2016 Detroit Lions season

Last updated

2016 Detroit Lions season
Owner Martha Firestone Ford
General manager Bob Quinn
Head coach Jim Caldwell
Home field Ford Field
Local radio Detroit Lions Radio Network
Results
Record9–7
Division place2nd NFC North
Playoff finishLost Wild Card Playoffs
(at Seahawks) 6–26
Pro Bowlers Matt Prater, K

The 2016 Detroit Lions season was the franchise's 87th season in the National Football League (NFL), their 83rd as the Detroit Lions, and their third under head coach Jim Caldwell. This was the first time since 2006 when Calvin Johnson was not on the opening day roster. On January 8, 2016, the Lions hired Bob Quinn as general manager. [1] This was also the first season in over 40 years in which the Lions had an official cheerleading squad. [2] The Lions improved upon their 7–9 record from 2015, and clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2014—the Lions finished tied with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the last NFC playoff spot, but won the tiebreaker based on their record against common opponents. However, the Lions were defeated by the Seattle Seahawks in the Wild Card Round and extended their playoff losing streak to nine games, making it the longest losing streak in the playoffs ever. The Lions would not return to the playoffs again until 2023, where they would snap that postseason losing streak.

Contents

Offseason

Re-signings

DatePlayerPositionContractSource
March 4 Tyrunn Walker Defensive tackle 1 year / $1.6 million [3]
March 9 Haloti Ngata Defensive tackle 2 years / $12 million [4]
March 11 Crezdon Butler Cornerback 1 year / $745,000 [5]
Don Muhlbach Long snapper 1 year / $1.05 million [6]
Dan Orlovsky Quarterback 1 year / $1.065 million [7]
Tahir Whitehead Linebacker 2 years / $8 million [8]
March 16 Tim Wright Tight end 1 year / $675,000 [9]
October 25 Josh Bynes Linebacker 1 year / $760,000 [10]

