The 2024 season is the Detroit Lions' 95th season in the National Football League (NFL), their 91st in Detroit, and their fourth under the head coach/general manager tandem of Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes. They improved on their 12–5 record from the previous season and defended their NFC North title. After a blowout week 11 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars, they secured their third consecutive winning season for the first time since 1995. With their week 12 victory against the Indianapolis Colts, the Lions became the first team to reach 10 wins in the 2024 season, making this the first time a Lions team had accomplished this feat since 1934, as well as their first consecutive 10+ win seasons in franchise history. In Week 13, the Lions won their first Thanksgiving game since 2016.
After a win against the Minnesota Vikings in the final game of the regular season, the Lions won their second consecutive division title and clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC for the first time in franchise history. They swept the NFC North for the first time, which was the best single-season division in NFL history by combined winning percentage. The Lions were also the only team in the 2024 season who swept their division. The Lions finished the regular season with a franchise record 15–2 record, tied for the most wins in the 2024 season with the Kansas City Chiefs. The Lions became the second team to win 15 games since the 2015 Carolina Panthers after the Chiefs, and the first NFC team to do so. They also became the first team in franchise history to go undefeated on the road.
The focal point of the Lions' success was the offense; their 564 total points scored were the most in the NFL and the fourth most ever in a regular season.[1] Pro Bowler Jahmyr Gibbs, previously paired with David Montgomery forming the "Sonic and Knuckles" running back tandem before Montgomery got injured against the Bills, scored a franchise record and league-leading 20 touchdowns.
The Lions debuted updated uniforms with a classic font including a new alternate consisting of blue lettering on black jerseys and matching black pants and black socks and a blue helmet with a black lion graphic.[2]
On November 5, the Lions acquired defensive end Za'Darius Smith and a 7th round pick in the 2026 NFL draft from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a 5th and 6th round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.[49]
The Lions opened the regular season at home against the Los Angeles Rams, in a rematch of the 2023 NFC Wild Card game. The Rams opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 41-yard field goal by Joshua Karty. The Lions scored ten points in the second quarter via a 25-yard field goal by Jake Bates and a one-yard touchdown run from Jahmyr Gibbs, which made the score 10–3 in favor of Detroit at half-time. The Lions extended their lead in the third quarter via a 52-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to Jameson Williams. The Rams responded with a two-yard touchdown run from Kyren Williams. The Rams scored ten points in the fourth quarter via a 26-yard field goal by Karty and a nine-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Cooper Kupp, to regain the lead. The Lions responded with a 32-yard field goal by Bates with 17 seconds remaining in the game to force overtime. On the first possession of overtime, the Lions scored via a one-yard touchdown run from David Montgomery, making the final score 26–20 in favor of Detroit.
In week 2, the Lions hosted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in a rematch of the 2023 NFC Divisional Round game. Tampa Bay scored six points in the first quarter via two field goals by Chase McLaughlin from 30-yards, and 55-yards, respectively. The Lions responded with a 22-yard field goal by Jake Bates. The Lions scored in the second quarter via a 35-yard field goal by Bates to tie the game. The Buccaneers regained the lead via a 41-yard touchdown pass from Baker Mayfield to Chris Godwin, which made the score 13–6 in favor of Tampa Bay at half-time. The Lions scored ten points in the third quarter via a 32-yard field goal by Bates and a one-yard touchdown run from David Montgomery to take their first lead of the game. The Buccaneers responded with an 11-yard touchdown run from Mayfield to regain the lead. In a scoreless fourth quarter, the Lions' attempted comeback failed after turning the ball over on downs after three consecutive incomplete passes by Jared Goff, making the final score 20–16 in favor of Tampa Bay. Aidan Hutchinson recorded 4.5 sacks, the third player in Lions history to record four or more sacks in a game after William Gay and Keith Ferguson.[72]
In week 3, the Lions visited the Arizona Cardinals. The Lions opened the scoring in the first quarter via a one-yard touchdown run form David Montgomery. The Cardinals responded with a ten-yard touchdown pass from Kyler Murray to Marvin Harrison Jr. to tie the game. The Lions scored 13 points in the second quarter via a five-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to Amon-Ra St. Brown and a 20-yard touchdown pass from Goff to Jahmyr Gibbs. The Cardinals scored the final points of the quarter via a 42-yard field goal by Matt Prater as time expired in the first half, which made the score 20–10 in favor of Detroit at half-time. After a scoreless third quarter, the Cardinals scored the only points of the fourth quarter via a 45-yard field goal by Prater, making the final score 20–13 in favor of Detroit.
