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.[1] The Lions have started the season (7–1) for the first time since 1956.[a]
On November 5, the Lions acquired defensive end Za'Darius Smith and a 7th round pick in the 2026 NFL draft in exchange for a 5th and 6th round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.[46]
The Lions opened the regular season at home against the Los Angeles Rams. 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. 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. After 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 NFL history to record four or more sacks in a game after Willie Gay and Keith Ferguson.[69]
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.[70] 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.[71][72]
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 Lions scored the final points of the game via a 44-yard field goal 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.[73]
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.
^ abMinnesota wins tie break over Philadelphia based on strength of victory.
^ abChicago wins tie break over LA Rams based on head-to-head victory. Division tie break was initially used to eliminate San Francisco (see below).
^ abLA Rams wins tie break over San Francisco based on head-to-head victory.
^ abTampa Bay wins tie break over Seattle based on conference record.
^ abCarolina wins tie break over NY Giants based on conference record. Division tie break was initially used to eliminate New Orleans (see below).
^ abCarolina wins tie break over New Orleans based on division record.
^ abNew Orleans wins tie break over NY Giants based on conference record.
^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.