2022 Detroit Lions season

Summary

The 2022 season was the Detroit Lions' 93rd in the National Football League (NFL), the 21st playing their home games at Ford Field and their second under the head coach/general manager tandem of Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes.

2022 Detroit Lions season
OwnerSheila Ford Hamp
General managerBrad Holmes
Head coachDan Campbell
Home fieldFord Field
Results
Record9–8
Division place2nd NFC North
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro Bowlers
AP All-ProsPR Kalif Raymond (2nd team)
Uniform

On March 28, NFL Films and HBO announced that the Lions would be featured in the newest season of Hard 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 the previous season. This marked their first winning record since 2017. The Lions won five out of six divisional games, splitting their season series with the Minnesota Vikings.

Prior to taking the field in Week 18 against the Green Bay Packers, the Lions were eliminated from playoff contention for the sixth consecutive season after the Seattle Seahawks defeated the Los Angeles Rams. Despite beating the Packers and having the same 9–8 record as the Seahawks, they lost the playoff spot based on the teams' 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.

Player movements edit

Free agents edit

Position Player Free agency
tag
Date signed 2022 team Source
LB Alex Anzalone UFA March 14 Detroit Lions [2][3]
QB David Blough RFA March 22 Detroit Lions [4]
C Evan Brown UFA March 15 Detroit Lions [5]
QB Tim Boyle UFA March 22 Detroit Lions [4]
FB Jason Cabinda UFA February 17 Detroit Lions [6]
OT Tyrell Crosby UFA
S Jalen Elliott ERFA March 14 Detroit Lions [2]
LB Shaun Dion Hamilton UFA March 14 Detroit Lions [2]
EDGE Charles Harris UFA March 15 Detroit Lions [7][8]
DT Joel Heath UFA
WR KhaDarel Hodge UFA March 25 Atlanta Falcons [9]
OT Will Holden RFA New York Giants [citation needed]
S Dean Marlowe UFA March 31 Atlanta Falcons [10]
S C. J. Moore UFA March 14 Detroit Lions [2]
WR Kalif Raymond UFA March 18 Detroit Lions [11]
LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin UFA March 23 Houston Texans [12]
WR Josh Reynolds UFA March 9 Detroit Lions [13]
S Tracy Walker UFA March 15 Detroit Lions [14]
DT Nick Williams UFA New York Giants [citation needed]
LB Josh Woods UFA February 22 Detroit Lions [15]

Additions edit

Position Player Previous team Date Source
LB Chris Board Baltimore Ravens March 23 [16]
WR D. J. Chark Jacksonville Jaguars March 17 [17]
CB Mike Hughes Kansas City Chiefs March 23 [18]
LB Jarrad Davis New York Jets March 25 [19]
TE Garrett Griffin New Orleans Saints March 28 [20]
S DeShon Elliott Baltimore Ravens April 14 [21]
RB Justin Jackson Los Angeles Chargers August 1 [22]

Subtractions edit

Position Player 2022 team Release date Source
OLB Trey Flowers Miami Dolphins March 16 [23]

Draft edit

Detroit held the second overall selection in the draft. They had also gained the final pick in the first round, number 32, from the LA Rams.[24] With days until the Draft, the Lions were heavily projected to draft University of Michigan's defensive end Aidan Hutchinson.[25] After the Jaguars chose Travon Walker first overall, the Lions made their selection, choosing Hutchinson with their second overall selection. 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 the Minnesota Vikings for the 12th and 46th picks. With the 12th pick, the Lions chose wide receiver Jameson Williams, who was coming off an ACL tear in the 2022 national championship.[27]