In week 4, the Lions hosted the Seattle Seahawks. The Lions opened the scoring in the first quarter via a one-yard touchdown run from David Montgomery. The Lions scored 14 points in the second quarter via two rushing touchdowns by Jahmyr Gibbs from three-yards, and one-yard, respectively. The Seahawks responded with a one-yard touchdown run from Kenneth Walker III, which made the score 21–7 in favor of Detroit at half-time. The Seahawks scored 13 points in the third quarter via a nine-yard touchdown pass from Geno Smith to AJ Barner and a one-yard touchdown run from Walker III. The Lions scored 14 points in the quarter via a seven-yard touchdown pass from Amon-Ra St. Brown to Jared Goff, and a 70-yard touchdown pass from Goff to Jameson Williams. The teams exchanged touchdowns in the fourth quarter, first a 21-yard touchdown run from Walker III for the Seahawks, then an eight-yard touchdown pass from Goff to St. Brown for the Lions. The Seahawks scored the final points of the game after Goff was sacked in the endzone by Dre'Mont Jones for a safety, making the final score 42–29 in favor of Detroit. The win marked Lions' first victory against the Seahawks since 2012, snapping a six-game losing streak.[73] Goff finished the game a perfect 18-for-18 for 292 yards and two touchdowns, becoming the first player in NFL history with a perfect completion percentage in a game with a minimum of 15 passes.[74][75]
Following their bye week, in week 6, the Lions visited the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 34-yard field goal by Brandon Aubrey. The Lions responded with a 16-yard touchdown run from David Montgomery. The Lions scored 20 points in the second quarter via a 40-yard field goal by Jake Bates, a 40-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to Sam LaPorta, a 48-yard field goal by Bate and a one-yard touchdown run from Montgomery. The Cowboys scored the final points of the half via a 34-yard field goal by Aubrey, which made the score 27–6 in favor of Detroit at half-time. The Lions extended their lead in the third quarter via a 37-yard touchdown pass from Goff to Jameson Williams. The teams then exchanged field goals, first a 50-yard field goal by Aubrey for the Cowboys, then a 33-yard field goal by Bates for the Lions. The Lions scored ten points in the fourth quarter via a 33-yard field goal by Bates and a four-yard touchdown pass from Goff to Amon-Ra St. Brown, making the final score 47–9 in favor of Detroit. However, that victory was marred when Aidan Hutchinson suffered a broken tibia and fibula in the third quarter. Originally thought to be season-ending, Lions head coach Dan Campbell said that Hutchinson would need "4 to 6 months" to recover.
In week 7, the Lions visited their divisional rival, the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings scored ten points in the first quarter via a 34-yard touchdown run from Aaron Jones and a 57-yard field goal by Will Reichard. The Lions scored 21 points in the second quarter via a 45-yard touchdown run from Jahmyr Gibbs, a 35-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to Amon-Ra St. Brown, and an eight-yard touchdown run from Gibbs, which made the score 21–10 in favor of Detroit at half-time. The teams exchanged touchdowns in the third quarter, first a 25-yard touchdown pass from Sam Darnold to Justin Jefferson for the Vikings, then a 21-yard touchdown pass from Goff to Kalif Raymond for the Lions. The Vikings scored 12 points in the fourth quarter via two field goals by Reichard, from 42-yards, and 48-yards, respectively, and a 36-yard fumble return by Ivan Pace Jr., to regain the lead. The Vikings, however, failed a two-point conversion following their defensive touchdown, which gave the Lions an opportunity to retake the lead with field goal, and did so a 44-yarder by Jake Bates with 15 seconds remaining in the game, making the final score 31–29 in favor of Detroit. With the win, the Lions moved into first place in the division.
