A promising 4–2 start was followed by a five-game losing streak and a 2–8 record to finish 6–10. The team finished bottom-tier in offense and mid-tier in defense. Three Lions were named to the Pro Bowl: Cornerback Dré Bly, return specialist Eddie Drummond, and defensive tackle Shaun Rogers. In their opening game, the Lions won on the road, snapping an NFL-record 24 game losing streak on the road. The Lions would hold this record until they lost 26 straight between 2007–10.
The passing game was led by third-year quarterback Joey Harrington who, after throwing a league-high 22 interceptions in the previous season, threw 12 more with his 3,047 passing yards being a career high. In the first game of the season, 2003 second-overall pick Charles Rogers would break his collarbone, sidelining him for the entirety of the season. Rookie running back Kevin Jones rushed for 1,133 yards, becoming just the third Lion to rush for over 1,000 yards in their rookie season.
Offseason
Coaching changes
After a bottom tier defensive performance the season prior, the Lions fired defensive coordinator Kurt Schottenheimer and hired former Chicago Bears head coach Dick Jauron as their new defensive coordinator.[1] Also from Chicago, the Lions brought in Larry Brooks as their defensive line coach.[2]
Free agency
Detroit re-signed defensive end James Hall who went on to lead the team in sacks with 11.5.
Detroit drafted two players in the first round: wide receiver Roy Williams and running back Kevin Jones. Williams would record 3,884 receiving yards and 29 receiving touchdowns before being traded to the Dallas Cowboys in 2008.[15] Jones would record 3,067 rushing yards and 24 rushing touchdowns in his four seasons with the Lions.[16] Detroit's second round selection, Teddy Lehman, spent four seasons with the Lions and recorded 2 interceptions, 148 combined tackles, and a sack.[16] Their third round selection, Keith Smith, spent five seasons with Detroit, recording 4 interceptions, 13 passes defended, and 159 combined tackles.[17] Linebacker Alex Lewis, their fifth round pick, spent his entire five year career with the Lions, recording one interception, two sacks, and 177 combined tackles.[18] Sixth-round pick offensive tackle Kelly Butler played only 16 games, all in 2005.[19]
Rookies in italics
53 active, 9 reserve, 7 practice squad
Preseason
Detroit started their preseason by hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Lions forced a fumble and scored on a Harrington pass to FitzSimmons to take an early 7–0 lead. The Steelers failed to get on the board when a Jeff Reed 54-yard field goal attempt came up short. After a Lions punt, the Steelers scored on a Ben Roethlisberger pass to Antwaan Randle El to tie the game. Detroit responded with a Hanson 46-yard field goal to go halftime up 10–7. They extended their lead early in the third with a Olandis Gary 1-yard touchdown. The Steelers responded with a 26-yard touchdown pass before Detroit extended their lead once again with a Chris Snyder 50-yard field goal and an Avon Cobourne 7-yard touchdown to go up 27–14. The Steelers responded with a 22-yard rushing touchdown, but wouldn't be able to score again as the Lions won 27–21.[22] For their second preseason game, the Lions traveled to face the Cleveland Browns. The Lions opened up the game with a Harrington 10-yard touchdown off the back of a Jeff Garcia fumble. The Browns responded with two Lee Suggs touchdown runs to go up 14–7 into halftime. The Lions looked to cut the deficit with a Chris Snyder 38-yard field goal, but he missed it wide right. But Snyder hit on a 21-yard field goal to bring the score to 14–10 heading into the fourth. A late Browns field goal and a turnover on downs solidified the 10–14 loss.[23]
