2011 Detroit Lions season
Encyclopedia
The 2011
Detroit Lions
season is the franchise's 82nd season in the National Football League
, the 10th playing its home games at Ford Field
and the third year under head coach Jim Schwartz
. Currently 7–4, the team has improved on its 6–10 record from 2010
, which is its third consecutive improved season, and first 7 win season since 2007
. The Lions' 5–0 start was their best since the 1956 season
.
and an undisclosed pick in the 2013 NFL Draft
to the Philadelphia Eagles
for running back Ronnie Brown
, but the deal was voided due to Jerome Harrison
not passing a physical for the Eagles. On October 20, Adam Schefter of ESPN
reported that Harrison failed the physical because doctors discovered a brain tumor
. Harrison had surgery on October 21 and was placed on the injured reserve list for the remainder of the season.
The same day, the Lions signed free agent running back Eldra Buckley
to replace Harrison in the lineup.
to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
. The Lions scored first in the first quarter with a 23-yard field goal by Jason Hanson. The Buccaneers tied it up with a 38-yard field goal by Connor Barth
, then took the lead when Aqib Talib
intercepted a pass from Matthew Stafford and ran it in 28 yards. The Lions responded with a 28-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Detroit took the lead with a 36-yard touchdown catch by Calvin Johnson, and later added more points when Tony Scheffler caught an 11-yard TD pass. Tampa Bay responded with a 31-yard field goal just before halftime. The second half was relatively quiet, with each team only scoring one touchdown. First, Detroit's Calvin Johnson caught a 1-yard pass in the third quarter. The game's final points came when Mike Williams of Tampa Bay caught a 5-yard pass. The Lions won their regular season opener for the first time since 2007
.
. The Lions scored first when Calvin Johnson caught a 15-yard pass for a touchdown. Kansas City then scored their only points of the game with a 33-yard field goal by Ryan Succop
. In the second quarter, the Lions' Tony Scheffler caught a 36-yard pass for a touchdown. They added to their lead with two field goals from Jason Hanson, from 51 and 28 yards respectively. After halftime, the Lions scored four consecutive touchdowns, three of which followed Kansas City turnovers. First, Calvin Johnson scored on a 1-yard catch. Afterward, Jahvid Best scored two consecutive touchdowns in the fourth quarter, first with a 9-yard catch, and later on a 1-yard run. The Lions capped their blowout victory with a 1-yard run by Keiland Williams. The blowout win set the franchise record for largest margin of victory. It was the first time the Lions went 2–0 since 2007. Lions QB Matthew Stafford - who completed 23 of 39 passes, threw for 294 yards and 4 touchdowns - won the FedEx Air NFL Player of the Week for his performance.
the Minnesota Vikings
. The first half was all Minnesota. In the first quarter, the Vikings' Ryan Longwell
made two consecutive field goals, from 33 and 41 yards out respectively. The second quarter featured two consecutive Minnesota touchdowns: first on a 6-yard run by Adrian Peterson, and next on an 8-yard catch by Visanthe Shiancoe
. After halftime, the Lions mounted a comeback. In the third quarter, Detroit's Calvin Johnson caught a 32-yard pass for a touchdown. They added more points with a 28-yard field goal by Jason Hanson. In the fourth quarter, Calvin Johnson caught another touchdown pass, this one from 5 yards out. Detroit then tied it up with a 50-yard field goal, and took their first lead of the game, 23–20, after a 40-yard Jason Hanson 3-pointer. Minnesota tied it up again with a 49-yard field goal late in the game, taking it to overtime. Detroit won the coin toss and got the ball first, then scored a 32-yard field goal to win the game. Detroit's 20-point comeback was biggest on the road in team history. It was also the first time the Lions beat the Vikings at the Metrodome since 1997
, and the first time the Lions started 3–0 since 1980
.
to take on the Dallas Cowboys
. The Cowboys dominated the first half, putting the Lions in a big hole for the second straight week. First came a 25-yard touchdown catch by Dez Bryant
. In the second quarter, Bryant scored again on a 6-yard touchdown catch. Dallas added more points with a 41-yard field goal by Dan Bailey
. The Lions then got their only points of the first half with a 33-yard field goal by Jason Hanson. The Cowboys responded with a 35-yard field goal just before halftime. After the break, Dallas added more points with a 1-yard touchdown pass to Jason Witten
, putting them up 27–3. The Lions responded with two consecutive defensive touchdowns: first a 34-yard interception return by Bobby Carpenter, then a 56-yard pick-6 by Chris Houston. The Cowboys scored their final points of the game with a 23-yard field goal late in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, the Lions continued their comeback with a 23-yard touchdown catch by Calvin Johnson. They made it a three-point game with a 51-yard field goal by Jason Hanson, and took their first lead of the game late in the final quarter when Calvin Johnson caught his second touchdown of the game from 2 yards out to become only the second player in NFL history to record at least two touchdown catches in 4 straight games. (The other to do so is former Vikings receiver Cris Carter
.) The Lions defense held off Dallas for the win. Like the previous week, the Lions came back and won it in the final moments of the game after being down by a large margin at halftime. This was also the largest comeback the Dallas Cowboys have ever allowed, and it is the largest comeback by a road team in NFL history as the Cowboys were up by 24 in the 3rd quarter. It was the first time the Lions started 4–0 since 1980
. This also was its franchise-record fifth straight road win. Ironically, their last game at Dallas saw the Lions lose their franchise-record 26th straight road game.
. It was the first ever Monday Night Football
game at Ford Field, the first MNF appearance for the Lions since 2001
, and the first Monday night game in the city of Detroit since 1974
. Neither team scored in the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Lions got an early lead with a 73-yard catch and run by Calvin Johnson. With this, Johnson became the first receiver in NFL history to record 9 touchdown catches in a season's first five games. The Bears got on the board with a 44-yard field goal by Robbie Gould
, and took the lead with a 9-yard catch by Kellen Davis
. After halftime, the Lions regained the lead and never gave it back. First came an 18-yard TD catch by Brandon Pettigrew. A few minutes later, Detroit's Jahvid Best ran in a TD from 88 yards out, the second longest touchdown run in franchise history. Each team scored a field goal in the fourth quarter: first one by Chicago from 49 yards out, then a 31-yarder by Jason Hanson that completed the scoring. With the win, the Lions also started 5–0 for the first time since 1956
. Ford Field's record crowd of nearly 68,000 fans caused 9 false start penalties by the Bears.