2022 Detroit Lions Draft
Round Selection Player Position College Notes
1 2 Aidan Hutchinson Defensive end Michigan
12 Jameson Williams Wide receiver Alabama From Minnesota[A]
32 Traded to Minnesota[A] From LA Rams[B]
2 34 Traded to Minnesota[A]
46 Josh Paschal Defensive end Kentucky From Minnesota[A]
3 66 Traded to Minnesota[A]
97 Kerby Joseph Free safety Illinois Compensatory selection[C]
4 107 Traded to Cleveland[D]
5 145 Traded to Denver[E]
177 James Mitchell Tight end Virginia Tech Compensatory selection[C]
6 181 Traded to Philadelphia[F]
188 Malcolm Rodriguez Linebacker Oklahoma State From Seattle via Jacksonville and Philadelphia[F]
217 James Houston IV Linebacker Jackson State Compensatory selection[C]
7 223 Traded to Cleveland[G]
234 Traded to Denver[E] From Cleveland[G]
237 Chase Lucas Cornerback Arizona State From New Orleans via Philadelphia[F]

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e The 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]
  2. ^ The Lions traded QB Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for QB Jared Goff, a first-round selection (32nd overall), a 2021 third-round selection and a 2023 first-round selection.
  3. ^ a b c Compensatory 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]
  4. ^ The Lions traded a fourth-round selection (107th overall) and a 2021 fifth-round selection to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for 2021 fourth- and seventh-round selections.[30]
  5. ^ a b The Lions traded fifth- and seventh-round selections (145th and 234th overall) to the Denver Broncos in exchange for WR Trinity Benson and a 2023 sixth-round pick.[31]
  6. ^ a b c The Lions traded a sixth-round selection (181st overall) to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for sixth- and seventh-round selections (188th and 237th overall).
  7. ^ a b The Lions traded a conditional seventh-round selection (223rd overall) in exchange for QB David Blough and a seventh-round selection (234th overall).
2022 Detroit Lions undrafted free agents
Name Position College Ref.
Greg Bell RB San Diego State [32]
Cedric Boswell CB Miami (OH)
Derrick Deese Jr. TE San Jose State
Obinna Eze OT TCU
Nolan Givan TE Southeastern Louisiana
Kevin Jarvis G Michigan State
Josh Johnson WR Tulsa
Zein Obeid G Ferris State
Kalil Pimpleton WR Central Michigan
Corey Sutton Appalachian State
Demetrius Taylor DT
Jermaine Waller CB Virginia Tech

Staff edit

2022 Detroit Lions staff

Front office

  • Owner – Sheila Ford Hamp
  • Vice chairpeople – William Clay Ford Jr., Martha Ford Morse and Elizabeth Ford Kontulis
  • Team president – Rod Wood
  • Special assistant to chairman and president & CEO – Chris Spielman
  • Executive vice president/general manager – Brad Holmes
  • Assistant general manager – Ray Agnew
  • Director of player personnel – Lance Newmark
  • Chief Operating Officer - Mike Disner
  • Director of pro scouting – Rob Lohman
  • Director of college scouting – Dave Sears
  • Director of scouting advancement – Mike Martin
  • Senior personnel executive – John Dorsey

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches
  • Defensive coordinator – Aaron Glenn
  • Defensive line – Todd Wash
  • Assistant defensive line – Cameron Davis
  • Linebackers – Kelvin Sheppard
  • Safeties – Brian Duker
  • Defensive assistant/outside linebackers – David Corrao
  • Defensive quality control – Addison Lynch
  • Defensive quality control – Wayne Blair
  • WCF minority fellowship – Shaun Dion Hamilton

Special teams coaches

  • Special teams coordinator – Dave Fipp
  • Assistant special teams – Jett Modkins

Strength and conditioning

  • Director of sports performance – Mike Clark
  • Director of sports science – Jill Costanza
  • Head strength & conditioning – Josh Schuler
  • Assistant strength & conditioning – Morris Henry

Coaching changes edit

Final roster edit

2022 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, 16 practice squad

Preseason edit

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 August 12 Atlanta Falcons L 23–27 0–1 Ford Field Recap
2 August 20 at Indianapolis Colts W 27–26 1–1 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
3 August 28 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 9–19 1–2 Acrisure Stadium Recap