The Lions stayed in the AFC North, heading to the Baltimore Ravens for their third preseason game. Detroit opened up the scoring with a Hanson 43-yard field goal before Baltimore tied it with their own 41-yard field goal. Another Hanson field goal put the Lions up 6–3 going into halftime. The Ravens took the first play of the second half 84-yards for the score to take the 10–6 lead. Another Baltimore touchdown would hand the Lions a 6–17 loss. In their final game of the preseason, the Lions hosted the Buffalo Bills. Buffalo took up half the first quarter with a touchdown drive, which the Lions responded with a Hanson 39-yard field goal and their own long touchdown drive to go up 10–7. A Buffalo field goal responded to by a Lions field goal set the score at 13–10 heading to halftime. Buffalo took the lead on a 4-yard touchdown run. With 1:09 left in the game and set up with good field position by a 43-yard Swinton return, the Lions scored a game-winning 26-yard touchdown to win 20–17.[24]
The Lions started their season 4–2 before suffering a 5-game losing streak before ending their season 6–10 and missing the playoffs. They suffered their fourth straight losing season and finished third in the NFC North. The offense, led by offensive coordinator Sherman Lewis, was 24th in both points and yards. The passing game, headed by three-year starter Joey Harrington, was 23rd in passing yards and 20th in passing touchdowns. Harrington passed for 3,047 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions; his 3,047 passing yards and 19 passing touchdowns would be career highs for Harrington. The run game was led by rookie Kevin Jones who finished with 1,133 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns, becoming just the third Lion since Billy Sims and Barry Sanders to rush for over 1,000 yards in their rookie season.[25] The run game finished 19th in rushing yards but 30th in rushing touchdowns. The defense, led by first-year defensive coordinator and former Chicago Bears head coach Dick Jauron, finished 18th in points allowed and 22nd in yards allowed. Cornerback Dré Bly lead the team in interceptions with four, including a pick-6, while defensive end James Hall led the team in sacks with 11½ and linebacker Earl Holmes led the team in combined tackles with 111. Kicker Jason Hanson went 24/28 on field goal attempts and 28/28 on extra point attempts while punter Nick Harris averaged 40.9 yards per punt.[26]
Detroit's second-round selection in 2003, linebacker Boss Bailey, would miss the entirety of the 2004 season after an injury in practice revealed torn cartilage.[27] Bailey went on the active roster towards the end of the season, but was placed back on injured reserve after Bailey said the injury was "holding [him] back mentally."[28] Wide receiver Charles Rogers, whom the Lions selected second overall in 2003, broke his collarbone during the Lions' season opener against the Chicago Bears and was lost for the season. Cornerback Dré Bly would injure his knee in the same game and wouldn't return until Week 6.[29] Detroit also lost running back Paul Smith for the season, placing him on injured reserve.[30] In Week 3, rookie running back Kevin Jones suffered a high-ankle sprain which sidelined him for the Week 5 game against Atlanta and lost cornerback Rod Babers for the season with a broken collarbone.[31] On the second-half opening kickoff during the Thanksgiving Day matchup against the Colts, return specialist Eddie Drummond fractured his shoulder blade, keeping him out for the rest of the season.[32] Robert Porcher, who had forgone retirement in the offseason to return to Detroit, chose to retire after not suiting up for a single Detroit game. Porcher retired with 95½ sacks with the team, the franchise leader.[33]
Schedule
In addition to their regular games with NFC North divisional rivals, the Lions played teams from the NFC East and AFC South according to the NFL's schedule rotation, and also played games against the Atlanta Falcons and the Arizona Cardinals, who had finished fourth in their respective divisions in 2003.