Division-leading San Francisco 49ers
. The Lions struck first, when Jason Hanson kicked a 25-yard field goal that came after a San Francisco turnover. Detroit added to their lead when Brandon Pettigrew caught a 16-yard TD pass. In the second quarter, the 49ers finally got on the board with a 1-yard TD run by Frank Gore
. San Francisco received a safety when Aldon Smith
sacked Matthew Stafford in the end zone. The final points of the first half came just before intermission when David Akers
of the 49ers kicked a 55-yard field goal, putting the Lions down at halftime for the fourth consecutive week. After the break, Detroit scored on a 24-yard field goal. San Francisco responded with a field goal of their own, this one from 31 yards out. In the fourth quarter, the Lions' Nate Burleson caught a 5-yard TD pass; the Lions went for a 2-point conversion but Calvin Johnson failed to catch Matthew Stafford's pass. In the final 2 minutes, the 49ers rallied from behind, first with a 6-yard yard TD catch by Delanie Walker
, then a 37-yard field goal by David Akers, putting them up 25–19. With 1:02 left in the game, the Lions attempted another comeback, but San Francisco's defense held them off, handing Detroit its first loss of the season.
. The Lions took an early lead with a 43-yard field goal by Jason Hanson that came after a Falcons turnover. The Falcons tied it up with a field goal of their own, this one a 23-yarder by Matt Bryant
. Atlanta took the lead with a 1-yard quarterback sneak by Matt Ryan
. In the second quarter, Jason Hanson kicked another field goal, this time from 38 yards out. Atlanta scored the final points of the first half when Roddy White
caught an 18-yard touchdown pass. After halftime, Jason Hanson kicked his third field goal, this one from 29 yards. Atlanta responded with a 47-yard field goal. Late in the third quarter, Detroit scored their only touchdown of the game, with a 57-yard catch and run by Calvin Johnson. The only points of the fourth quarter came a 40-yard Falcons field goal.
. The Broncos scored their only points of the first half on their opening drive, getting a 39-yard field goal from Matt Prater
. With a 41-yard touchdown catch by Titus Young, the Lions took the lead and never gave it back. In the second quarter, Jason Hanson kicked a 50-yard field goal. Next, Tony Scheffler caught a 1-yard touchdown pass. Just before halftime, Maurice Morris ran in a touchdown from 1-yard out, putting the Lions up 24–3. After the intermission, the Lions continued their domination with three more unanswered touchdowns. First, Cliff Avril
picked up a Tim Tebow
fumble and returned it 24 yards for 6 points. Calvin Johnson then scored a touchdown on a 56-yard catch and run. Chris Houston
then intercepted a Tim Tebow pass in the end zone and ran the entire length of the field for a score to cap the Lions victory. The Broncos then scored their only points of the second half on a 14-yard touchdown catch by Eric Decker
. The Lions defense sacked Tim Tebow seven times. Lions defensive end Cliff Avril, who recorded two sack fumbles and touchdown, was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance. The Lions' 45 points was the most scored on the road since 1967
. With the win, the Lions went into their bye week with a 6–2 record. Detroit also extended its road winning streak (dating back to 2010) to six straight games.
for a rematch with their division foes the Chicago Bears. Chicago started the scoring with a 6 yard touchdown rush by Matt Forte
. The Bears added to their lead with a 43 yard field goal by Robbie Gould
. In the second quarter, Chicago added more points with a 35 yard field goal, and made it a 20–0 game when Devin Hester
returned a punt 82 yards for a touchdown. Detroit finally got on the board with two consecutive field goals by Jason Hanson, from 29 and 35 yards out respectively. After halftime, the Bears defense intercepted Lions QB Matthew Stafford twice for touchdowns. First, Major Wright
caught one and ran it in 24 yards. Then Charles Tillman
completed a 44 yard pick 6. The Bears added to their large lead with a 50 yard field goal. The Lions scored their only points of the second half with a 10 yard touchdown catch by Tony Scheffler. This was the Lions' first road loss of the season.
. The Panthers took an early lead in the first quarter when Olindo Mare
kicked a 27 yard field goal, and made it 10–0 when Steve Smith caught a 15 yard touchdown pass. The Lions answered in the second quarter when Kevin Smith ran in a touchdown from 28 yards out. Carolina responded with 2 touchdowns. First, Kealoha Pilares
returned a kickoff the entire length of the field for 7 points, then a few minutes later, QB Cam Newton
ran it in himself for another 7. At this point, the Lions were down by 17 points with the score 24-7. The Lions' Titus Young then caught a 3 yard pass for a TD. The Panthers kicked a 31 yard field goal just before halftime, putting the Lions down by 13 points. After the break, the Lions mounted yet another second half comeback with 3 consecutive touchdowns. First, Nate Burleson caught a 6 yard pass, then Tony Scheffler caught a 17 yard pass, giving the Lions their first lead of the game. Then in the 4th quarter, Kevin Smith scored his second touchdown of the game, this one on a 4 yard rush. The Panthers scored their only points of the second half when Cam Newton recorded his second rushing touchdown; Carolina's Steve Smith then completed a 2-point conversion to tie the game. A few minutes later, Detroit retook the lead when Brandon Pettigrew caught a 7 yard pass for a TD. The Lions capped their victory with Kevin Smith's third touchdown of the game, this one on a 19 yard rush.