Regular season edit

Schedule edit

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 September 11 Philadelphia Eagles L 35–38 0–1 Ford Field Recap
2 September 18 Washington Commanders W 36–27 1–1 Ford Field Recap
3 September 25 at Minnesota Vikings L 24–28 1–2 U.S. Bank Stadium Recap
4 October 2 Seattle Seahawks L 45–48 1–3 Ford Field Recap
5 October 9 at New England Patriots L 0–29 1–4 Gillette Stadium Recap
6 Bye
7 October 23 at Dallas Cowboys L 6–24 1–5 AT&T Stadium Recap
8 October 30 Miami Dolphins L 27–31 1–6 Ford Field Recap
9 November 6 Green Bay Packers W 15–9 2–6 Ford Field Recap
10 November 13 at Chicago Bears W 31–30 3–6 Soldier Field Recap
11 November 20 at New York Giants W 31–18 4–6 MetLife Stadium Recap
12 November 24 Buffalo Bills L 25–28 4–7 Ford Field Recap
13 December 4 Jacksonville Jaguars W 40–14 5–7 Ford Field Recap
14 December 11 Minnesota Vikings W 34–23 6–7 Ford Field Recap
15 December 18 at New York Jets W 20–17 7–7 MetLife Stadium Recap
16 December 24 at Carolina Panthers L 23–37 7–8 Bank of America Stadium Recap
17 January 1 Chicago Bears W 41–10 8–8 Ford Field Recap
18 January 8 at Green Bay Packers W 20–16 9–8 Lambeau Field Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries edit

Week 1: vs. Philadelphia Eagles edit

Week 1: Philadelphia Eagles at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Eagles 0 24 14038
Lions 7 7 71435

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

  • Date: September 11
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 64,537
  • Referee: Brad Allen
  • TV announcers (Fox): Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth, and Kristina Pink
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

To open the regular season, the Lions hosted the Philadelphia Eagles. The Lions opened the scoring in the first quarter via a one-yard touchdown run from Jamaal Williams. The Eagles responded with 21 unanswered points in the second quarter via two one-yard touchdown runs from Jalen Hurts and Miles Sanders, respectively, and a 27-yard interception return by James Bradberry. The Lions responded with a seven-yard touchdown run from D'Andre Swift. The Eagles scored the final points of the half via a 23-yard field goal by Jake 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 from Kenneth Gainwell and a one-yard touchdown run from Boston Scott. The Lions responded with a four-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to Amon-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 to D. J. Chark, making the final score 38–35 in favor of Philadelphia.

Week 2: vs. Washington Commanders edit

Week 2: Washington Commanders at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Commanders 0 0 151227
Lions 12 10 7736

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

Game information

In week 2, the Lions hosted the Washington Commanders. The Lions scored 12 points in the first quarter via a 35-yard field goal by Austin Seibert, a fumble forced by Charles Harris in the end zone for a safety, and a 13-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to Amon-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 to Josh 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 from Carson Wentz to Curtis Samuel and a 20-yard touchdown pass from Wentz to Logan Thomas. The Lions responded with a 22-yard touchdown pass from Goff to D'Andre Swift. The teams exchanged touchdowns in the fourth quarter, first a one-yard touchdown run from Antonio 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 to Jahan 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]

Week 3: at Minnesota Vikings edit

Week 3: Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Lions 7 7 10024
Vikings 0 14 01428

at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

In week 3, the Lions visited their divisional rival, the Minnesota Vikings. The Lions opened the scoring in the first quarter via a two-yard touchdown run from Jamaal Williams. The Lions extended their lead in the second quarter via a five-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to T. J. Hockenson. The Vikings responded with 14 points in the quarter via a one-yard touchdown pass from Kirk Cousins to Adam Thielen and a four-yard touchdown run from Dalvin 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 by Austin Seibert and a 13-yard touchdown run from Williams. The Vikings scored 14 points in the fourth quarter via a six-yard touchdown run from Alexander Mattison and a 28-yard touchdown pass from Cousins to K. J. Osborn with 45 seconds left in the half. The Lions' attempted comeback failed when Goff's pass intended for D. J. Chark was intercepted by Josh Metellus with 17 seconds remaining in the game, making the final score 28–24 in favor of Minnesota.