To begin their season, the Lions traveled to Soldier Field to face the Chicago Bears. The two teams punted on their opening drives before the Bears scored on a Thomas Jones 2-yard run. Following two punts, the Lions got a takeaway when a Rex Grossman deep-shot for Daryl Jones was intercepted by André Goodman. After four more punts, the Lions got on the board with a Jason Hanson 27-yard field goal to put the score at 7–3 Bears heading into halftime.[34]
The Lions punted on the first drive of the second half before the Bears looked to extend their lead with a Paul Edinger 27-yard field goal. On the attempt, the ball was blocked by Shaun Rogers and recovered by Bracy Walker and returned 92-yards for the touchdown. On the first play of Chicago's responding drive, Desmond Clark's fumbled a reception from Grossman which was recovered by Donté Curry. The turnover was followed by another turnover when Harrington was intercepted by Mike Green. This was followed by yet another turnover when James Hall strip-sacked Grossman which was recovered by Rogers. The Lions finally capitalized when Hanson scored from 21-yards out to bring their lead to 13–7. Both teams punted before a long Chicago drive was capped by another Jones 2-yard touchdown run to put the Bears ahead 14–13. The Lions quickly responded with a two-minute drive, scoring when Harrington found Az-Zahir Hakim for the 4-yard touchdown. After a Bears punt, the Lions burned nearly five minutes off the clock to give the Bears the ball back with four minutes left. The Bears went three-and-out, and punted, pinning the Lions at their own 8. The Lions, unable to move the ball, chose to take a safety instead of punting out of their own endzone. The Bears returned the ball 37 yards and moved it across mid-field. Grossman moved the Bears into the redzone and down to the Lions 12, but threw an interception to Walker, sealing the 20–16 win on the road for the Lions. This win snapped a 24-game road game losing streak, an NFL record.[34][35]
Week 2: vs. Houston Texans
Week 2: Houston Texans at Detroit Lions – Game summary
In their first home game of the season, the Lions hosted the Houston Texans. After starting the game with four straight punts, the Lions got good field position when running back Domanick Williams fumbled the ball away. Joey Harrington tossed an interception on the first play of that ensuing drive, but was saved by a roughing the passer penalty. But the Lions weren't able to come up with any points when Jason Hanson missed a 47-yard field goal wide right to keep it scoreless going into the second quarter. The Texans turned the ball over again on a David Carr pass that was intercepted by Keith Smith. The Lions got on the board with a Harrington 1-yard touchdown pass to Cory Schlesinger. The Texans responded with a Kris Brown 34-yard field goal to put the score at 7–3 heading into halftime.[36]
Detroit ended the first drive of the second half with a Harrington interception to Aaron Glenn, but got the ball right back when Domanick Williams fumbled on a pass from Carr. The Lions took that turnover 79-yards and scored on a Harrington pass to Roy Williams to go up 14–3. The Texans responded with a Carr long 54-yard touchdown pass to Andre Johnson. However, the Lions immediately responded when Eddie Drummond took the ensuing kickoff 99-yards for the score, putting the Lions ahead 21–10 heading into the fourth. The Texans looked to pull within three when Carr found Corey Bradford on the 27-yard touchdown pass, but the ensuing 2-point conversion failed, keeping the score at 21–16. The Lions extended their lead on a Harrington pass to Roy Williams to seal the 28–16 victory and rise to 2–0.[36]
Week 3: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Week 3: Philadelphia Eagles at Detroit Lions – Game summary
PHI – David Akers 26-yard field goal, 9:41. Philadelphia 24–7 Drive: 10 plays, 65 yards, 5:19.
PHI – David Akers 47-yard field goal, 6:42. Philadelphia 27–7 Drive: 4 plays, 7 yards, 1:13.
Fourth quarter
PHI – David Akers 39-yard field goal, 10:22. Philadelphia 30–7 Drive: 8 plays, 58 yards, 4:06.
DET – Roy Williams 29-yard pass from Joey Harrington (Joey Harrington–Tai Streets pass failed), 8:34. Philadelphia 30–13 Drive: 3 plays, 29 yards, 1:48.
