] Wide receiver David Kircus was arrested on June 25 for a DUI, pleading guilty on July 6 to the misdemeanor. He was ordered to pay $850 in fines and sentenced to one day time served.[23]

In early October, the league suspended Charles Rogers for four games for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. Nearly a month and a half later, the Lions filed a grievance against Rogers, seeking $10.1 million of Rogers' $14.4 million signing bonus alleging he violated his contract.[24] In September 2008, the Lions would win their grievance, with an arbitrator ruling Rogers must pay the Lions $8.5 million.[25]

Draft

Main article: 2005 NFL draft

In the first round, the Lions drafted wide receiver Mike Williams out of USC. With the Lions, he put up 449 yards and 2 touchdowns.[26] Williams was seen as another bust in a three-year stretch of the Lions drafting wide receivers in the first round and lasted just two seasons with the team.[27] Second-round selection, Shaun Cody, played four seasons with the Lions, catching one interception, posting 1.5 sacks, and getting 92 tackles.[28] Third-round pick Stanley Wilson Jr. played 32 games for the Lions, posting 89 tackles and 8 passes defended.[29] Fifth-round selection, Dan Orlovsky, would sit on the bench for a few seasons in Detroit. In the 2008 season, he would play 10 games for the Lions, posting 1,616 yards with 8 touchdowns and interceptions as he went 0–7 in his starts. He would leave the Lions after 2008 before returning in 2014, playing two games total in 2015.[30] Both sixth-round picks, Bill Swancutt and Johnathan Goddard, lasted one season in the league.[31]

2005 Detroit Lions draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 10 Mike Williams  Wide receiver USC
2 37 Shaun Cody  Defensive tackle USC
3 72 Stanley Wilson  Cornerback Stanford
5 145 Dan Orlovsky  Quarterback Connecticut from Arizona via New England
6 184 Bill Swancutt  Defensive end Oregon State
6 206 Johnathan Goddard  Linebacker Marshall
      Made roster    †   Pro Football Hall of Fame    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Staff

2005 Detroit Lions staff

Front office

Head coaches

  • Head coach – Steve Mariucci
  • Interim head coach/defensive coordinator – Dick Jauron
  • Assistant to the head coach – Kevin Lartigue

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

  • Special teams coordinator – Chuck Priefer
  • Assistant special teams – Stan Kwan

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and conditioning – Jason Arapoff
  • Strength and conditioning – Malcolm Blacken
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Mondray Gee

[32]

Roster

2005 Detroit Lions roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams (ST)

Practice squad

Reserve

Rookies in italics
53 active, 12 reserve, 8 practice squad

Preseason

The Lions began their preseason schedule against the New York Jets. The Jets opened the scoring with a 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, with the Lions response being a Jason Hanson 22-yard field goal. The Jets would kick a field goal of their own in a turnover heavy game as the Lions fell 3–10. The two teams combined for five turnovers and ten punts.[33]

Week Date Opponent Result Record Attendance
1 August 12 New York Jets L 3–10 0–1 77,865
2 August 20 at Cleveland Browns L 13–21 0–2 58,371
3 August 29 at St. Louis Rams L 13–37 0–3 58,625
4 September 2 Buffalo Bills W 21–7 1–3 53,713

Regular season

Overview

Joey Harrington (left) and Jeff Garcia (right) fought for the starting quarterback position throughout the season.

The Lions began their season 3–3, tied for first in the NFC North,[34] before finishing 2–8 and ending the season 5–11, missing the playoffs. They suffered their fifth straight losing season and finished third in the North. The offense, headed first by coordinator Ted Tollner and then Greg Olson, finished bottom 6 in both points scored and yards. The passing and running game both finished 26th in yards. Fourth-year quarterback Joey Harrington led the team in passing yards with 2,021 and 12 touchdowns to 12 interceptions, while quarterback Jeff Garcia finished with 937 yards, three touchdowns, and six interceptions. The run game was headed by sophomore Kevin Jones, who rushed for 664 yards and 5 touchdowns. Wide receiver Roy Williams led the team in receiving with 687 yards and 8 touchdowns.[35]