Arrivals

DatePlayerPositionPrevious teamContractSource
February 11 Jerry Franklin Linebacker New Orleans Saints 1 year / $675,000 [11]
February 12 Lamar Holmes Offensive tackle Atlanta Falcons 1 year / $760,000 [12]
March 10 Tavon Wilson Safety New England Patriots 2 years / $2.2 million [13]
March 11 Johnson Bademosi Cornerback Cleveland Browns 2 years / $4.5 million [14]
Stefan Charles Defensive tackle Buffalo Bills 1 year / $1.75 million [15]
Marvin Jones Wide receiver Cincinnati Bengals 5 years / $40 million [16]
March 12 Rafael Bush Safety New Orleans Saints 1 year / $1.5 million [17]
March 21 Jeremy Kerley Wide receiver New York Jets 1 year / $850,000 [18]
March 29 Darrin Walls Cornerback New York Jets 1 year / $840,000 [19]
March 30 Geoff Schwartz Guard New York Giants 1 year / $840,000 [20]
April 4 Wallace Gilberry Defensive end Cincinnati Bengals 1 year / $1.25 million [21]
Matthew Mulligan Tight end Buffalo Bills 1 year / $885,000
April 5 Stevan Ridley Running back New York Jets 1 year / $840,000 [22]
April 25 Kyle Christy Punter Florida 1 year / – [23]
May 2 Zaviar Gooden Linebacker Tennessee Titans 1 year / $600,000 [24]
May 5 Andre Caldwell Wide receiver Denver Broncos 1 year / $885,000 [25]
May 6 Adairius Barnes Cornerback Louisiana Tech [26]
Jace Billingsley Wide receiver Eastern Oregon
Quinshad Davis Wide receiver North Carolina
James DeLoach Defensive end Georgia
Chase Farris Guard Ohio State
Adam Fuehne Tight end Southern Illinois
Deonte Gibson Defensive end Northwestern
Jay Lee Wide receiver Baylor
Charles Washington Defensive back Fresno State
Ian Wells Cornerback Ohio
Cole Wick Tight end Incarnate Word
Andrew Zeller Guard Maryland
Joe Dahl Guard Washington State 4 years / $2.58 million [27]
Taylor Decker Tackle Ohio State 4 years / $10.96 million
Graham Glasgow Center Michigan 4 years / $3.032 million
Miles Killebrew Safety Southern Utah 4 years / $2.918 million
Jimmy Landes Long snapper Baylor 4 years / $2.44 million
Jake Rudock Quarterback Michigan 4 years / $2.47 million
Dwayne Washington Running back Washington 4 years / $2.415 million
Antwione Williams Linebacker Georgia Southern 4 years / $2.54 million
Anthony Zettel Defensive tackle Penn State 4 years / $2.46 million
May 10 A'Shawn Robinson Defensive tackle Alabama 4 years / $5.233 million [28]
May 13 Louis Palmer Defensive end Central Michigan 3 years / $1.62 million [29]
May 31 Ben McCord Tight end Central Michigan 1 year / $450,000 [30]
June 1 Dominick Jackson Offensive lineman Alabama 1 year / – [31]
June 2Devon Bell Placekicker Mississippi State 1 year / $450,000 [32]
June 7 Damian Copeland Wide receiver Jacksonville Jaguars 1 year / $450,000 [33]
June 13 Keith Lewis Defensive back Kansas City Chiefs 1 year / $450,000 [34]
Andre Roberts Wide receiver Washington Redskins 1 year / $760,000
June 16 Orson Charles Tight end New Orleans Saints 1 year / $600,000 [35]
July 21 Luke Marquardt Tackle New York Jets 1 year / $450,000 [36]
July 28 Anquan Boldin Wide receiver San Francisco 49ers 1 year / $2.75 million [37]
August 1 Raphael Kirby Linebacker Miami 1 year / – [38]
August 5 Chi Chi Ariguzo Linebacker San Diego Chargers 1 year / $475,000 [39]
August 8 Alex Chisum Wide receiver Cincinnati 1 year / – [40]
August 10 Rashaad Reynolds Cornerback Jacksonville Jaguars 1 year / – [41]
August 15 Andrew Quarless Tight end Green Bay Packers 1 year / $760,000 [42]
Dominique Tovell Linebacker Atlanta Falcons 3 years / $1.62 million
August 17 Lemuel Jeanpierre Center Seattle Seahawks 1 year / $760,000 [43]
August 23 Brandon McGee Cornerback Dallas Cowboys 1 year / – [44]
September 21 Aaron Dobson Wide receiver New England Patriots 1 year / – [45]
October 11 Justin Forsett Running back Baltimore Ravens 1 year / $885,000 [46]
December 6 Joique Bell Running back Chicago Bears [47]
December 6 Asa Jackson Cornerback Baltimore Ravens [47]

Departures

DatePlayerPositionNoteNew TeamSource
February 16 Joique Bell Running back Released Chicago Bears [48]
Rashean Mathis Cornerback Retired— [49]
February 19 C. J. Wilson Defensive tackle ReleasedNew Orleans Saints [50]
March 8 Calvin Johnson Wide receiver Retired— [51]
May 5 Darren Keyton Center Released [52]
May 13 Lamar Holmes Offensive tackle Released [53]
July 5 Stephen Tulloch Linebacker Released Philadelphia Eagles [54]
August 22 Andre Caldwell Wide receiver Released [55]
August 25 Stevan Ridley Running back Released Indianapolis Colts [56]

Trades

Draft

2016 Detroit Lions draft
RoundPickPlayerPositionCollegeNotes
116 Taylor Decker   OT Ohio State
246 A'Shawn Robinson   DT Alabama
395 Graham Glasgow   C Michigan Compensatory
4111 Miles Killebrew   S Southern Utah
5151 Joe Dahl   OG Washington State
5169 Antwione Williams   LB Georgia Southern Pick from DEN
6191 Jake Rudock   QB Michigan
6202 Anthony Zettel  DT Penn State Pick from SEA
6210 Jimmy Landes   LS Baylor Compensatory
7236 Dwayne Washington   RB Washington
      Made roster    †    Pro Football Hall of Fame     *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Notes

Final roster

2016 Detroit Lions final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
53 active, 11 inactive, 10 practice squad

Schedule

Preseason

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueRecap
1August 12at Pittsburgh Steelers W 30–171–0 Heinz Field Recap
2August 18 Cincinnati Bengals L 14–301–1 Ford Field Recap
3August 27at Baltimore Ravens L 9–301–2 M&T Bank Stadium Recap
4September 1 Buffalo Bills W 31–02–2Ford Field Recap