In Week 3, the Lions hosted the eventual NFC-champion Philadelphia Eagles. After three punts to start the game, the Eagles got on the board first with a Donovan McNabb 1-yard touchdown run. After Joey Harrington was strip-sacked, McNabb found Terrell Owens on a 29-yard pass to go up 14–0. After a Lions punt, McNabb found his third touchdown with a 1-yard pass to Mike Bartrum. After two punts, the Lions scored with a Harrington pass to Roy Williams to put the halftime score at 21–7.[37]
The Eagles extended their lead with a David Akers 26-yard field goal and, after a Lions punt, a 47-yard field goal. After a turnover on downs, the Lions got the ball back on a fumble recovery. However, they went three-and-out, and the Eagles got another field goal, this time from 39-yards out, to go up 30–7. The Lions scored on a Harrington pass to Roy Williams to pull within 17. After another turnover on downs, the Lions sealed their 30–13 loss.[37]
Week 5: at Atlanta Falcons
Week 5: Detroit Lions at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Following their early bye week, the Lions traveled to the Georgia Dome to play the Atlanta Falcons. After six straight punts brought the game into the second quarter, the Falcons opened up the scoring after converting two fourth downs, including a fake punt, with a Warrick Dunn 2-yard rushing touchdown. The Lions responded when, on fourth-and-five, Joey Harrington found Az-Zahir Hakim on a 39-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7 apiece. On the first play of the Falcons' responding drive, Michael Vick threw an interception to linebacker Alex Lewis who returned it 33 yards to Atlanta's 2-yard line. Detroit punched it in for 6 on an Artose Pinner 1-yard run to go up 14–7 heading into halftime.[38]
The Lions punted on the first drive of the second half before getting the ball right back when Vick was strip-sacked by James Hall. The Lions failed to capitalize, however, when Jason Hanson missed a 48-yard field goal. After a Falcons punt, the Lions looked to give the ball right back on a punt. However, return man Allen Rossum muffed the catch, turning it over to Detroit. The Lions cashed in on the turnover with a Hanson 23-yard field goal. The Falcons responded with a Jay Feely 27-yard field goal to pull within a touchdown at 17–10. The Lions punted on a three-and-out before forcing the Falcons to punt with 5:47 left in the game. Detroit drained the rest of the clock out to seal the 17–10 victory and first place in the NFC North.[38][39]
Week 6: vs. Green Bay Packers
Week 6: Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions – Game summary
In Week 6, the Lions hosted the Green Bay Packers. The Lions went three-and-out on their first possession before the Packers drove 75 yards to score on a Donald Driver 7-yard pass from Brett Favre. The Lions responded with a scoring drive of their own, scoring when Joey Harrington found Az-Zahir Hakim for the 28-yard touchdown pass to tie it at 7 going into the second quarter. After the two teams exchanged two punts each, the Packers took the lead on a Favre 13-yard touchdown pass to Tony Fisher. After two punts, the Lions closed the lead with a Jason Hanson 48-yard field goal. After the next two drives ended in punts, the Packers responded with a Ryan Longwell 50-yard boot as time expired to put the score at 17–10 heading into halftime.[40]
The Packers punted on the opening drive of the half before an errant Harrington pass was intercepted by Darren Sharper and returned 36 yards for the touchdown. The Lions proceeded to turn it over on downs despite an Eddie Drummond 58-yard kickoff return. On the following drive, the Packers marched down the field before a 13-yard touchdown run from Najeh Davenport put the Packers up 31–10. The Lions punted before the Packers extended their lead with a 20-yard touchdown pass from their running back, Ahman Green, to seal the 38–10 loss for the Lions.[40]
Week 7: at New York Giants
Week 7: Detroit Lions at New York Giants – Game summary
In Week 7, the Lions traveled to face the New York Giants. The Lions got off to a hot start when they took the first drive of the game 70 yards, capped by a Joey Harrington 18-yard touchdown pass to Roy Williams. The Giants looked to respond before Kurt Warner was strip-sacked by James Hall, but the Lions couldn't capitalize and punted. The Giants got on the board with a big 62-yard touchdown pass from Warner to Tiki Barber to tie the game. The Lions moved into Giant territory with a 37-yard pass from Harrington to Williams, but after a sack, an offensive holding penalty, and another sack, they were forced to punt. The Giants took the lead with a Steve Christie 19-yard field goal on the following drive. After another Lions punt, the Giants looked poised to score points when they moved down to Detroit's 11, but a Warner pass was intercepted by Chris Cash to keep the score at 10–7 heading into halftime.[41]