Week 4: vs. Seattle Seahawks edit

Week 4: Seattle Seahawks at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Seahawks 14 10 141048
Lions 6 9 82245

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

Game information

In week 4, the Lions hosted the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 17-yard touchdown pass from Geno Smith to Will Dissly. The Lions responded with a 32-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to T. 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 by Jason Myers and a two-yard touchdown pass from Smith to Noah Fant. The Lions scored nine points in the quarter via a 49-yard field goal by Eberle and a one-yard touchdown run from Jamaal 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 by Tariq Woolen and a 36-yard touchdown run from Rashaad 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 to Josh 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 to Justin Jackson. The Lions' attempted comeback failed when the onside kick was recovered by the Seahawks, making the final score 48–45 in favor of Seattle.

Week 5: at New England Patriots edit

Week 5: Detroit Lions at New England Patriots – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Lions 0 0 000
Patriots 3 13 10329

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Game information

In week 5, the Lions visited the New England Patriots. The Patriots opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 37-yard field goal by Nick Folk. The Patriots scored 13 points in the second quarter via a 32-yard field goal by Folk, a 59-yard fumble return by Kyle 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 from Bailey Zappe to Jakobi 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 of 2020. 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. The 1995 New England Patriots held the previous record, going 0–5 in a loss to the Denver Broncos.[37] With the loss, the Lions went into their bye week at 1–4.

Week 7: at Dallas Cowboys edit

Week 7: Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Lions 3 3 006
Cowboys 0 3 71424

at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

Game information

Following their bye week, in week 7, the Lions visited the Dallas Cowboys. The Lions opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 40-yard field goal by Michael Badgley. The Cowboys tied the game in the second quarter via a 22-yard field goal by Brett 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 from Ezekiel 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 from Dak Prescott to Peyton Hendershot, making the final score 24–6 in favor of Dallas.

Week 8: vs. Miami Dolphins edit

Week 8: Miami Dolphins at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Dolphins 7 10 14031
Lions 14 13 0027

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

Game information

In week 8, the Lions hosted the Miami Dolphins. The Lions scored 14 points in the first quarter via a seven-yard touchdown run from Jamaal Williams and a seven-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to D'Andre Swift. The Dolphins responded with a five-yard touchdown pass from Tua Tagovailoa to Jaylen 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 by Jason Sanders. The Lions scored 13 points in the quarter via a one-yard touchdown run from Williams, and two field goals by Michael 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 from Alec Ingold and an 11-yard touchdown pass from Tagovailoa to Mike Gesicki. Neither team scored in the fourth quarter, making the final score 31–27 in favor of Miami.

Week 9: vs. Green Bay Packers edit

Week 9: Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Packers 0 0 639
Lions 0 8 0715

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

Game information

In week 9, the Lions hosted their divisional rival, the Green Bay Packers. After a scoreless first quarter, the Lions opened the scoring in the second quarter via a one-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to Shane Zylstra and a two-point conversion run from Jamaal 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 from Aaron Rodgers to Allen 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 to James Mitchell. The Packers scored the final points of the game via a 25-yard field goal by Mason 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 of 2017 that Rodgers threw three interceptions.[38]

Week 10: at Chicago Bears edit

Week 10: Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Lions 3 7 02131
Bears 3 7 14630

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

  • Date: November 13
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Scattered clouds, 34 °F (1 °C)
  • Game attendance: 61,817
  • Referee: Land Clark
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Kugler, Mark Sanchez and Laura Okmin
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

In week 10, the Lions visited their divisional rival, the Chicago Bears. The Bears opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 33-yard field goal by Cairo Santos. The Lions responded with a 25-yard field goal by Michael Badgley to tie the game. The teams exchanged touchdowns in the second quarter, first a two-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to Brock Wright for the Lions, then a one-yard touchdown run from Justin 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 to Cole Kmet from six-yards, and 50-yards, respectively. The Lions scored 21 points in the fourth quarter via a nine-yard touchdown run from D'Andre Swift, a 20-yard interception return by Jeff Okudah and a one-yard touchdown run from Jamaal 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.