Regular season

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueRecap
1September 11at Indianapolis Colts W 39–351–0 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
2September 18 Tennessee Titans L 15–161–1 Ford Field Recap
3September 25at Green Bay Packers L 27–341–2 Lambeau Field Recap
4October 2at Chicago Bears L 14–171–3 Soldier Field Recap
5October 9 Philadelphia Eagles W 24–232–3Ford Field Recap
6October 16 Los Angeles Rams W 31–283–3Ford Field Recap
7October 23 Washington Redskins W 20–174–3Ford Field Recap
8October 30at Houston Texans L 13–204–4 NRG Stadium Recap
9November 6at Minnesota Vikings W 22–16 (OT)5–4 U.S. Bank Stadium Recap
10 Bye
11November 20 Jacksonville Jaguars W 26–196–4Ford Field Recap
12 November 24 Minnesota Vikings W 16–137–4Ford Field Recap
13December 4at New Orleans Saints W 28–138–4 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap
14December 11 Chicago Bears W 20–179–4Ford Field Recap
15December 18at New York Giants L 6–179–5 MetLife Stadium Recap
16December 26at Dallas Cowboys L 21–429–6 AT&T Stadium Recap
17January 1 Green Bay Packers L 24–319–7Ford Field Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Postseason

RoundDateOpponent (seed)ResultRecordVenueRecap
Wild CardJanuary 7, 2017at Seattle Seahawks (3)L 6–260–1 CenturyLink Field Recap

Game summaries

Regular season

Week 1: at Indianapolis Colts

Week One: Detroit Lions at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period1234Total
Lions71471139
Colts01081735

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

Game information

The Lions opened the regular season on the road against the Indianapolis Colts, and came away with a close victory. The Lions jumped out to a 14–0 lead before Indianapolis got on the board. Theo Riddick had a 21-yard touchdown run on the Lions' opening drive, and rookie running back Dwayne Washington scored on a 1-yard run early in the second quarter. The Colts got on the board with a 50-yard Adam Vinatieri field goal, but the Lions went up 21–3 on its next possession when Matthew Stafford hit Eric Ebron for a six-yard touchdown pass. Indianapolis closed to 21–10 near the end of the first half after Andrew Luck tossed a two-yard touchdown pass to Donte Moncrief. The Colts got within a field goal early in the third quarter with a 19-yard scoring strike from Luck to Dwayne Allen and a successful 2-point conversion. On Detroit's next drive, Stafford connected with Ameer Abdullah on an 11-yard touchdown pass to put his team back up, 28–18. The Colts scored the next ten points early in the fourth quarter on a 40-yard Vinatieri field goal and a 16-yard scoring pass from Luck to Jack Doyle, knotting the game at 28. The Lions regained the lead on a 13-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to Riddick, but Matt Prater missed the extra point. That allowed Indianapolis to take a 35–34 lead on its next possession, when Luck again connected with Doyle, this time on a six-yard touchdown pass. Detroit got the ball back with 37 seconds left in the game, and on three plays moved into range for Matt Prater's go-ahead 43-yard field goal with four seconds on the clock. The Lions earned a safety on the final play of the game when the Colts were called for an illegal forward pass in the end zone, making the final score 39–35. This was the first time the Lions defeated the Colts since 1997.

Week 2: vs. Tennessee Titans

Week Two: Tennessee Titans at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Period1234Total
Titans0301316
Lions933015

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

Game information

For their home opener, the Lions hosted the Tennessee Titans. The Lions had led for most of the game, accumulating 12 points in the first half with an end zone tackle of DeMarco Murray by Devin Taylor for a safety, a 24-yard touchdown catch by Anquan Boldin from Matthew Stafford, and a 42-yard Matt Prater field goal, while holding the Titans to only a 46-yard field goal by Ryan Succop before the break. Detroit lost steam after intermission and only managed to score a single 27-yard Prater field goal in the third quarter. After Tennessee gained a 16–15 lead late in the fourth quarter on touchdown passes from Marcus Mariota to Delanie Walker and Andre Johnson, from 30 and nine-yards respectively, an attempted Detroit comeback failed when Matthew Stafford was picked off by Perrish Cox in the closing seconds, giving the Lions their first loss of the season. The game was marred by 29 penalties, 17 on the Lions. Detroit had three touchdowns (two on the same drive) called back due to penalties. [63]