The Giants punted on the first drive of the second half before the Lions cashed in a touchdown from Kevin Jones to take the lead 14–10. After two punts, the Giants lurched downfield on a 14-play drive to score on a Christie 25-yard field goal to pull within 1. The Lions stretched their lead with a Harrington 2-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Swinton to go up 21–13. After Warner threw three straight incompletions to turn the ball over on downs with 2:11 left the game, Artose Pinner scored the dagger 8-yard touchdown run to seal the 28–13 victory for Detroit and a 4–2 record.[41]
Week 8: at Dallas Cowboys
Week 8: Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
In Week 8, the Lions headed to Texas Stadium to face the Dallas Cowboys. The Lions opened the scoring early on a Joey Harrington 1-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Jones. Dallas responded with a long 15 play, 83-yard drive before Vinny Testaverde found Jason Witten for the 17-yard touchdown pass to tie it at 7 apiece. After three punts, the Cowboys moved to mid-field before Testaverde threw an interception to Dré Bly who returned it down the sideline for the 55-yard pick-six. The Cowboys kept up, scoring on a Testaverde 26-yard pass to Keyshawn Johnson. Dallas looked to score again when Lance Frazier returned a Lions punt 55-yards to Detroit's 28-yard line. However, Testaverde threw an interception at Detroit's 5-yard line, keeping it tied at 14–14 heading into halftime.[42]
On the first play of the second half, a flea flicker by Testaverde fell short, but a 43-yard defensive pass interference penalty from cornerback Chris Cash put the Cowboys at the Lions' 3-yard line. It took one play to score when Testaverde ran it in from 3 yards out to go up 21–14. The Lions took their responding drive into Dallas territory, but came up short and were forced to punt. A Dallas drive heading into Detroit territory was stopped short when Bly ran in front of Testaverde endzone shot, intercepting it and bringing it back 30 yards to Detroit's 28. Despite bringing it to Dallas' 34, the Lions punted. After forcing Dallas to punt, the Lions again entered Dallas territory, but a Harrington sack on fourth-and-one turned the ball back over to the Cowboys. The Cowboys extended their lead with a Billy Cundiff 40-yard field goal. The Lions quickly responded when Harrington found David Kircus on a curl route for the 50-yard touchdown pass to pull within a field goal. However, a long Testaverde pass found Johnson for the 38-yard touchdown pass. Harrington would throw an interception on the first play of the next drive to seal their 31–21 loss.[42]
Week 9: vs. Washington Redskins
Week 9: Washington Redskins at Detroit Lions – Game summary
In Week 9, the Lions hosted the Washington Redskins. Each team punted on each possession in the first quarter before a 43-yard punt return by James Thrash set the Redskins up in Detroit territory. Washington capitalized, kicking an Ola Kimrin 24-yard field goal to open the scoring. After four more punts, the Lions moved from their own 3-yard line with Harrington passes of 14, 16, and 14 yards to kick a 40-yard field goal as time expired in the first half.
The Redskins marched downfield with the help of two back-to-back 21-yard Clinton Portis rushes before Portis threw a touchdown pass to Laveranues Coles to go up 10–3. Both teams punted on their next two plays, before the Lions looked to punt it away again after being stopped on 3rd and 2. However, the punt by Nick Harris was blocked by Taylor Jacobs, recovered by Walt Harris and brought back 13 yards for the touchdown. The Lions punted on their next drive before a Kimrin 51-yard field goal attempt came up short. After two more punts, the Lions looked poised to put points on the board when they moved into Washington territory. Getting down to Washingtons' 18, the Lions got backed up due to an offensive holding call. On 4th and 18 from Washingtons' 28, Harrington threw an interception to Fred Smoot, turning the ball over with 6:25 to play. After Washington failed to capitalize, the Lions moved within one score after a Harrington pass to Az-Zahir Hakim went for 33 yards which helped them score on a 1-yard touchdown pass to Cory Schlesinger. Washington couldn't seal the deal and punted with 1:36 left. Pinned inside their own 2-yard line, the Lions converted a 4th and 4 and moved down to their 43-yard line with 0:06 left. However, the last play fell short, sealing the 10–17 loss as the Lions fell to 4–4.