In week 8, the Lions hosted the Tennessee Titans. The Lions opened the scoring in the first quarter via a seven-yard touchdown run from David Montgomery. The Titans responded with an 11-yard touchdown run from Mason Rudolph to tie the game. The Lions responded with a 70-yard touchdown run from Jahmyr Gibbs to regain the lead. The Titans tied the game in second quarter via a five-yard touchdown pass from Rudolph to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. The Lions scored 21 points in the quarter via an eight-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to Brock Wright, a one-yard touchdown pass from Goff to Amon-Ra St. Brown, and a three-yard touchdown pass from Montgomery to Sam LaPorta, which made the score 35–14 in favor of Detroit at half-time. The Lions scored 17 points in the third quarter via a 90-yard punt return by Kalif Raymond, a seven-yard touchdown pass from Goff to Raymond, and a 51-yard field goal by Jake Bates. After a scoreless fourth quarter, the Lions won the game by a final score 52–14 in favor of Detroit. With the win, the Lions improved to 6–1 to start the season for the first time since 1956.[76]
In week 9, the Lions visited their divisional rival, the Green Bay Packers. The Packers opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 30-yard field goal by Brandon McManus. The Lions scored 17 points in the second quarter via a three-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to Amon-Ra St. Brown, a 27-yard field goal by Jake Bates, and a 27-yard interception return by Kerby Joseph, which made the score 17–3 in favor of Detroit at half-time. The Lions extended their lead in the third quarter via a 15-yard touchdown run from Jahmyr Gibbs. The Packers responded with a 38-yard field goal by McManus. The Packers scored the only points of the fourth quarter via a two-yard touchdown run from Emanuel Wilson, and a two-point conversion pass from Jordan Love to Christian Watson, making the final score 24–14 in favor of Detroit.
In week 10, the Lions visited the Houston Texans. The Texans scored ten points in the first quarter via an eight-yard touchdown run from Joe Mixon and a 34-yard field goal by Kaʻimi Fairbairn. The Lions got on the board in the second quarter via a 20-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to Sam LaPorta. The Texans responded with 13 points in the quarter via two field goals by Fairbairn, from 56-yards, and 29-yards, respectively, and a 15-yard touchdown pass from C. J. Stroud to John Metchie III, which made the score 23–7 in favor of Houston at half-time. The Texans were held scoreless in the second-half, as the Lions scored 19 unanswered points. The Lions scored six points in the third quarter via a three-yard touchdown run from David Montgomery. The Lions scored 13 points in the fourth quarter via a nine-yard touchdown pass from Goff to Amon-Ra St. Brown, and two field goals by Jake Bates, from 58-yards, and 52-yards respectively. Bates scored the game-winning field goal as time expired, making the final score 26–23 in favor of Detroit. Jared Goff threw a career-high five interceptions during the game. The Lions became the first team to win when throwing five or more interceptions in a game since Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons defeated the Arizona Cardinals on November 18, 2012.[77] The Lions also became the first team since the 1970 Baltimore Colts to win after overcoming a deficit of at least 15 points while throwing five or more interceptions.[78]
In week 11, the Lions hosted the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 59-yard field goal by Cam Little. The Lions responded with a two-yard touchdown run from David Montgomery to take the lead. The Lions added to their lead in the second quarter with 21 points via a one-yard touchdown run from Jahmyr Gibbs, a six-yard touchdown run from Montgomery and a 27-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to Amon-Ra St. Brown. The Jaguars scored the final points of the half via a 35-yard field goal by Little, which made the score 28–6 in favor of Detroit at half-time. The Lions scored 14 points in the third quarter via a 64-yard touchdown pass from Goff to Jameson Williams and a five-yard touchdown pass from Goff to Brock Wright. The Lions scored ten points in the fourth quarter via a nine-yard touchdown pass from Goff to St. Brown and a 54-yard field goal by Jake Bates, making the final score 52–6 in favor of Detroit.