Week 11: at New York Giants edit

Week 11: Detroit Lions at New York Giants – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Lions 3 14 7731
Giants 6 0 01218

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: November 20
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Fair and breezy, 35 °F (2 °C)
  • Game attendance: 76,267
  • Referee: Brad Rogers
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olsen and Erin Andrews
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

In week 11, the Lions visited the New York Giants. The Lions opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 24-yard field goal by Michael Badgley. The Giants responded with a three-yard touchdown run from Daniel Jones. John Cominsky blocked the extra point. The Lions scored 14 points in the second quarter via two touchdown runs from Jamaal 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 from Matt Breida and a nine-yard touchdown pass from Jones to Richie James. The Lions extended their lead via a four-yard touchdown run from D'Andre Swift, making the final score 31–18 in favor of Detroit. The win marked the Lions' first three-game winning streak since 2017.[39]

Week 12: vs. Buffalo Bills edit

Week 12: Buffalo Bills at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bills 7 10 2928
Lions 7 7 01125

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

  • Date: November 24
  • Game time: 12:30 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 66,553
  • Referee: Clete Blakeman
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Tony Romo and Tracy Wolfson
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

For their annual Thanksgiving Day game, the Lions hosted the Buffalo Bills. The Lions opened the scoring in the first quarter via a two-yard touchdown run from Jamaal Williams. The Bills responded with a 19-yard touchdown pass from Josh Allen to Isaiah 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 from Jared Goff to Amon-Ra St. Brown. The Bills scored the final points of the half via a 47-yard field goal by Tyler 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 to D. J. Chark and a two-point conversion run by D'Andre Swift. The Bills responded with a five-yard touchdown pass from Allen to Stefon Diggs. The Lions scored via a 51-yard field goal by Michael 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.

Week 13: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars edit

Week 13: Jacksonville Jaguars at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Jaguars 3 3 8014
Lions 14 9 71040

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

  • Date: December 4
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 60,743
  • Referee: Jerome Boger
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Robert Smith and Jen Hale
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

In week 13, the Lions hosted the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Lions opened the scoring in the first quarter via a one-yard touchdown run from Jamaal Williams. The Jaguars responded with a 31-yard field goal by Riley Patterson. The Lions extended their lead via 10-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to Amon-Ra St. Brown. The Lions scored nine points in the second quarter via three field goals by Michael 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 from D'Andre Swift. The Jaguars scored their only points of the second half via a three-yard touchdown pass from Trevor Lawrence to Evan Engram and a two-point conversion pass from Lawrence to Jamal 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.

Week 14: vs. Minnesota Vikings edit

Week 14: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 7 0 61023
Lions 7 7 71334

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

  • Date: December 11
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 66,374
  • Referee: Ronald Torbert
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma and Shannon Spake
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

In week 14, the Lions hosted their divisional rival, the Minnesota Vikings, in a rematch of week 3. The Lions opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 41-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to Jameson Williams, for his first career NFL reception and first career NFL touchdown. The Vikings responded with a one-yard touchdown run from Dalvin Cook to tie the game. The Lions scored the only points of the second quarter via a 48-yard touchdown pass from Goff to D. 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 to Josh Reynolds. The Vikings responded with a 23-yard touchdown pass from Kirk Cousins to Adam Thielen and a failed two-point conversion attempt. The Vikings scored 10 points in the fourth quarter via a 41-yard field goal by Greg Joseph and a 15-yard touchdown pass from Cousins to K. J. Osborn. The Lions scored 13 points in the quarter via a 15-yard touchdown run from Justin Jackson and two field goals by Michael Badgley, from 41-yards, and 48-yards, respectively, making the final score 34–23 in favor of Detroit. This is the first time since 2017 in which the Lions defeated all three of their division rivals at least once in the same season.[40]