The quarterback situation in Detroit was tumultuous. In March, the Lions signed veteran quarterback Jeff Garcia in the offseason after losing Mike McMahon to the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency. Garcia was seen as an immediate competitor for the starting quarterback role.[36] Garcia was coming off a season where he threw for 1,731 yards and a 10–9 touchdown–interception ratio. In the final game of the preseason, Garcia, filling in for the injured Joey Harrington, suffered a broken fibula after a hit from a defensive player.[37] After finding out he wouldn't need surgery, Garcia's return was slated to be within six to eight weeks. The Lions named Harrington as the starter to begin the season.[38] After Garcia returned to practice in mid-October, Mariucci benched Harrington in favor of Garcia: he led Detroit to a 13–10 victory over the Cleveland Browns.[39][40] However, after just two games, Garcia was benched for Harrington after taking multiple shots in their Week 8 matchup versus the Chicago Bears.[41] He was also sat for the Week 10 and 11 game due to issues with the same leg he broke in the preseason.[42] On the Thanksgiving Day matchup versus the Atlanta Falcons, Harrington was benched in the first half for Garcia after throwing an interception.[43] After Mariucci was fired, cornerback Dré Bly blamed Harrington for the firing of Mariucci, saying that he wouldn't have been fired if Garcia was the full-time starting quarterback. Harrington said of the statement: "I'm not ever going to validate what he said. I'm not going to get into a war of words with Dre'."[44] Bly later apologized to the team.[45] Interim head coach Dick Jauron named Garcia as the starter versus the Vikings.[45] Garcia was benched for Harrington during the Week 15 matchup versus the Bengals, and Harrington was named the starter for the rest of the season.[46]

In June, wide receiver Charles Rogers was cleared for contact after breaking his collarbone in each of the last two seasons.[47] During the first game of the season, veteran kicker Jason Hanson injured his hamstring, leading the Lions to activate kicker Remy Hamilton.[48] Cornerback Fernando Bryant went down in Week 2 with a separated right shoulder, ending his season.[49] The Lions also lost Rogers to a four-game suspension in early October due to a violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy.[50] They lost another wide receiver when, during the Week 5 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Roy Williams went down with a leg injury.[51] Cornerback Dré Bly was out for three to four weeks due to a wrist injury suffered during Week 7.[52] The Lions also lost running back Kevin Jones with a shoulder injury that sat him out of the Week 9 game.[53] In the last four weeks of the season, the Lions put three linebackers on injured reserve: Teddy Lehman,[54] Boss Bailey, and Earl Holmes.[55] They also lost safety Terrence Holt to the injured reserve due to an elbow injury.[56]

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance
1 September 11 Green Bay Packers W 17–3 1–0 Ford Field 61,877
2 September 18 at Chicago Bears L 6–38 1–1 Soldier Field 62,019
3 Bye
4 October 2 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 13–17 1–2 Raymond James Stadium 64,994
5 October 9 Baltimore Ravens W 35–17 2–2 Ford Field 61,201
6 October 16 Carolina Panthers L 20–21 2–3 Ford Field 61,083
7 October 23 at Cleveland Browns W 13–10 3–3 Cleveland Browns Stadium 72,923
8 October 30 Chicago Bears L 13–19 (OT) 3–4 Ford Field 61,814
9 November 6 at Minnesota Vikings L 14–27 3–5 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 63,813
10 November 13 Arizona Cardinals W 29–21 4–5 Ford Field 61,091
11 November 20 at Dallas Cowboys L 7–20 4–6 Texas Stadium 62,670
12 November 24 Atlanta Falcons L 7–27 4–7 Ford Field 62,390
13 December 4 Minnesota Vikings L 16–21 4–8 Ford Field 61,375
14 December 11 at Green Bay Packers L 13–16 (OT) 4–9 Lambeau Field 70,019
15 December 18 Cincinnati Bengals L 17–41 4–10 Ford Field 61,749
16 December 24 at New Orleans Saints W 13–12 5–10 Alamodome 63,747
17 January 1 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 21–35 5–11 Heinz Field 63,794

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Green Bay Packers

Week 1: Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Packers 0 3 003
Lions 7 0 3717

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

  • Date: September 11
  • Game time: 3:15 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 61,877
  • Referee: Jeff Triplette
  • Recap
Game information

In their opening game of the season, the Lions hosted the Green Bay Packers. Both teams punted to begin their opening possessions. The Lions took their second drive 68 yards capped off by a Joey Harrington touchdown pass to Marcus Pollard to take the early 7–0 lead. The Packers responded with a 14-play drive that got them down to Detroit's 4-yard line. After lining up in field goal formation, the Packers ran a fake field goal that failed, ending in a fumble recovery for Detroit. The Lions would turn the ball over on downs in Packer territory. The Packers took their next drive 11 plays and 37 yards capped off by a Ryan Longwell 50-yard field goal. Three punts would end the first half with the Lions up 7–3.[57]