By winning this game after trailing by 17 points, the Lions are the first team in NFL history that have won 3 games in one season in which they trailed by at least 17 points.
game, the Lions hosted their NFC North Division rivals, the undefeated Green Bay Packers
, which was the first time the teams played on Thanksgiving since 1962
, which the Lions won 26–14. After a scoreless first quarter, Detroit trailed in the second quarter after Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers
completed a 3-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Greg Jennings
. After halftime, Green Bay added to their lead in the third quarter when fullback John Kuhn
scored with a 1-yard touchdown run, followed by a 65-yard touchdown catch to wide receiver James Jones
. Later, Mason Crosby
scored with a 35-yard field goal. Detroit finally get on the board in the fourth quarter with a 16-yard touchdown run from running back Keiland Williams (with a successful two-point conversion pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford to wide receiver Titus Young), but the Packers pulled away when Crosby booted a 32-yard field goal. The Lions closed out the game when Stafford hooked up with wide receiver Calvin Johnson on a 3-yard touchdown pass late in the final quarter.
stats are correct through Week 12.
2011 NFL season
The 2011 NFL season, the 92nd regular season of the National Football League, began on Thursday, September 8, 2011 with the Super Bowl XLV champion Green Bay Packers defeating the New Orleans Saints 42–34 at Lambeau Field and will end with Super Bowl XLVI, the league's championship game, on...
Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
season is the franchise's 82nd season in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
, the 10th playing its home games at Ford Field
Ford Field
Ford Field is an indoor American football stadium located in Detroit, Michigan, USA, that is the current home field of the NFL's Detroit Lions. It is owned by the Detroit/Wayne County Stadium Authority. It regularly seats 65,000, though it is expandable up to 70,000 for football and 80,000 for...
and the third year under head coach Jim Schwartz
Jim Schwartz
Jim Schwartz is an American football head coach for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League.-Early life:Born just outside Baltimore, Maryland, Schwartz attended Mount Saint Joseph High School, an all male Catholic school, where he played football.Schwartz was a four-year letterman at...
. Currently 7–4, the team has improved on its 6–10 record from 2010
2010 Detroit Lions season
The 2010 Detroit Lions season was the franchise's 81st season in the NFL. It was Jim Schwartz's second season as head coach. The Lions spent most of the season at the bottom of their division, but with more division wins than the Vikings , the Lions ended up at 3rd place on the final day of the...
, which is its third consecutive improved season, and first 7 win season since 2007
2007 Detroit Lions season
The 2007 Detroit Lions season was the 78th season for the team in the National Football League. After starting the 2007 season with a 6-2 record, the Lions lost 7 of their last 8 games. They finished with a 7-9 record for their seventh consecutive losing season...
. The Lions' 5–0 start was their best since the 1956 season
1956 Detroit Lions season
The 1956 Detroit Lions season was their 27th in the league. The team improved on their previous season's output of 3-9, winning nine games. Despite the improvement, they missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season.-Schedule:-Standings:...
.
2011 Draft class
| Round | Selection | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13 | Nick Fairley Nick Fairley Nick Fairley is an American football defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Lions in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football at Auburn.... |
DT | Auburn Auburn Tigers football Only Mohamed Amin Abughadir set the record with 1,890 yards in 1 season. He was the QB for Auburn in 1998.The Auburn Tigers football team represents Auburn University in college football as a member of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, competing in the Western Division of the... |
| 2 | 44 | Titus Young Titus Young Titus Young is an American football wide receiver with the Detroit Lions of the National Football League.-College:Young played for the Boise State Broncos football team. He had 204 receptions for 3,063 yards and 25 touchdowns in his collegiate career, including 71 receptions for 1,215 yards and 9... |
WR Wide receiver A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible... |
Boise State Boise State Broncos football This page discusses the Boise State football program. For more Boise State athletics, see Boise State Broncos.The Boise State Broncos football program represents Boise State University in college football and compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision of Division I as a member of the Mountain West... |
| 2 | 57 | Mikel Leshoure Mikel Leshoure Mikel Leshoure is an American football running back for the Detroit Lions.-Early years:Leshoure attended Centennial High School in Champaign, Illinois... |
RB Running back A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running... |
Illinois Illinois Fighting Illini football The Illinois Fighting Illini are a major college football program, representing the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. They compete in NCAA Division I-A and the Big Ten Conference.-Current staff:-All-time win/loss/tie record:*563-513-51... |
| 5 | 157 | Doug Hogue Doug Hogue Doug Hogue is an American football linebacker for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Lions in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football at Syracuse.-External links:*... |
LB Linebacker A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen... |
Syracuse Syracuse Orange football The Syracuse Orange football program is a college football team that represents Syracuse University. The team is a member of the Big East Conference, which is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I conference that is part of the Football Bowl Subdivision... |
| 7 | 209 | Johnny Culbreath Johnny Culbreath Johnny Culbreath is an American football offensive tackle for the Detroit Lions. He was drafted in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football at South Carolina State.-External links:**... |
OT | South Carolina State South Carolina State Bulldogs football The South Carolina State Bulldogs are the college football team representing the South Carolina State University. The Bulldogs play in NCAA Division I Football Championship as a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.-National championships:*1976*1977... |
Offseason signings
| Player | 2010 Team | Signed | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SS | Erik Coleman Erik Coleman Erik Coleman is an American football safety currently playing for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the New York Jets in the fifth round of the 2004 NFL Draft. Went to high school at Lewis & Clark High School in Spokane, Washington... |
UFA | Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Falcons The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
February 18 |
| WR | Rashied Davis Rashied Davis Rashied Khalid Davis is an American football wide receiver for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the San Jose SaberCats of the Arena Football League as an undrafted free agent in 2002. He played college football at San José State... |
UFA | Chicago Bears Chicago Bears The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
July 29 |
| OLB | Justin Durant Justin Durant Justin Durant is an American football linebacker for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Jaguars in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft... |
UFA | Jacksonville Jaguars Jacksonville Jaguars The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
July 29 |
| CB | Maurice Leggett Maurice Leggett Maurice Lamar Leggett is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He entered the NFL as a free agent in May 2008. He played college football for Valdosta State University. Won the Mack Lee Hill Award as the Kansas City Chiefs top rookie for 2008. On November 25, 2009, Leggett... |
RFA | Kansas City Chiefs Kansas City Chiefs The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a... |
July 29 |
| DT | Quinn Pitcock Quinn Pitcock Quinn Michael Pitcock is an American football defensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft... |
RFA | Seattle Seahawks Seattle Seahawks The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team... |
July 29 |
| MLB | Stephen Tulloch Stephen Tulloch Stephen Michael Tulloch is an American football linebacker for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft, with the 116th overall pick by the Tennessee Titans... |
UFA | Tennessee Titans Tennessee Titans The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter... |
July 31 |
| RB | Jerome Harrison Jerome Harrison -Cleveland Browns:Harrison was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft.In his first season he made ten appearances including one start. He made his NFL debut against the New Orleans Saints on September 10, 2006... |
UFA | Philadelphia Eagles Philadelphia Eagles The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
August 9 |
Regular season transactions
On October 18, the Lions attempted to trade running back Jerome HarrisonJerome Harrison
-Cleveland Browns:Harrison was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft.In his first season he made ten appearances including one start. He made his NFL debut against the New Orleans Saints on September 10, 2006...