Week 3: at Green Bay Packers

Week Three: Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
Period1234Total
Lions3771027
Packers14173034

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Game information

The Lions traveled west in week 3 to play their division rival the Green Bay Packers. The Packers got on the board first with a 14-yard touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers to Davante Adams. The Lions responded with a 42-yard field goal from Matt Prater. Green Bay accumulated a big lead with two touchdown catches by Jordy Nelson for eight and later 17 yards, one by Richard Rodgers II from two-yards, as well as a 36-yard field goal from Mason Crosby. Detroit made the halftime score 31–10 after Marvin Jones caught a 17-yard touchdown catch from Matthew Stafford. After the break, the Lions attempted a comeback with touchdown catches by Anquan Boldin and Marvin Jones, from two and 45-yards respectively, as well a 50-yard Prater field goal. Despite only allowing a 46-yard Packers field goal in the second half, the Lions came up short, losing 27–34.

Week 4: at Chicago Bears

Week Four: Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Period1234Total
Lions033814
Bears707317

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

  • Date: October 2
  • Game time: 1:00 pm. EDT/12:00 pm. CDT
  • Game weather: 62 °F (17 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 60,841
  • Referee: Tony Corrente
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Laura Okmin
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

In week 4, the Lions had their second consecutive divisional road game when they visited the Chicago Bears. The Bears got on the board first with a four-yard touchdown pass from Brian Hoyer to Eddie Royal. The Lions responded with a 50-yard field goal from Matt Prater, which made the score 7–3 in favor of the Bears at half-time. The Lions opened the scoring in the second half with a 21-yard field goal from Matt Prater. The Bears responded with a six-yard touchdown pass from Hoyer to Zach Miller. The Bears extended their lead in the fourth quarter with a 25-yard field goal from Connor Barth. The Lions responded with an 85-yard punt return by Andre Roberts, and a two-point conversion pass from Matthew Stafford to Golden Tate. Despite the attempted comeback, the Lions came up short, losing 14–17.

Week 5: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Week Five: Philadelphia Eagles at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Period1234Total
Eagles01010323
Lions1470324

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

  • Date: October 9
  • Game time: 1:00 pm. EDT
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 58,047
  • Referee: Pete Morelli
  • TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Charles Davis, Chris Spielman and Peter Schrager
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

In week 5, the Lions hosted the Philadelphia Eagles to start a three-game home stand. The Lions took a 14–0 lead in the first quarter with a pair of touchdown catches by Theo Riddick, from one and 17 yards out respectively. The Eagles responded in the second quarter with a one-yard touchdown pass from Carson Wentz to Ryan Mathews, cutting the Lions lead to seven points. The Lions added to their lead with a one-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to Marvin Jones. The Eagles responded with a 50-yard field goal from Caleb Sturgis, which made the score 21–10 in favor of the Lions at halftime. The Eagles scored 10 points in the third quarter via a one-yard touchdown pass from Wentz to Josh Huff, and a 33-yard field goal from Sturgis, cutting the Lions lead to one point. The Eagles took their first lead of the game, going up 23–21 in the fourth quarter on a 49-yard field goal from Sturgis. At the 2:34 mark of the final quarter, Darius Slay forced a Ryan Mathews fumble, which the Lions recovered inside Eagles territory. This was Philadelphia's first turnover of the 2016 season. The Lions got into range for a 29-yard Matt Prater field goal, making the score 24–23 with 1:28 left. Darius Slay intercepted a Wentz pass on the Eagles' next play from scrimmage, sealing the Lions victory and giving the Eagles their first loss of the season.