Week 15: at New York Jets edit

Week 15: Detroit Lions at New York Jets – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Lions 7 3 3720
Jets 0 10 0717

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: December 18
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Mostly sunny, 39 °F (4 °C)
  • Game attendance: 75,076
  • Referee: Craig Wrolstad
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, Charles Davis and Evan Washburn
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

In week 15, the Lions visited the New York Jets for their second game at MetLife Stadium this season. The Lions opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 47-yard punt return touchdown by Kalif Raymond. In the second quarter, the Jets responded with a 40-yard touchdown pass from Zach Wilson to C. J. Uzomah to tie the game. The Lions regained the lead via a 31-yard field goal by Michael Badgley. The Jets responded with a 34-yard field goal by Greg 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 from Jared Goff to Brock 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.

Week 16: at Carolina Panthers edit

Week 16: Detroit Lions at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Lions 7 0 61023
Panthers 7 17 7637

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Date: December 24
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Sunny, 20 °F (−7 °C)
  • Game attendance: 69,173
  • Referee: Shawn Hochuli
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Robert Smith and Jen Hale
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

In week 16, the Lions visited the Carolina Panthers on Christmas Eve. The Panthers opened the scoring in the first quarter via a seven-yard touchdown run from Raheem Blackshear. The Lions responded with a three-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to Shane Zylstra to tie the game. The Panthers scored 17 points in the second quarter via a three-yard touchdown run from Sam Darnold, a four-yard touchdown run from D'Onta Foreman and a 37-yard field goal by Eddy 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 to D. 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 by Michael Badgley, making the final score 37–23 in favor of Carolina. The game time temperature of 20 °F (−7 °C) was the coldest ever at Bank of America Stadium.[41]

Week 17: vs. Chicago Bears edit

Week 17: Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bears 10 0 0010
Lions 7 17 14341

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

  • Date: January 1
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 66,169
  • Referee: Adrian Hill
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma and Shannon Spake
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

In week 17, the Lions hosted their divisional rival, the Chicago Bears, in a New Year's Day rematch of week 10. The Bears opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 13-yard touchdown pass from Justin Fields to Cole Kmet. The Lions responded with a two-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to Brock Wright to tie the game. The Bears regained the lead via a 23-yard field goal by Cairo Santos. The Lions scored 17 unanswered points in the second quarter via a 17-yard touchdown run from D'Andre Swift, a nine-yard touchdown pass from Goff to Wright and a 23-yard field goal by Michael 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 from Jamaal 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 since 2017.

Week 18: at Green Bay Packers edit

Week 18: Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Lions 3 3 7720
Packers 6 3 7016

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

  • Date: January 8
  • Game time: 8:20 p.m. EST/7:20 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 21 °F (−6 °C)
  • Game attendance: 78,191
  • Referee: Brad Rogers
  • TV announcers (NBC): Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth and Melissa Stark
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

To finish the season, in week 18, the Lions visited their divisional rival, the Green Bay Packers, in a rematch of week 9. The Packers opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 22-yard field goal by Mason Crosby. The Lions responded with a 37-yard field goal by Michael 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 from Jamaal Williams. The Packers responded with a 13-yard touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers to Allen 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 by Barry Sanders in 1991.[42]

Standings edit

Division edit

NFC North
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(3) Minnesota Vikings 13 4 0 .765 4–2 8–4 424 427 W1
Detroit Lions 9 8 0 .529 5–1 7–5 453 427 W2
Green Bay Packers 8 9 0 .471 3–3 6–6 370 371 L1
Chicago Bears 3 14 0 .176 0–6 1–11 326 463 L10