With the win, the Lions improved to 9–1 to start the season, their best ten-game start to a season since starting 10–0 in 1934. This was their eighth consecutive win, setting a franchise record for the most consecutive wins in a single season in the Super Bowl era, and their most since winning ten in a row in 1934.[79] The Lions scored touchdowns on their first seven possessions of the game, the first NFL team to accomplish this feat since the 2007 New England Patriots. The Lions also set a franchise record with 645 total yards of offense and set another franchise record in margin of victory with the 46 point margin.[80]
In week 12, the Lions visited the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 27-yard field goal by Matt Gay. The Lions scored 14 points in the second quarter via a one-yard touchdown run from Jahmyr Gibbs and a six-yard touchdown run from David Montgomery. The Colts scored via a 29-yard field goal by Gay, which made the score 14–6 in favor of Detroit at half-time. The Colts were held scoreless in the second-half. The Lions extended their lead in the third quarter via a five-yard touchdown run from Gibbs. The Lions scored the game's final points in the fourth quarter via a 56-yard field goal by Jake Bates, making the final score 24–6 in favor of Detroit.
For their annual Thanksgiving Day game, the Lions hosted their divisional rival, the Chicago Bears. The Lions opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 30-yard field goal by Jake Bates. The Lions scored 13 points in the second quarter via a three-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to Sam LaPorta and two field goals by Bates from 36-yards, and 48-yards, respectivey, which made the score 16–0 in favor of Detroit at half-time. The Bears got on the board in the third quarter via a 31-yard touchdown pass from Caleb Williams to Keenan Allen. The Lions responded with a one-yard touchdown pass from Goff to LaPorta. The Bears scored 13 points in the fourth quarter via a nine-yard touchdown pass from Williams to Allen and a 31-yard touchdown pass from Williams to D. J. Moore, cutting the Lions’ lead to three points. On their final drive, the Bears had a chance to tie the game; however, with approximately 30 seconds remaining, Williams was sacked which knocked the Bears out of field goal range. On the final play of the game, Bears head coach Matt Eberflus declined to use his team's final timeout. With the clock running out, Williams threw a desperation pass towards the end zone to Rome Odunze, which was incomplete, allowing the Lions to hold on for a 23–20 win.[81] This marked their first Thanksgiving Day victory since 2016.
The victory came with significant defensive personnel losses, as defensive linemen Levi Onwuzurike (hamstring) and Josh Paschal (knee) exited the game, and linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez suffered a season-ending ACL tear. These injuries added to Detroit's existing defensive challenges, with several key players already on injured reserve, including Pro Bowler edge rusherAidan Hutchinson and linebacker Alex Anzalone.[82]
In week 14, the Lions hosted their divisional rival, the Green Bay Packers. The Lions opened the scoring in the first quarter via a three-yard touchdown run from David Montgomery. The Lions extended their lead in the second quarter via a 43-yard field goal by Jake Bates. The Packers finally got on the board via a one-yard touchdown run from Josh Jacobs. The Lions scored the final points of the half via a two-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to Jahmyr Gibbs, which made the score 17–7 in favor of Detroit at half-time. The Packers scored 14 points in the third quarter via a 12-yard touchdown pass from Jordan Love to Tucker Kraft and a six-yard touchdown run from Jacobs, giving the Packers their first lead of the game. The Lions responded with a three-yard touchdown pass from Goff to Tim Patrick to regain the lead. The teams exchanged touchdowns in the fourth quarter, first a four-yard touchdown run from Jacobs for the Packers, then a one-yard touchdown pass from Goff to Patrick for the Lions. The Packers tied the game via a 32-yard field goal by Brandon McManus. The Lions scored the final points of the game via a 35-yard field goal by Bates as time expired, making the final score 34–31 in favor of Detroit. With their win, the Lions clinched a playoff berth for the second consecutive season. This marks the first time the Lions have made the playoffs in consecutive seasons since 1995.[83]