Week 6: vs. Los Angeles Rams

Week Six: Los Angeles Rams at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Period1234Total
Rams777728
Lions7771031

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

  • Date: October 16
  • Game time: 1:00 pm. EDT
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 56,018
  • Referee: John Hussey
  • TV announcers (Fox): Justin Kutcher, Charles Davis, Chris Spielman and Peter Schrager
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

In week 6, the Lions hosted the Los Angeles Rams. The score seesawed the entire game. The Lions scored first with a seven-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Marvin Jones. The Rams tied it up with a 20-yard touchdown pass from Case Keenum to Kenny Britt, and took the lead in the second quarter with a one-yard touchdown run by Keenum. The Lions tied it back up with a two-yard touchdown catch by Andre Roberts on fourth down, and stopped the Rams from taking the lead with a goal line stand as time expired in the second quarter, keeping the score tied 14–14 at halftime. After the break, the Lions took the lead back with a four-yard touchdown catch by Anquan Boldin, but the Rams tied it back up with a 15-yard catch by Lance Kendricks. Los Angeles then retook the lead in the fourth quarter with a nine-yard catch from Britt, but Detroit tied it up again on a 23-yard TD catch by Golden Tate. The Lions took the lead for good with a 34-yard field goal by Matt Prater at the 1:29 mark of the final quarter. Detroit prevented the Rams from getting into range for a game-tying field goal when Rafael Bush intercepted a Keenum pass with just over a minute to play, giving the Lions a 31–28 win and improving their record to 3–3. Golden Tate tallied a career-high 165 yards on eight receptions.

The Lions celebrated the 25th anniversary of their 1991 NFC Central Championship with an on-field reunion of its players at halftime.

Week 7: vs. Washington Redskins

Week Seven: Washington Redskins at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Period1234Total
Redskins0301417
Lions0371020

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

Game information

In week 7, the Lions hosted the Washington Redskins. After a scoreless first quarter, each team scored only a field goal in the second quarter: first Detroit's Matt Prater from 43 yards, then Washington's Dustin Hopkins from 38 yards, to tie the game at three points apiece at halftime. The only score of the third quarter was a one-yard touchdown run by the Lions' Zach Zenner. The Lions extended their lead in the fourth quarter via a 27-yard field goal from Prater. The Redskins responded with 14 consecutive points on a pair of touchdowns, first with a one-yard pass from Kirk Cousins to Robert Kelley, and next on a 19-yard run by Cousins. This give the Redskins their first lead of the game, 17–13, with just over a minute to go. The Lions took the lead back on the next drive, when Matthew Stafford hit Anquan Boldin for an 18-yard TD with 16 seconds left, to win the game, 20–17.

Week 8: at Houston Texans

Week Eight: Detroit Lions at Houston Texans – Game summary
Period1234Total
Lions0301013
Texans0143320

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Game information

In week 8, the Lions visited the Houston Texans. After a scoreless first quarter, the Texans took an early lead that they never relinquished with a pair of touchdowns. First, Brock Osweiler connected with C. J. Fiedorowicz on a six-yard touchdown pass, then Lamar Miller scored on a one-yard run. The Lions' only score of the first half was a 47-yard field goal from Matt Prater, making the halftime score 14–3. The only score of the third quarter was a 33-yard field goal from Houston's Nick Novak. Detroit responded with a one-yard touchdown catch by Theo Riddick in the fourth quarter, but the Texans went back up by 10 points after a 36-yard Novak field goal. The Lions scored the final points of the game with a 34-yard field goal. Despite the attempted late game comeback, Detroit came up short, losing 20–13 and snapping their three-game winning streak.

Week 9: at Minnesota Vikings

Week Nine: Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period1234OTTotal
Lions3706622
Vikings0367016

at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: November 6
  • Game time: 1:00 pm. EST/12:00 pm. CST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 66,807
  • Referee: Ed Hochuli
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Laura Okmin
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

In week 9, the Lions visited their division rival the Minnesota Vikings. The Lions opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 47-yard field goal from Matt Prater. The Vikings responded in the second quarter via a 33-yard field goal from Blair Walsh. Detroit came back with a one-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to Boldin, giving them a 10–3 lead at halftime. In the third quarter, the Vikings reduced the Lions lead to one point via a one-yard touchdown pass from Sam Bradford to Kyle Rudolph, but Walsh missed the extra point kick. The Lions extended their lead in the fourth quarter via a 53-yard field goal from Prater. Minnesota took a three-point lead via a one-yard touchdown run from Rhett Ellison with 23 seconds left in the game. Detroit responded with a 58-yard field goal from Prater to tie the score at 16 as time expired, forcing overtime. In the extra session, Detroit scored on its opening possession via a 28-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to Tate, where Tate stiff-armed safety Harrison Smith and then flipped into the end-zone, earning a 22–16 win.