Week 10: at Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 10: Detroit Lions at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary
In Week 10, the Lions traveled to Alltel Stadium to face the Jacksonville Jaguars. After the Lions punted on the first drive of the game, the Jaguars, with help from a Fred Taylor 42-yard punt return, got on the board with a LaBrandon Toefield 12-yard pass from David Garrard. After six punts led the game into the second quarter, Lions' quarterback Joey Harrington threw an interception to Rashean Mathis. The Jaguars would proceed to turn it over on downs. The Lions looked to score points when they headed into Jacksonville territory, getting down to their 14-yard line. The Lions lined up for a 32-yard field goal on fourth down, but kicker Jason Hanson missed it wide left, keeping the Lions scoreless. The Jaguars headed deep into Lions territory, but a defensive stop on 2nd and goal from the 1 led the Jaguars to kick a 31-yard field goal, which Josh Scobee made to put the Jags up 10–0 headed into halftime.[43]
The Jags took the opening drive of the second half 80 yards over 15 plays to score on a Greg Jones 1-yard rush. After three punts, the Lions looked to get the ball back after a defensive stop on 3rd and 1. On the punt return, Eddie Drummond took it 55-yards for the touchdown, putting the Lions on the board. After a turnover on downs in Detroit territory, Detroit, following a big 46-yard Roy Williams reception, made it a 1-score game after a Hanson 21-yard field goal. After three punts, the Lions failed to capitalize on a drive starting at Jacksonville's 38, turning it over on downs. With 1:22 left in the game, the Jaguars couldn't get a game-sealing first down. On the punt, Eddie Drummond caught it at his own 17-yard line, returning it 83-yards for the game-tying punt return touchdown, forcing overtime tied 17–17.[43]
Jacksonville won the overtime coin toss and took the ball starting at their own 24-yard line. The Jags converted two third downs, moving into Detroit territory with chunk plays. On 3rd and 8 from Detroit's 36, Garrard found receiver Jimmy Smith who ran it 36 yards for the game-winning touchdown, pushing the Lions below .500 at 4–5.[43]
Week 11: at Minnesota Vikings
Week 11: Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
In Week 11, Detroit traveled to the Metrodome to face the Minnesota Vikings. Electing to receive the opening kickoff, the Lions instantly scored when Eddie Drummond returned the kick 92-yards for the score. The Vikings instantly responded when a Daunte Culpepper 61-yard pass to Kelly Campbell helped the Vikings score on another Culpepper pass, this time to Jermaine Wiggins, to even the score at 7 apiece. The Lions took the lead when, on the responding drive, they drove 60 yards to score on a Joey Harrington 1-yard touchdown pass to Stephen Alexander. Both teams punted on their next drives before the Vikings moved deep into Detroit territory. On 4th and 1 from Detroit's 8, a Culpepper pass fell incomplete to turn the ball over on downs. The Lions drove 62 yards to kick a Jason Hanson 48-yard field goal. Culpepper threw an interception before time expired to end the first half with the Lions ahead 17–7.[44]
After a Minnesota punt, Detroit punter Nick Harris booted a punt that pinned Minnesota inside the 2-yard line. This paid off when a run by Onterrio Smith was stuffed by Cory Redding, resulting in a safety to give the Lions a 19–7 lead. The Lions punted after getting the ball, and the Vikings took 8:11 off the clock with a 17 play, 78 yard drive ending with a Culpepper pass to Nate Burleson. The two-point conversion to put the Vikings within 2 failed, putting the score at 19–15. The Lions failed to gain any traction as they punted again. The Vikings took the lead when Moe Williams punched it in for 6, giving them a 22–19 advantage. On their responding drive, the Lions punted, which was followed by a Vikings punt inside the two-minute warning. With 1:49 left in the game, Harrington threw an interception on the first play of their final drive, falling 22–19.
Week 12: vs. Indianapolis Colts
Week 12: Indianapolis Colts at Detroit Lions – Game summary
^ abcSt. Louis clinched the NFC #5 seed instead of Minnesota or New Orleans based on better conference record (7–5 to Minnesota’s 5–7 to New Orleans’ 6–6).
^ abMinnesota clinched the NFC #6 seed instead of New Orleans based on head-to-head victory.
^ abcdeDetroit finished ahead of Arizona and New York Giants based upon head-to-head record (2–0 versus Arizona’s 1–1 and New York Giants’ 0–2). Division tiebreak was initially used to eliminate Dallas and Washington.
^ abcNew York Giants finished ahead of Dallas and Washington in the NFC East based on better head-to-head record (3–1 to Dallas‘ 2–2 to Washington’s 1–3).
^ abDallas finished ahead of Washington in the NFC East based on head-to-head sweep.
^ abTampa Bay finished ahead of Chicago based upon head-to-head victory.
^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.
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