The Packers fumbled their opening possession of the half, which the Lions capitalized on with a Jason Hanson 21-yard field goal. After eight straight punts brought the game into the fourth quarter, Brett Favre threw an interception to Kenoy Kennedy. After a Harrington pass to Charles Rogers went for 31, Harrington found Mike Williams for a 3-yard touchdown pass. The Packers brought their next drive past the two-minute warning where, with 0:30 left, Favre would throw an interception to Terrence Holt, sealing the 17–3 victory for the Lions and their third consecutive season-opener win.[57][58]

Week 2: at Chicago Bears

Week 2: Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Lions 6 0 006
Bears 10 21 0738

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

  • Date: September 18
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Sunny, 76 °F (24 °C)
  • Game attendance: 62,019
  • Referee: Tony Corrente
  • Recap
Game information

In Week 2, the Lions went on the road to face the Chicago Bears. The Lions turned the ball over on the first possession with a Joey Harrington interception. The Bears capitalized with a Thomas Jones rushing touchdown. The Lions immediately answered on their first play from scrimmage with a Harrington 51-yard touchdown pass to Roy Williams. However, with kicker Jason Hanson out due to an injury, back-up kicker Remy Hamilton tried the extra point and missed, leaving the score at 6–7. The Bears turned their next possession into points with a Doug Brien 48-yard field goal. The Lions went three-and-out on their next possession, setting up a Brien 48-yard field goal for the Bears. However, it was missed wide left and kept the score at 6–10 going into the second quarter. After trading punts, the Lions had another three-and-out and punted the ball. Return man Bobby Wade took the ball at Chicago's 27 before running it back 73 yards for the score. The Lions look poised to respond, getting down to Chicago's 12 on the back of three third down conversions. However, on third and 3, Harrington was intercepted by Nathan Vasher. The Bears tacked onto their score with a 28-yard Kyle Orton touchdown pass. On the first play from scrimmage on their next drive, Harrington threw his third interception, this time for a pick-six, which put the score at 31–6 heading into halftime.[59]

Three punts started the game before the Lions turned it over on downs. Heading into the fourth, the Bears tried a 36-yard field goal but missed it wide right. After another Harrington interception put the Bears at the Lions' 38, they scored on a Jones 16-yard run. Harrington threw his fifth interception of the day, and both teams benched their starters as the Lions fell 6–38.[59]

Week 4: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 4: Detroit Lions at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Lions 0 10 0313
Buccaneers 3 7 7017

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

  • Date: October 2
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Partly cloudy, 87 °F (31 °C)
  • Game attendance: 64,994
  • Referee: Gerry Austin
  • Recap
Game information

Following their Week 3 bye, the Lions traveled to Tampa, Florida to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Lions punted on the opening drive. The Buccaneers took their opening drive to Detroit's 24-yard line, kicking a 43-yard field goal to take the early 3–0 lead. After three straight punts, the Lions got the ball after Bucs quarterback Brian Griese was strip-sacked by Kalimba Edwards. They capitalized with a Hanson 44-yard field goal. After two punts, an errant pass by Griese was intercepted by Teddy Lehman. The Lions scored on a Kevin Jones 8-yard run to go up 10–3. On the next drive, the Lions nearly got the ball back again after André Goodman intercepted a Griese pass. However, Goodman was flagged for defensive holding, and the Bucs scored on a Michael Pittman Sr. 41-yard touchdown pass. The two teams traded turnovers to end the first half.[60]

To open the second half, the Bucs scored on a Griese 80-yard deep shot to Joey Galloway to go up 17–10. After a Lions punt, the Bucs missed a 46-yard field goal from Matt Bryant. The Lions once again punted before getting the ball back after Terrence Holt intercepted Griese. The Lions kicked a 23-yard field goal to pull within 4 at 13–17. After a Buccaneers punt, the Lions would attempt a game-winning drive with 5:14 left. After converting a fourth down, the Lions got within Tampa Bay's red zone with 0:20 left. On 2nd and 1 from the 12-yard line, Harrington threw a pass to Marcus Pollard that was caught for an apparent game-winning touchdown. However, replay review determined that Pollard was out of bounds. Two Harrington incomplete passes secured the Lions 13–17 loss.[60][61]