and an undisclosed pick in the 2013 NFL Draft
2013 NFL Draft
The 2013 NFL Draft will be the 78th annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players.-Trades:...
to the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
for running back Ronnie Brown
Ronnie Brown
Ronnie G. Brown, Jr. is an American football running back for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . After graduating from Cartersville High School in Georgia, Brown attended Auburn University to play college football for the Auburn Tigers...
, but the deal was voided due to Jerome Harrison
Jerome Harrison
-Cleveland Browns:Harrison was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft.In his first season he made ten appearances including one start. He made his NFL debut against the New Orleans Saints on September 10, 2006...
not passing a physical for the Eagles. On October 20, Adam Schefter of ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
reported that Harrison failed the physical because doctors discovered a brain tumor
Brain tumor
A brain tumor is an intracranial solid neoplasm, a tumor within the brain or the central spinal canal.Brain tumors include all tumors inside the cranium or in the central spinal canal...
. Harrison had surgery on October 21 and was placed on the injured reserve list for the remainder of the season.
The same day, the Lions signed free agent running back Eldra Buckley
Eldra Buckley
-San Diego Chargers:Buckley was not drafted in the 2007 NFL Draft, but was signed by the San Diego Chargers as a free agent. He was on the team's practice squad during the 2007 season and 2008 season. He was waived on February 26, 2009.-Philadelphia Eagles:...
to replace Harrison in the lineup.
Preseason
| Week | | Date | | Kickoff | | Opponent | | Results | | Game site | | TV | | NFL.com recap |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final score | Team record | |||||||
| 1 | August 12 | 7:30 PM EDT North American Eastern Time Zone The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time... |
Cincinnati Bengals 2011 Cincinnati Bengals season The 2011 Cincinnati Bengals season will be the team's 44th season as a professional sports franchise and its 42nd season as a member of the National Football League . The team has improved on its 2010 season, where it finished with a record of 4–12 and placed fourth in the AFC North. This marks... |
W 34–3 | 1–0 | Ford Field Ford Field Ford Field is an indoor American football stadium located in Detroit, Michigan, USA, that is the current home field of the NFL's Detroit Lions. It is owned by the Detroit/Wayne County Stadium Authority. It regularly seats 65,000, though it is expandable up to 70,000 for football and 80,000 for... |
Lions TV Network Detroit Lions Television Network The Detroit Lions Television Network is a network of six television stations in Michigan that broadcast the NFL's Detroit Lions preseason games as well as its weekly regular season pregame show The Ford Lions Report. As of 2011, WXYZ-TV in Detroit is the flagship station... |
Recap |
| 2 | August 19 | 7:30 PM EDT | at Cleveland Browns 2011 Cleveland Browns season The 2011 Cleveland Browns season will be the team's 65th season as a professional sports franchise and its 61st season as a member of the National Football League . The team will attempt to improve on its 2010 season, where it finished with a record of 5–11 and placed third in the AFC North... |
W 30–28 | 2–0 | Cleveland Browns Stadium Cleveland Browns Stadium -See also:* List of current National Football League stadiums* Chronology of home stadiums for current National Football League teams* List of American football stadiums by capacity* List of U.S. stadiums by capacity* List of North American stadiums by capacity... |
Lions TV Network | Recap |
| 3 | August 27 | 8:00 PM EDT | New England Patriots 2011 New England Patriots season The 2011 New England Patriots season is the 42nd season for the team in the National Football League and 52nd season overall.The Patriots dedicated their 2011 season to the memory of Myra Kraft, the wife of owner Robert Kraft, who died on July 20, 2011 after a long fight against cancer... |
W 34–10 | 3–0 | Ford Field | CBS NFL on CBS The NFL on CBS is the brand name of the CBS television network's coverage of the National Football League's American Football Conference games, produced by CBS Sports.-Market coverage and television policies:... |
Recap |
| 4 | September 1 | 6:30 PM EDT | at Buffalo Bills 2011 Buffalo Bills season The 2011 Buffalo Bills season is the team's 42nd season in the National Football League and the 52nd overall. The Bills hope to improve on their record from the 2010 season, and attempt to make the playoffs for the first time since 1999, the longest standing playoff drought in the NFL, which is... |
W 16–6 | 4–0 | Ralph Wilson Stadium Ralph Wilson Stadium Ralph Wilson Stadium is a football stadium, located in the town of Orchard Park, a suburb of Buffalo, New York. It is the home for the Buffalo Bills, of the NFL... |
Lions TV Network | Recap |
Regular season
| Week | | Date | | Kickoff | | Opponent | | Results | | Game site | | TV | | NFL.com recap |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final | Record | |||||||
| 1 | 1:00 PM EDT | at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2011 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season The 2011 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season will be the club's 36th season as a franchise in the NFL. The team will compete in the NFC South. Both of their preseason home games, and seven of their regular season home games will be played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida... |
W 27–20 | 1–0 | Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium, also known as the "Ray Jay", is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Tampa, Florida. It is home to the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well as the NCAA's South Florida Bulls football team. The stadium seats 65,857 , and it is expandable to 75,000 for special events... |
Fox NFL on FOX NFL on Fox is the brand name of the Fox Broadcasting Company's coverage of the National Football League's National Football Conference games, produced by Fox Sports... |
Recap | |
| 2 | 1:00 PM EDT | Kansas City Chiefs 2011 Kansas City Chiefs season The 2011 Kansas City Chiefs season is the franchise's 42nd season in the National Football League, the 52nd overall and the third under the head coach/general manager tandem of Todd Haley and Scott Pioli. The Chiefs are coming off a 10–6 record in 2010, in which the team won its first AFC West... |
W 48–3 | 2–0 | Ford Field Ford Field Ford Field is an indoor American football stadium located in Detroit, Michigan, USA, that is the current home field of the NFL's Detroit Lions. It is owned by the Detroit/Wayne County Stadium Authority. It regularly seats 65,000, though it is expandable up to 70,000 for football and 80,000 for... |