In week 15, the Lions hosted the Buffalo Bills. The Bills scored 14 points in the first quarter via two rushing touchdowns by Josh Allen, from one-yard, and four-yards, respectively. The Lions got on the board in the second quarter via a 12-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to Tim Patrick. The Bills responded with a six-yard touchdown run from James Cook. The Lions scored the final points of the half via a nine-yard touchdown pass from Goff to Dan Skipper, which made the score 21–14 in favor of Buffalo at half-time. The Bills scored 14 points in the third quarter via a 41-yard touchdown run from Cook and a three-yard touchdown pass from Allen to Khalil Shakir. The Lions responded with a 66-yard touchdown pass from Goff to Amon-Ra St. Brown. The Bills scored 13 points in the fourth quarter via a five-yard touchdown pass from Allen to Ray Davis, and two field goals by Bass, from 50-yards, and 41-yards, respectively. The Lions scored 21 points in the quarter via a 12-yard touchdown pass from Goff to Jahmyr Gibbs, a one-yard touchdown run from Gibbs, and a three-yard touchdown pass from Goff to Jameson Williams, making the final score 48–42 in favor of Buffalo. The loss snapped a franchise-record 11 game winning streak for the Lions.[84]
In week 16, the Lions visited their division rival, the Chicago Bears. The Lions scored 13 points in the first period via a 30-yard field goal by Jake Bates, a one-yard touchdown run from Jahmyr Gibbs and a 34-yard field goal by Bates. The Lions scored 14 points in the second quarter via an 82-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to Jameson Williams and an eight-yard touchdown pass from Goff to Amon-Ra St. Brown. The Bears scored 14 points in the quarter via a one-yard touhdown pass from Caleb Williams to Cole Kmet and a 45-yard touchdown pass from Williams to Keenan Allen, which made the score 27–14 in favor of Detroit at half-time. The Lions extended their lead in the third quarter via a 21-yard touchdown pass from Goff to Sam LaPorta. The Bears responded with a 30-yard field goal by Cairo Santos. After a scoreless fourth quarter, the Lions won the game by a final score 34–17 in favor of Detroit. With the win, the Lions set a franchise record for wins in a season with 13.[85]
In week 17, the Lions visited the San Francisco 49ers, in a rematch of the 2023 NFC Championship Game. The 49ers opened the scoring in the first quarter via a three-yard touchdown pass from Brock Purdy to Ricky Pearsall. The Lions responded with a three-yard touchdown run from Jameson Williams. The 49ers scored 14 points in the second quarter via a nine-yard touchdown pass from Purdy to Kyle Juszczyk and a nine-yard touchdown run from Purdy. The Lions scored via a 41-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to Williams, which made the score 21–13 in favor of San Francisco at half-time. The Lions opened the scoring in the third quarter via a six-yard touchdown pass from Goff to Sam LaPorta, and a two-point conversion pass from Goff to Tim Patrick to tie the game. The 49ers responded with a five-yard touchdown pass from Purdy to Deebo Samuel to regain the lead. The Lions scored the final ten points of the quarter via a 57-yard field goal by Jake Bates and a four-yard touchdown pass from Goff to Amon-Ra St. Brown, to take their first lead of the game. The Lions scored nine points in the fourth quarter via a 42-yard field goal by Bates and a 30-yard touchdown run from Jahmyr Gibbs. The 49ers scored the final points of the game via a seven-yard touchdown run from Joshua Dobbs, making the final score 40–34 in favor of Detroit. With the win, the Lions became the only team during the 2024 NFL season to finish the season undefeated on the road with an 8–0 record, and the first team in franchise history to do so. They became the sixth team since the 2000 NFL season to accomplish this feat, and the first since the 2020 Kansas City Chiefs.[86] The Lions also tied the NFL record with their sixth 40-point game of the season.[87] It was also the first time that the Lions had won a game in San Francisco since 1975, snapping a 14 game winless streak.[88]
In week 18, the Lions hosted their divisional rival, the Minnesota Vikings. The Lions opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 25-yard touchdown run from Jahmyr Gibbs. The Vikings scored six points in the second quarter via two field goals by Will Reichard, from 25-yards, and 31-yards, respectively. The Lions scored the final points of the half via a 48-yard field goal by Jake Bates as time expired, which made the score 10–6 in favor of Detroit at half-time. The Vikings scored in the third quarter via a 51-yard field goal by Reichard. The Lions responded with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to Gibbs. The Lions scored 14 points in the fourth quarter via two touchdown runs from Gibbs, from 13-yards, and four-yards, respectively, making the final score 31–9 in favor of Detroit. With their win, the Lions clinched the NFC North division, the number 1 seed in the NFC, a first-round bye, and home-field advantage throughout the entire NFC playoffs.[89][90] With his four touchdowns in the game, Gibbs set the single-season franchise record for touchdowns scored with 20.[91]