Week 5: vs. Baltimore Ravens

Week 5: Baltimore Ravens at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Ravens 0 10 0717
Lions 14 0 71435

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

  • Date: October 9
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 61,201
  • Referee: Mike Carey
  • Recap
Game information

In Week 5, the Lions hosted the Baltimore Ravens. The Lions received the opening kickoff and immediately punted. However, they would get the ball back after an Anthony Wright interception by Dré Bly. The Lions immediately capitalized and scored on a Kevin Jones 14-yard touchdown run. After forcing the Ravens to punt, the Lions scored again on another Jones run, this time from a yard out, to take the 14–0 lead. The Ravens turned the ball over once again when Ovie Mughelli fumbled on a pass reception which was recovered by Cory Redding. The Lions took their next drive into the second quarter and into Ravens territory, but would turn the ball over on a Harrington interception. The Ravens would give the ball right back on an interception of their own, but the Lions failed to start a drive and punted. The Ravens scored on their next drive with a Wright touchdown pass to Jamal Lewis. The Lions attempt to respond ended with a Harrington interception in Baltimore territory. After two punts, the Ravens kicked a 46-yard field goal as time expired to close the lead at 14–10 heading into the half.[62]

The Ravens moved into Lions territory, and made it down to the 33-yard line, but punted on 4th and 12. The Lions would construct an 18 play, 73 yard drive ending with an Artose Pinner 1-yard rushing touchdown. The Ravens punted on their next drive, and Lions' return man R. W. McQuarters returned the punt 49 yards to Baltimore's 9. The Lions would score in 2 plays with a Harrington pass to Casey FitzSimmons. The Ravens responded with a long touchdown drive of their own, capped off by a Wright 6-yard pass to Todd Heap. On the following drive, Shawn Bryson took the third snap of the drive 77 yards on a touchdown run, extending the Lions lead to 35–17. The Ravens fumbled on their next drive, followed by a Lions punt, then ending the game with a turnover on downs to secure the second win of the season for the Lions.[62]

Week 6: vs. Carolina Panthers

Week 6: Carolina Panthers vs. Detroit Lions – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Panthers 7 7 0721
Lions 0 14 3320

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

  • Date: October 16
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 61,083
  • Referee: Larry Nemmers
  • Recap
Game information

Week 7: at Cleveland Browns

Week 7: Detroit Lions at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Lions 0 7 3313
Browns 3 7 0010

at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: October 23
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Mostly cloudy, 47 °F (8 °C)
  • Game attendance: 72,923
  • Referee: Walt Coleman
  • Recap
Game information

Week 8: vs. Chicago Bears

Week 8: Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34OTTotal
Bears 0 13 00619
Lions 3 0 73013

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

  • Date: October 30
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 61,814
  • Referee: Bill Carollo
  • Recap
Game information

Week 9: at Minnesota Vikings

Week 9: Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Lions 0 7 0714
Vikings 3 21 0327

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: November 6
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 63,813
  • Referee: Bill Vinovich
  • Recap
Game information

Week 10: vs. Arizona Cardinals

Week 10: Arizona Cardinals vs. Detroit Lions – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 0 3 81021
Lions 9 10 7329

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

  • Date: November 13
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/11:00 a.m. MST
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 61,091
  • Referee: Scott Green
  • Recap
Game information

Week 11: at Dallas Cowboys

Week 11: Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Lions 0 7 007
Cowboys 7 6 7020

at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas

  • Date: November 20
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C)
  • Game attendance: 62,670
  • Referee: Ed Hochuli
  • Recap
Game information

Week 12: vs. Atlanta Falcons

Week 12: Atlanta Falcons vs. Detroit Lions – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Falcons 10 7 10027
Lions 0 0 077

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

  • Date: November 24
  • Game time: 12:40 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 62,390
  • Referee: Peter Morelli
  • Recap
Game information

Week 13: vs. Minnesota Vikings

Week 13: Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Vikings 7 7 7021
Lions 3 3 3716

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

  • Date: December 4
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 61,375
  • Referee: Tom White
  • Recap
Game information

Week 14: at Green Bay Packers

Week 14: Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34OTTotal
Lions 13 0 00013
Packers 3 7 03316

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

  • Date: December 11
  • Game time: 8:40 p.m. EST/7:40 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Partly cloudy, 14 °F (−10 °C)
  • Game attendance: 70,019
  • Referee: Mike Carey
  • Recap
Game information