Conference edit

# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division leaders
1 Philadelphia Eagles East 14 3 0 .824 4–2 9–3 .474 .460 W1
2[a] San Francisco 49ers West 13 4 0 .765 6–0 10–2 .417 .414 W10
3[a] Minnesota Vikings North 13 4 0 .765 4–2 8–4 .474 .425 W1
4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers South 8 9 0 .471 4–2 8–4 .503 .426 L1
Wild cards
5 Dallas Cowboys East 12 5 0 .706 4–2 8–4 .507 .485 L1
6 New York Giants East 9 7 1 .559 1–4–1 4–7–1 .526 .395 L1
7[b] Seattle Seahawks West 9 8 0 .529 4–2 6–6 .462 .382 W2
Did not qualify for the postseason
8[b] Detroit Lions North 9 8 0 .529 5–1 7–5 .535 .451 W2
9 Washington Commanders East 8 8 1 .500 2–3–1 5–6–1 .536 .449 W1
10 Green Bay Packers North 8 9 0 .471 3–3 6–6 .524 .449 L1
11[c] Carolina Panthers South 7 10 0 .412 4–2 6–6 .474 .437 W1
12[c][d] New Orleans Saints South 7 10 0 .412 2–4 5–7 .507 .462 L1
13[c][d] Atlanta Falcons South 7 10 0 .412 2–4 6–6 .467 .429 W2
14 Los Angeles Rams West 5 12 0 .294 1–5 3–9 .517 .341 L2
15 Arizona Cardinals West 4 13 0 .235 1–5 3–9 .529 .368 L7
16 Chicago Bears North 3 14 0 .176 0–6 1–11 .571 .480 L10
Tiebreakers[e]
  1. ^ a b San Francisco finished ahead of Minnesota based on conference record (10–2 vs. 8–4).
  2. ^ a b Seattle finished ahead of Detroit based on head-to-head victory.
  3. ^ a b c Carolina finished ahead of New Orleans and Atlanta based on head-to-head record (3–1 vs. 2–2/1–3).
  4. ^ a b New Orleans finished ahead of Atlanta based on head-to-head sweep.
  5. ^ 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.

Awards and honors edit

Recipient Award(s)
Amon-Ra St. Brown
  • Week 2
    • NFC Offensive Player of the Week[43]
Jared Goff
Aidan Hutchinson
  • Week 11
    • NFC Defensive Player of the Week[46]
  • November
    • NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month
Jamaal Williams
  • Week 11
  • Week 17
    • FedEx Ground Player of the Week