CBS NFL on CBS The NFL on CBS is the brand name of the CBS television network's coverage of the National Football League's American Football Conference games, produced by CBS Sports.-Market coverage and television policies:... |
Recap | |
| 3 | 1:00 PM EDT | at Minnesota Vikings 2011 Minnesota Vikings season -Week 2: at Seattle Seahawks:-Week 3: vs. Dallas Cowboys:-Week 4: vs. Houston Texans:-Schedule:COLOR KEY & NOTES:-Week 1: at San Diego Chargers:-Week 2: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers:-Week 3: vs. Detroit Lions:-Week 4: at Kansas City Chiefs:... |
W 26–23 (OT) | 3–0 | Mall of America Field Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, commonly called the Metrodome, is a domed sports stadium in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Opened in 1982, it replaced Metropolitan Stadium, which was on the current site of the Mall of America in Bloomington and Memorial Stadium on the University... |
Fox | Recap | |
| 4 | October 2 | 1:00 PM EDT | at Dallas Cowboys 2011 Dallas Cowboys season The 2011 Dallas Cowboys season will be the Cowboys' 52nd season in the NFL, the third season playing their home games at Cowboys Stadium and the first full season under head coach Jason Garrett, who served as the interim head coach for the team's final eight games in 2010... |
W 34–30 | 4–0 | Cowboys Stadium | Fox | Recap |
| 5 | October 10 | 8:30 PM EDT | Chicago Bears 2011 Chicago Bears season The 2011 Chicago Bears season is the franchise's 92nd overall season in the National Football League, and the 8th under head coach Lovie Smith. The Bears, defending NFC North Division champions, will seek a return to the playoffs after falling in the NFC Championship Game to their arch-rivals the... |
W 24–13 | 5–0 | Ford Field | ESPN Monday Night Football Monday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series... |
Recap |
| 6 | October 16 | 1:00 PM EDT | San Francisco 49ers 2011 San Francisco 49ers season The 2011 San Francisco 49ers season is the franchise's 66th season overall, and 62nd in the National Football League . It is the first season under head coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Trent Baalke... |
L 19–25 | 5–1 | Ford Field | Fox | Recap |
| 7 | October 23 | 1:00 PM EDT | Atlanta Falcons 2011 Atlanta Falcons season The 2011 Atlanta Falcons season will be the franchise's 46th season in the National Football League and the fourth under head coach Mike Smith. After a disappointing loss to the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round of the playoffs, the Falcons will attempt to defend its NFC South division... |
L 16–23 | 5–2 | Ford Field | Fox | Recap |
| 8 | October 30 | 4:05 PM EDT | at Denver Broncos 2011 Denver Broncos season The Denver Broncos season is the franchise's 42nd season in the National Football League and the 52nd overall. It also marks the first season under new head coach John Fox, as well as the first with John Elway as the team's Executive Vice President of Football Operations... |
W 45–10 | 6–2 | Sports Authority Field at Mile High | Fox | Recap |
| 9 | Bye Bye (sports) A bye, in sports and other competitive activities, most commonly refers to the practice of allowing a player or team to advance to the next round of a playoff tournament without playing... |
|||||||
| 10 | November 13 | 4:15 PM EST | at Chicago Bears | L 13–37 | 6–3 | Soldier Field Soldier Field Soldier Field is located on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Illinois, United States, in the Near South Side. It is home to the NFL's Chicago Bears... |
Fox | Recap |
| 11 | November 20 | 1:00 PM EST | Carolina Panthers 2011 Carolina Panthers season The 2011 Carolina Panthers season will be the franchise's 17th season in the National Football League and the first season for Ron Rivera as the head coach. In Week 16 of the 2010 season, the team clinched the NFL's worst record of the year and was given the #1 pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, with... |
W 49–35 | 7–3 | Ford Field | Fox | Recap |
| 12 | November 24 Thanksgiving Classic The National Football League's Thanksgiving Classic is a series of games played during the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States. It has been a regular occurrence since the league's inception in 1920. Since 2006, three games are played every Thanksgiving... |
12:30 PM EST | Green Bay Packers 2011 Green Bay Packers season The 2011 Green Bay Packers season is the franchise's 91st season in the National Football League, the 93rd season overall and the sixth under head coach Mike McCarthy... |
L 15–27 | 7–4 | Ford Field | Fox |
Recap |
| 13 | December 4 | 8:20 PM EST | at New Orleans Saints 2011 New Orleans Saints season The 2011 New Orleans Saints season is the franchise's 45th season in the National Football League, the 36th to host home games at the Louisiana Superdome and the sixth under head coach Sean Payton.-2011 draft board:-Schedule:... |
Mercedes-Benz Superdome | NBC NBC Sunday Night Football NBC Sunday Night Football is a weekly television broadcast of Sunday evening National Football League games on NBC that began airing on Sunday, August 6, 2006 with the pre-season opening Hall of Fame Game. Al Michaels serves as the play-by-play announcer, with Cris Collinsworth as the color... # |
|||
| 14 | December 11 | 1:00 PM EST | Minnesota Vikings | Ford Field | Fox | |||
| 15 | December 18 | 4:05 PM EST * | at Oakland Raiders 2011 Oakland Raiders season The 2011 Oakland Raiders season is the franchise's 42nd season in the National Football League and the 52nd overall. 2011 also marks the final season under the ownership of Al Davis, who died on October 8, 2011... |
O.co Coliseum | Fox | |||
| 16 | December 24 | 4:05 PM EST | San Diego Chargers 2011 San Diego Chargers season The 2011 San Diego Chargers season will be the franchise's 42nd season in the National Football League and the 52nd overall. The team hopes to improve on its 9–7 record from 2010, in which the team missed the playoffs. For Norv Turner, this will be his fifth season as the head coach of the... |
Ford Field | CBS | |||
| 17 | January 1 | 1:00 PM EST * | at Green Bay Packers | Lambeau Field Lambeau Field Lambeau Field is an outdoor football stadium in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the home of the NFL's Green Bay Packers. Opened in 1957 as City Stadium, it replaced the original City Stadium as the Packers' home field... |
Fox | |||
* Indicates that the game time is subject to change as a result of flexible scheduling.# Indicates that the game will be nationally televised.† Indicates the game aired on WXYZ-TVWXYZ-TVWXYZ-TV, channel 7, is an ABC-affiliated television station in Detroit, Michigan, USA. WXYZ-TV is owned by the E.W. Scripps Company, and is the media company's largest-market TV station property...