Week 15: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Week 15: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Detroit Lions – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bengals 17 7 71041
Lions 0 7 3717

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

  • Date: December 18
  • Game time: 4:05 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 61,749
  • Referee: Walt Anderson
  • Recap
Game information

Week 16: at New Orleans Saints

Week 16: Detroit Lions at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Lions 0 7 0613
Saints 0 3 6312

at Alamo Dome, San Antonio, Texas

  • Date: December 24
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 63,747
  • Referee: Larry Nemmers
  • Recap
Game information

Week 17: at Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 17: Detroit Lions at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Lions 14 0 7021
Steelers 14 7 14035

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: January 1
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 39 °F (4 °C)
  • Game attendance: 63,794
  • Referee: Walt Coleman
  • Recap
Game information

Standings

Division

NFC North
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(2) Chicago Bears 11 5 0 .688 5–1 10–2 260 202 L1
Minnesota Vikings 9 7 0 .563 5–1 8–4 306 344 W1
Detroit Lions 5 11 0 .313 1–5 3–9 254 345 L1
Green Bay Packers 4 12 0 .250 1–5 4–8 298 344 W1

Conference

NFC[63]
# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division leaders
1 Seattle Seahawks West 13 3 0 .813 6–0 10–2 .430 .404 L1
2[a] Chicago Bears North 11 5 0 .688 5–1 10–2 .457 .398 L1
3[a][b][c] Tampa Bay Buccaneers South 11 5 0 .688 5–1 9–3 .449 .426 W2
4[a][c] New York Giants East 11 5 0 .688 4–2 8–4 .492 .432 W1
Wild cards
5[a][b] Carolina Panthers South 11 5 0 .688 4–2 8–4 .449 .409 W1
6 Washington Redskins East 10 6 0 .625 5–1 10–2 .539 .500 W5
Did not qualify for the postseason
7[d] Minnesota Vikings North 9 7 0 .563 5–1 8–4 .484 .382 W1
8[d] Dallas Cowboys East 9 7 0 .563 3–3 7–5 .523 .465 L1
9 Atlanta Falcons South 8 8 0 .500 2–4 5–7 .492 .344 L3
10[e] Philadelphia Eagles East 6 10 0 .375 0–6 3–9 .531 .385 L2
11[e] St. Louis Rams West 6 10 0 .375 1–5 3–9 .484 .365 W1
12[f] Detroit Lions North 5 11 0 .313 1–5 3–9 .504 .300 L1
13[f] Arizona Cardinals West 5 11 0 .313 3–3 4–8 .508 .300 L1
14[g] Green Bay Packers North 4 12 0 .250 1–5 4–8 .531 .453 W1
15[g] San Francisco 49ers West 4 12 0 .250 2–4 3–9 .539 .391 W2
16 New Orleans Saints South 3 13 0 .188 1–5 1–11 .523 .417 L5
Tiebreakers[h]
  1. ^ a b c d Chicago clinched the #2 seed over Tampa Bay and NY Giants based on conference record. Division tie break was initially used to eliminate Carolina (see below).
  2. ^ a b Tampa Bay clinched the NFC South over Carolina based on division record.
  3. ^ a b Tampa Bay finished ahead of NY Giants based on conference record, claiming the #3 seed.
  4. ^ a b Minnesota finished ahead of Dallas based on conference record.
  5. ^ a b Philadelphia finished ahead of St. Louis based on head-to-head victory.
  6. ^ a b Detroit finished ahead of Arizona based on head-to-head victory.
  7. ^ a b Green Bay finished ahead of San Francisco based on conference record.
  8. ^ 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.


References

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  4. ^ "NFL.com - Detroit Lions Team News". www.nfl.com. Archived from the original on March 21, 2007. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  5. ^ "NFL.com - Detroit Lions Team News". www.nfl.com. Archived from the original on March 21, 2007. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  6. ^ "NFL.com - Detroit Lions Team News". www.nfl.com. Archived from the original on March 21, 2007. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
  7. ^ "NFL.com - Detroit Lions Team News". www.nfl.com. Archived from the original on March 21, 2007. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  8. ^ "NFL.com - Detroit Lions Team News". www.nfl.com. Archived from the original on March 21, 2007. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  9. ^ "NFL.com - Detroit Lions Team News". www.nfl.com. Archived from the original on March 21, 2007. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  10. ^ "NFL.com - Detroit Lions Team News". www.nfl.com. Archived from the original on March 21, 2007. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
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