Week 11: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Week Eleven: Jacksonville Jaguars at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Period1234Total
Jaguars3610019
Lions0971026

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

  • Date: November 20
  • Game time: 1:00 pm. EST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 61,486
  • Referee: Bill Vinovich
  • TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon, Steve Beuerlein and Steve Tasker
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

In week 11 following their bye-week, the Lions hosted the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 27-yard field goal from Jason Myers. The Lions' first score came in the second quarter on a 55-yard punt return from Andre Roberts, but the extra point try by Matt Prater was partially blocked and failed. The Jaguars responded with a three-yard touchdown pass from Blake Bortles to Allen Robinson, but the conversion attempt by Myers also failed. The Lions then scored on a 27-yard field goal from Matt Prater, which tied the score at 9–9 at halftime. The Lions took the lead in the third quarter via a 39-yard interception return from Rafael Bush. The Jaguars responded with 10 points in the third quarter via a 52-yard field goal from Myers, and a three-yard touchdown pass from Bortles to Marqise Lee, giving them a 19–16 lead. The Lions, trailing for the ninth straight game when entering the fourth quarter, would score the final 10 points of the game. The Lions offense scored its first and only touchdown on a one-yard run from Eric Ebron, and Matt Prater added a 43-yard field goal with 22 seconds left in the game. On the final drive for the Jaguars, Tavon Wilson intercepted a pass from Bortles, sealing the Lions 26–19 victory.

The Lions became the first team in NFL history to have its first ten games of a season all decided by seven or fewer points. [64]

Week 12: vs. Minnesota Vikings

Thanksgiving Day game

Week Twelve: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Period1234Total
Vikings703313
Lions730616

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

Game information

For their annual Thanksgiving Day game, the Lions hosted a rematch with division rival the Minnesota Vikings, with both teams coming into the game at 6–4 and the winner gaining first place in the NFC North. The Lions opened the scoring in the first quarter via a two-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Anquan Boldin. The Vikings responded with a five-yard touchdown run from Matt Asiata. In the second quarter, the Lions recorded a 29-yard field goal from Matt Prater, which made the score 10–7 in favor of the Lions at halftime. The Vikings again tied the score in the third quarter via a 30-yard field goal from Kai Forbath, and took their first lead of the game in the fourth quarter via a 28-yard field goal from Forbath. The Lions responded with a 48-yard field goal from Prater to tie the game. With 38 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Darius Slay intercepted a pass from Sam Bradford. Two plays later, Prater recorded a 40-yard field goal as time expired, giving the Lions a 16–13 win.

The Lions have trailed in the fourth quarter of every game this season, and tied an NFL record for the most fourth quarter comeback wins in a season with seven, set by the 2009 Indianapolis Colts. [65] The Lions extended their own NFL record of games to start a season being decided by seven points or fewer, now standing at eleven.

Week 13: at New Orleans Saints

Week Thirteen: Detroit Lions at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period1234Total
Lions3106928
Saints060713

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

  • Date: December 4
  • Game time: 1:00 pm. EST/12:00 pm. CST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 73,137
  • Referee: Clete Blakeman
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Ronde Barber and Jennifer Hale
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

After their Thanksgiving win, the Lions traveled south to play the New Orleans Saints. The Lions opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 27-yard field goal from Matt Prater. Detroit extended their lead in the second quarter via a one-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Theo Riddick. The Saints reduced the Lions lead to seven points via a 40-yard field goal from Wil Lutz. The two teams exchanged field goals, one from Prater from 29 yards, and one from Lutz from 32 yards, making the score 13–6 in favor of the Lions at halftime. The Lions added two field goals from Prater in the third quarter, from 32 yards and 27 yards out, extending their lead to 19–6. The Saints opened the scoring in the fourth quarter with a one-yard touchdown run from John Kuhn. The Lions responded on the next drive with a 66-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to Golden Tate, which was followed by a failed two-point conversion. Matt Prater finished the scoring with a 52-yard field goal, giving the Lions a 28–13 win.