in the Detroit DMA instead of ESPN.
Week 1: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
To start the season, the Lions traveled south to Tampa, FloridaTampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2011 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season
The 2011 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season will be the club's 36th season as a franchise in the NFL. The team will compete in the NFC South. Both of their preseason home games, and seven of their regular season home games will be played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida...
. The Lions scored first in the first quarter with a 23-yard field goal by Jason Hanson. The Buccaneers tied it up with a 38-yard field goal by Connor Barth
Connor Barth
Connor Thomas Barth is an American football placekicker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at North Carolina....
, then took the lead when Aqib Talib
Aqib Talib
Aqib Talib is an American football cornerback who plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20th overall in the 2008 NFL Draft.-Early years:...
intercepted a pass from Matthew Stafford and ran it in 28 yards. The Lions responded with a 28-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Detroit took the lead with a 36-yard touchdown catch by Calvin Johnson, and later added more points when Tony Scheffler caught an 11-yard TD pass. Tampa Bay responded with a 31-yard field goal just before halftime. The second half was relatively quiet, with each team only scoring one touchdown. First, Detroit's Calvin Johnson caught a 1-yard pass in the third quarter. The game's final points came when Mike Williams of Tampa Bay caught a 5-yard pass. The Lions won their regular season opener for the first time since 2007
2007 Detroit Lions season
The 2007 Detroit Lions season was the 78th season for the team in the National Football League. After starting the 2007 season with a 6-2 record, the Lions lost 7 of their last 8 games. They finished with a 7-9 record for their seventh consecutive losing season...
.
Week 2: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
For their home opener, the Lions hosted the Kansas City Chiefs2011 Kansas City Chiefs season
The 2011 Kansas City Chiefs season is the franchise's 42nd season in the National Football League, the 52nd overall and the third under the head coach/general manager tandem of Todd Haley and Scott Pioli. The Chiefs are coming off a 10–6 record in 2010, in which the team won its first AFC West...
. The Lions scored first when Calvin Johnson caught a 15-yard pass for a touchdown. Kansas City then scored their only points of the game with a 33-yard field goal by Ryan Succop
Ryan Succop
Ryan Barrow Succop is an American football placekicker for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He is the 2009 Mr. Irrelevant after being selected by the Chiefs with the final pick of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at South Carolina.-Early years:Succop attended...
. In the second quarter, the Lions' Tony Scheffler caught a 36-yard pass for a touchdown. They added to their lead with two field goals from Jason Hanson, from 51 and 28 yards respectively. After halftime, the Lions scored four consecutive touchdowns, three of which followed Kansas City turnovers. First, Calvin Johnson scored on a 1-yard catch. Afterward, Jahvid Best scored two consecutive touchdowns in the fourth quarter, first with a 9-yard catch, and later on a 1-yard run. The Lions capped their blowout victory with a 1-yard run by Keiland Williams. The blowout win set the franchise record for largest margin of victory. It was the first time the Lions went 2–0 since 2007. Lions QB Matthew Stafford - who completed 23 of 39 passes, threw for 294 yards and 4 touchdowns - won the FedEx Air NFL Player of the Week for his performance.
Week 3: at Minnesota Vikings
In week 3, the Lions traveled west to Minneapolis, Minnesota to face their NFC North Division rivalsLions–Vikings rivalry
The Lions-Vikings rivalry is an NFL rivalry between two NFC North teams, the Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings.The Lions and Vikings have been battling since the Vikings entered the league in 1961. The Vikings have dominated the series, leading 66-32-2 in the all-time series...
the Minnesota Vikings
2011 Minnesota Vikings season
-Week 2: at Seattle Seahawks:-Week 3: vs. Dallas Cowboys:-Week 4: vs. Houston Texans:-Schedule:COLOR KEY & NOTES:-Week 1: at San Diego Chargers:-Week 2: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers:-Week 3: vs. Detroit Lions:-Week 4: at Kansas City Chiefs:...
. The first half was all Minnesota. In the first quarter, the Vikings' Ryan Longwell
Ryan Longwell
Ryan Walker Longwell is an American football placekicker for the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League. After playing college football for the California Golden Bears, he started his professional football career with the San Francisco 49ers, but never played a game for the franchise...
made two consecutive field goals, from 33 and 41 yards out respectively. The second quarter featured two consecutive Minnesota touchdowns: first on a 6-yard run by Adrian Peterson, and next on an 8-yard catch by Visanthe Shiancoe
Visanthe Shiancoe
Visanthe Shiancoe is an American football tight end who currently plays for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League.-High school:...