References edit

  1. ^ "Detroit Lions to be featured in 'Hard Knocks' for 2022 training camp, HBO and NFL Films announce". March 28, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d "Lions re-sign LB Alex Anzalone, S Jalen Elliott, LB Shaun Dion Hamilton and S C.J. Moore". NFL.com. March 14, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  3. ^ Birkett, Dave. "Alex Anzalone signs 1-year deal to stay in Detroit, says Lions 'very close' to turnaround". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  4. ^ a b "Lions re-sign QB David Blough and QB Tim Boyle". DetroitLions.com. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  5. ^ "Lions re-sign C Evan Brown". www.detroitlions.com. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  6. ^ Reisman, Jeremy (February 17, 2022). "Detroit Lions re-sign Jason Cabinda to a 2-year deal". Pride Of Detroit. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  7. ^ Schlitt, Erik (March 15, 2022). "Report: Detroit Lions re-sign Charles Harris to a 2-year contract". Pride Of Detroit.
  8. ^ "Lions re-sign OLB Charles Harris to contract extension through 2023 season". detroitlions.com. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  9. ^ "Falcons add free-agent receiver to position group undergoing overhaul". atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  10. ^ "Falcons sign veteran defensive back to help fortify secondary". atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  11. ^ "Lions re-sign WR Kalif Raymond to contract extension through 2023 season". detroitlions.com. Archived from the original on March 18, 2022. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  12. ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (3-23-2022)". houstontexans.com. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  13. ^ "Lions re-sign WR Josh Reynolds to contract extension through 2023 season". detroitlions.com. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  14. ^ "Lions re-sign S Tracy Walker to contract extension through the 2024 season". detroitlions.com. Archived from the original on March 18, 2022. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  15. ^ Reisman, Jeremy (February 22, 2022). "Detroit Lions re-sign linebacker Josh Woods". Pride Of Detroit. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  16. ^ "Lions sign unrestricted free agent LB Chris Board". detroitlions.com. Archived from the original on March 25, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  17. ^ "Lions sign unrestricted free agent WR DJ Chark". detroitlions.com. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  18. ^ "Lions sign unrestricted free agent CB Mike Hughes". detroitlions.com. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  19. ^ "Jarrad Davis, a first-round pick in 2017, rejoins Detroit Lions LB corps". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  20. ^ "Lions sign free agent TE Garrett Griffin". detroitlions.com. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  21. ^ "Lions sign unrestricted free agent S DeShon Elliott". detroitlions.com. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  22. ^ "Lions sign RB Justin Jackson". Lions Wire. August 1, 2022. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  23. ^ "Source: Lions to release pass-rusher Flowers". ESPN.com. March 10, 2022. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  24. ^ "Lions acquire QB Jared Goff via trade with Los Angeles Rams". Detroit Lions. March 18, 2021. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  25. ^ "Aidan Hutchinson Draft Profile 2022".
  26. ^ Woodyard, Eric (April 28, 2022). "Detroit Lions take Aidan Hutchinson at No. 2, trade up to get Jameson Williams with 12th pick in NFL draft". espn.com.
  27. ^ "Lions trade up to select Alabama WR Jameson Williams at No. 12". NFL.com. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  28. ^ "Lions trade up to select Alabama WR Jameson Williams at No. 12". NFL.com. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  29. ^ "Lions awarded three compensatory draft picks". www.detroitlions.com. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  30. ^ Smith, Pete. "Browns Trade for 2022 Draft Pick". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  31. ^ "Full details of the Trinity Benson trade between the Lions and Broncos". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  32. ^ "TWENTYMAN: A closer look at the Lions' undrafted rookie free agents". detroitlions.com. May 13, 2022.
  33. ^ Twentyman, Tim (January 10, 2022). "Campbell confirms Lions are parting ways with Anthony Lynn". Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  34. ^ "Lions promote Ben Johnson to offensive coordinator". February 9, 2022. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
  35. ^ Twentyman, Tim (October 31, 2022). "KEY QUESTIONS: Why Lions parted ways with DBs coach Aubrey Pleasant". Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  36. ^ "Amon-Ra St. Brown Sets NFL Record". www.si.com. Vito Chirco. September 18, 2022. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  37. ^ Rogers, Justin (October 9, 2022). "Lions can do nothing right in blowout loss to Patriots". The Detroit News. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
  38. ^ Koons, Zach (November 6, 2022). "Aaron Rodgers Throws Three Interceptions for First Time Since 2017". SI.com. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  39. ^ Meinke, Kyle (November 20, 2022). "Instant observations: Lions roll to first three-game winning streak since 2017". MLive.com. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  40. ^ Peters, Craig. "Vikings at Lions Game Observations: Chance to Clinch Division Delayed in Detroit". vikings.com. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  41. ^ Detroit Lions face Carolina Panthers in coldest game in Bank of America Stadium history Detroit Free Press, December 24, 2022
  42. ^ Woodyard, Eric (January 8, 2023). "Jamaal Williams breaks Barry Sanders' Lions record with TD". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  43. ^ Gordon, Grant. "Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa, Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown highlight Players of the Week". National Football League. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  44. ^ "Jared Goff wins Week 4 NFL Air Player of the Week".
  45. ^ "Lions QB Jared Goff wins 'Air Player of the Week' for big day vs. Vikings".
  46. ^ Makkaron, John. "Aidan Hutchinson Named NFC Defensive Player of the Week". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  47. ^ "Jamaal Williams wins FedEx Ground Player of the Week".

External links edit

  • Official website