This marked the first game all year in which the Lions never trailed in the fourth quarter, and their first game of 2016 to be decided by more than seven points. The Lions defense held Saints quarterback Drew Brees without a touchdown pass, ending a streak of 60 straight home games in which Brees threw for at least one touchdown. Further, the Lions won a road game following their Thanksgiving Day game for the first time since 1974, ending a streak of 22 losses in such games. [66] In one stretch during the first half, Matthew Stafford completed 14 consecutive passes, a Lions franchise record. [67]

Week 14: vs. Chicago Bears

Week Fourteen: Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Period1234Total
Bears307717
Lions0103720

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

Game information

In week 14, the Lions returned home for a rematch with division rival the Chicago Bears, who defeated the Lions in Chicago in week 4. The Bears opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 38-yard field goal from Connor Barth. The Lions responded with 10 points in the second quarter via a 29-yard field goal from Matt Prater, and a 16-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Anquan Boldin, which made the score 10–3 in favor of the Lions at half-time. The Lions extended their lead in the third quarter via a 54-yard field goal from Prater. The Bears reduced the Lions lead to three points via a 31-yard touchdown pass from Matt Barkley to Cameron Meredith. The Bears regained the lead in the fourth quarter via a 24-yard interception return from Cre'Von LeBlanc. The Lions responded with a seven-yard touchdown run from Stafford with 3:17 left in the game, giving the Lions a 20–17 lead they held onto for the win, and breaking an NFL record with 8 comebacks in a single season.

With the win, the Lions have won five games in a row for the first time since 2011. The Lions have also held opponents to 20 points or fewer in seven straight games, their longest such streak since 1961. [68]

Week 15: at New York Giants

Week Fifteen: Detroit Lions at New York Giants – Game summary
Period1234Total
Lions03306
Giants730717

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Game information

In week 15, the Lions traveled east to play the New York Giants. The Giants opened the scoring in the first quarter via a six-yard touchdown pass from Eli Manning to Sterling Shepard. The two teams exchanged field goals in the second quarter, one from Matt Prater from 48 yards, and one from Robbie Gould from 47 yards, making the score 10–3 in favor of the Giants at halftime. The Lions reduced the lead to four points in the third quarter via a 33-yard field goal from Prater. The Giants extended their lead in fourth quarter with a four-yard touchdown pass from Manning to Odell Beckham Jr. The Lions' attempted comeback failed when Matthew Stafford was picked off by Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in the end-zone for a touchback with 2:09 left in the game, losing 17–6, and snapping their five-game winning streak.

Week 16: at Dallas Cowboys

Week Sixteen: Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
Period1234Total
Lions7140021
Cowboys14714742

at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

Game information

In week 16, the Lions flew southwest to play the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football . The Cowboys opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 21-yard touchdown pass from Dak Prescott to Brice Butler. The Lions responded with a 7-yard touchdown run from Zach Zenner. The Cowboys regained the lead via a 55-yard touchdown run from Ezekiel Elliott. The Lions scored 14 points in the second quarter via a 1-yard touchdown run from Matthew Stafford and a 5-yard run from Zenner, to take their first lead of the game. The Cowboys responded with a 25-yard touchdown pass from Prescott to Dez Bryant, which tied the score 21–21 at halftime. The Cowboys scored 21 unanswered points in the second half, via a 1-yard touchdown run from Elliott and a 10-yard touchdown pass from Bryant to Jason Witten in the third quarter, and a 19-yard touchdown pass from Prescott to Bryant in the fourth quarter, making the final score 42–21.

The Lions' streak of holding opponents to 20 points or fewer was ended at eight consecutive games.