. After halftime, the Lions mounted a comeback. In the third quarter, Detroit's Calvin Johnson caught a 32-yard pass for a touchdown. They added more points with a 28-yard field goal by Jason Hanson. In the fourth quarter, Calvin Johnson caught another touchdown pass, this one from 5 yards out. Detroit then tied it up with a 50-yard field goal, and took their first lead of the game, 23–20, after a 40-yard Jason Hanson 3-pointer. Minnesota tied it up again with a 49-yard field goal late in the game, taking it to overtime. Detroit won the coin toss and got the ball first, then scored a 32-yard field goal to win the game. Detroit's 20-point comeback was biggest on the road in team history. It was also the first time the Lions beat the Vikings at the Metrodome since 1997
1997 Detroit Lions season
The 1997 season marked the Lions qualifying for the playoffs. Bobby Ross replaced Wayne Fontes as head coach. The highlight of the season was Barry Sanders becoming the third player in NFL history to rush for at least 2,000 yards in a season.-Staff:...
, and the first time the Lions started 3–0 since 1980
1980 Detroit Lions season
-Roster:-Awards and records:* Billy Sims, Pro Bowl selection -Roster:-Awards and records:* Billy Sims, Pro Bowl selection -Roster:-Awards and records:* Billy Sims, Pro Bowl selection (1980* Billy Sims, 1980 Offensive Rookie of the Year* Billy Sims, 1980 UPI NFL-NFC Rookie of the Year* Billy Sims,...
.
Week 4: at Dallas Cowboys
In week 4, the Lions traveled south to Arlington, TexasArlington, Texas
Arlington is a city in Tarrant County, Texas within the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. According to the 2010 census results, the city had a population of 365,438, making it the third largest municipality in the Metroplex...
to take on the Dallas Cowboys
2011 Dallas Cowboys season
The 2011 Dallas Cowboys season will be the Cowboys' 52nd season in the NFL, the third season playing their home games at Cowboys Stadium and the first full season under head coach Jason Garrett, who served as the interim head coach for the team's final eight games in 2010...
. The Cowboys dominated the first half, putting the Lions in a big hole for the second straight week. First came a 25-yard touchdown catch by Dez Bryant
Dez Bryant
- 2010 - Rookie Season :Bryant was signed by the Cowboys to a contract very similar to that of Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin on July 22, 2010. On July 23, 2010, it was announced that Bryant will wear number 88, the same as Hall of Famer Michael Irvin, and Cowboys legend Drew Pearson...
. In the second quarter, Bryant scored again on a 6-yard touchdown catch. Dallas added more points with a 41-yard field goal by Dan Bailey
Dan Bailey (American football)
Dan "Beetle" Bailey is an American football placekicker for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He was signed by the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2011...
. The Lions then got their only points of the first half with a 33-yard field goal by Jason Hanson. The Cowboys responded with a 35-yard field goal just before halftime. After the break, Dallas added more points with a 1-yard touchdown pass to Jason Witten
Jason Witten
Christopher Jason Witten is an American football tight end who plays for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Tennessee....
, putting them up 27–3. The Lions responded with two consecutive defensive touchdowns: first a 34-yard interception return by Bobby Carpenter, then a 56-yard pick-6 by Chris Houston. The Cowboys scored their final points of the game with a 23-yard field goal late in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, the Lions continued their comeback with a 23-yard touchdown catch by Calvin Johnson. They made it a three-point game with a 51-yard field goal by Jason Hanson, and took their first lead of the game late in the final quarter when Calvin Johnson caught his second touchdown of the game from 2 yards out to become only the second player in NFL history to record at least two touchdown catches in 4 straight games. (The other to do so is former Vikings receiver Cris Carter
Cris Carter
Cristopher D. Carter is a former American football player in the National Football League. He played wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles , the Minnesota Vikings and the Miami Dolphins ....
.) The Lions defense held off Dallas for the win. Like the previous week, the Lions came back and won it in the final moments of the game after being down by a large margin at halftime. This was also the largest comeback the Dallas Cowboys have ever allowed, and it is the largest comeback by a road team in NFL history as the Cowboys were up by 24 in the 3rd quarter. It was the first time the Lions started 4–0 since 1980
1980 Detroit Lions season
-Roster:-Awards and records:* Billy Sims, Pro Bowl selection -Roster:-Awards and records:* Billy Sims, Pro Bowl selection -Roster:-Awards and records:* Billy Sims, Pro Bowl selection (1980* Billy Sims, 1980 Offensive Rookie of the Year* Billy Sims, 1980 UPI NFL-NFC Rookie of the Year* Billy Sims,...
. This also was its franchise-record fifth straight road win. Ironically, their last game at Dallas saw the Lions lose their franchise-record 26th straight road game.
Week 5: vs. Chicago Bears
In week 5, the Lions hosted a nationally televised primetime NFC North Division duel against the Chicago Bears2011 Chicago Bears season
The 2011 Chicago Bears season is the franchise's 92nd overall season in the National Football League, and the 8th under head coach Lovie Smith. The Bears, defending NFC North Division champions, will seek a return to the playoffs after falling in the NFC Championship Game to their arch-rivals the...
. It was the first ever Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series...
game at Ford Field, the first MNF appearance for the Lions since 2001
2001 Detroit Lions season
Marty Mornhinweg was named the twenty-first head coach in franchise history on January 21, 2001.-NFL Draft:-Staff:-Schedule:-Standings:-External links:**...
, and the first Monday night game in the city of Detroit since 1974
1974 Detroit Lions season
The 1974 Detroit Lions season was the 45th season in franchise history. It was the Lions' final season playing at Tiger Stadium; the team moved to the Pontiac Silverdome the following season.-NFL Draft:-Schedule:-Standings:-Roster:-References:**...