Week 17: vs. Green Bay Packers

Week Seventeen: Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Period1234Total
Packers01071431
Lions01401024

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

Game information

To finish the regular season, the Lions hosted a rematch with division rival the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football , their second consecutive nationally televised, prime-time game. After a scoreless first quarter, the Packers opened the scoring in the second quarter via a seven-yard touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers to Aaron Ripkowski. The Lions responded with 14 points via a one-yard touchdown run from Zach Zenner and a three-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Golden Tate. The Packers reduced the Lions lead to four points via a 53-yard field goal from Mason Crosby, which made the score 14–10 in favor of the Lions at half-time. The Packers regained the lead in the third quarter via a three-yard touchdown pass from Rodgers to Davante Adams, and increased it in the fourth quarter via a 10-yard touchdown pass from Rodgers to Geronimo Allison, and a nine-yard touchdown pass from Rodgers to Adams. The Lions responded with a 54-yard field goal from Matt Prater and a 35-yard touchdown pass from Stafford to Anquan Boldin but came up short, losing 24–31. With the loss, Green Bay won the NFC North division title, but Detroit won a wildcard spot, thanks to Washington's loss to the Giants earlier in the day.

Postseason

NFC Wild Card Playoffs: at (3) Seattle Seahawks

NFC Wild Card Playoffs: (6) Detroit Lions at (3) Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
Period1234Total
Lions03306
Seahawks01001626

at CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington

Game information

After a scoreless first quarter, the Seahawks opened the scoring in the second quarter via a two-yard touchdown pass from Russell Wilson to Paul Richardson. The Seahawks extended their lead via a 43-yard field goal from Steven Hauschka. The Lions responded with a 51-yard field goal from Matt Prater, which made the score 10–3 in favor of the Seahawks at half-time. The Lions reduced the Seahawks' lead to four points in the third quarter via a 53-yard field goal from Prater. The Seahawks scored 16 points in the fourth quarter via a 27-yard field goal from Hauschka, a four-yard touchdown run from Thomas Rawls, and a 13-yard touchdown pass from Wilson to Doug Baldwin, making the final score 26–6 in favor of Seattle, and ending the Lions' season. The loss marked the Lions' ninth consecutive playoff game without a win, the longest streak in NFL history.

Standings

Division

NFC North
WLTPCTDIVCONFPFPASTK
(4) Green Bay Packers 1060.6255–18–4432388W6
(6) Detroit Lions 970.5633–37–5346358L3
Minnesota Vikings 880.5002–45–7327307W1
Chicago Bears 3130.1882–43–9279399L4

Conference

NFC
#TeamDivisionWLTPCTDIVCONFSOSSOVSTK
Division leaders
1 Dallas Cowboys East1330.8133–39–3.471.440L1
2 Atlanta Falcons South1150.6885–19–3.480.452W4
3 Seattle Seahawks West1051.6563–2–16–5–1.441.425W1
4 Green Bay Packers North1060.6255–18–4.508.453W6
Wild Cards
5 New York Giants East1150.6884–28–4.486.455W1
6 [lower-alpha 1] Detroit Lions North970.5633–37–5.475.392L3
Did not qualify for the postseason
7 [lower-alpha 1] Tampa Bay Buccaneers South970.5634–27–5.492.434W1
8 Washington Redskins East871.5313–36–6.516.430L1
9 Minnesota Vikings North880.5002–45–7.492.457W1
10 Arizona Cardinals West781.4694–1–16–5–1.463.366W2
11 [lower-alpha 2] New Orleans Saints South790.4382–46–6.523.393L1
12 [lower-alpha 2] Philadelphia Eagles East790.4382–45–7.559.518W2
13 Carolina Panthers South6100.3751–55–7.518.354L2
14 Los Angeles Rams West4120.2502–43–9.504.500L7
15 Chicago Bears North3130.1882–43–9.521.396L4
16 San Francisco 49ers West2140.1252–42–10.504.250L1
Tiebreakers [lower-alpha 3]
  1. 1 2 Detroit finished ahead of Tampa Bay for the No. 6 seed and qualified for the last playoff spot based on record vs. common opponents—Detroit's cumulative record against Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and New Orleans was 3–2, while Tampa Bay's cumulative record against the same four teams was 2–3.
  2. 1 2 New Orleans finished ahead of Philadelphia based on better record vs. conference opponents.
  3. ↑ 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.

Staff

2016 Detroit Lions staff

Front office

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

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