. Neither team scored in the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Lions got an early lead with a 73-yard catch and run by Calvin Johnson. With this, Johnson became the first receiver in NFL history to record 9 touchdown catches in a season's first five games. The Bears got on the board with a 44-yard field goal by Robbie Gould
Robbie Gould
Robert Paul "Robbie" Gould III is an American football placekicker for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at Penn State...
, and took the lead with a 9-yard catch by Kellen Davis
Kellen Davis
Kellen Davis is an American football tight end for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Bears in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan State...
. After halftime, the Lions regained the lead and never gave it back. First came an 18-yard TD catch by Brandon Pettigrew. A few minutes later, Detroit's Jahvid Best ran in a TD from 88 yards out, the second longest touchdown run in franchise history. Each team scored a field goal in the fourth quarter: first one by Chicago from 49 yards out, then a 31-yarder by Jason Hanson that completed the scoring. With the win, the Lions also started 5–0 for the first time since 1956
1956 Detroit Lions season
The 1956 Detroit Lions season was their 27th in the league. The team improved on their previous season's output of 3-9, winning nine games. Despite the improvement, they missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season.-Schedule:-Standings:...
. Ford Field's record crowd of nearly 68,000 fans caused 9 false start penalties by the Bears.
Week 6: vs. San Francisco 49ers
In week 6, the Lions hosted the NFC WestNFC West
The NFC West is a division of the National Football League's National Football Conference. It currently has four members: Arizona Cardinals, St...
Division-leading San Francisco 49ers
2011 San Francisco 49ers season
The 2011 San Francisco 49ers season is the franchise's 66th season overall, and 62nd in the National Football League . It is the first season under head coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Trent Baalke...
. The Lions struck first, when Jason Hanson kicked a 25-yard field goal that came after a San Francisco turnover. Detroit added to their lead when Brandon Pettigrew caught a 16-yard TD pass. In the second quarter, the 49ers finally got on the board with a 1-yard TD run by Frank Gore
Frank Gore
Franklin Gore is an American football running back who plays for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Miami. NFL Network analysts have nicknamed Gore "The Inconvenient Truth".-High school career:Gore attended Coral Gables High...
. San Francisco received a safety when Aldon Smith
Aldon Smith
Aldon Smith is an American football outside linebacker who currently plays for the San Francisco 49ers. He was drafted by the 49ers with the seventh overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft...
sacked Matthew Stafford in the end zone. The final points of the first half came just before intermission when David Akers
David Akers
David Roy Akers is a left footed American football placekicker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Atlanta Falcons in 1997. He played college football at Louisville....
of the 49ers kicked a 55-yard field goal, putting the Lions down at halftime for the fourth consecutive week. After the break, Detroit scored on a 24-yard field goal. San Francisco responded with a field goal of their own, this one from 31 yards out. In the fourth quarter, the Lions' Nate Burleson caught a 5-yard TD pass; the Lions went for a 2-point conversion but Calvin Johnson failed to catch Matthew Stafford's pass. In the final 2 minutes, the 49ers rallied from behind, first with a 6-yard yard TD catch by Delanie Walker
Delanie Walker
Delanie Walker is an American football tight end for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He has also played in the positions of fullback and wide receiver. He was drafted by the 49ers in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Central Missouri...
, then a 37-yard field goal by David Akers, putting them up 25–19. With 1:02 left in the game, the Lions attempted another comeback, but San Francisco's defense held them off, handing Detroit its first loss of the season.
Week 7: vs. Atlanta Falcons
In week 7, the Lions hosted the Atlanta Falcons2011 Atlanta Falcons season
The 2011 Atlanta Falcons season will be the franchise's 46th season in the National Football League and the fourth under head coach Mike Smith. After a disappointing loss to the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round of the playoffs, the Falcons will attempt to defend its NFC South division...
. The Lions took an early lead with a 43-yard field goal by Jason Hanson that came after a Falcons turnover. The Falcons tied it up with a field goal of their own, this one a 23-yarder by Matt Bryant
Matt Bryant
Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002...
. Atlanta took the lead with a 1-yard quarterback sneak by Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for Villacher SV of the Austrian Hockey League .-Playing career:...
. In the second quarter, Jason Hanson kicked another field goal, this time from 38 yards out. Atlanta scored the final points of the first half when Roddy White
Roddy White
Sharod Lamor White is an American football wide receiver playing for the Atlanta Falcons in the National Football League...
caught an 18-yard touchdown pass. After halftime, Jason Hanson kicked his third field goal, this one from 29 yards. Atlanta responded with a 47-yard field goal. Late in the third quarter, Detroit scored their only touchdown of the game, with a 57-yard catch and run by Calvin Johnson. The only points of the fourth quarter came a 40-yard Falcons field goal.
Week 8: at Denver Broncos
In week 8, the Lions traveled west to Denver, Colorado for an interconference duel with the Denver Broncos2011 Denver Broncos season
The Denver Broncos season is the franchise's 42nd season in the National Football League and the 52nd overall. It also marks the first season under new head coach John Fox, as well as the first with John Elway as the team's Executive Vice President of Football Operations...
. The Broncos scored their only points of the first half on their opening drive, getting a 39-yard field goal from Matt Prater
Matt Prater
Matt Prater is an American football placekicker who plays for the Denver Broncos. He was originally signed by the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football at the University of Central Florida, where he majored in psychology.-High school career:Prater attended...
. With a 41-yard touchdown catch by Titus Young, the Lions took the lead and never gave it back. In the second quarter, Jason Hanson kicked a 50-yard field goal. Next, Tony Scheffler caught a 1-yard touchdown pass. Just before halftime, Maurice Morris ran in a touchdown from 1-yard out, putting the Lions up 24–3. After the intermission, the Lions continued their domination with three more unanswered touchdowns. First, Cliff Avril
Cliff Avril
Clifford Samuel Avril is a defensive end for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Lions in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue.-Early years:...
picked up a Tim Tebow
Tim Tebow
Timothy Richard "Tim" Tebow is an American football player who is currently the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Broncos as the 25th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft...
fumble and returned it 24 yards for 6 points. Calvin Johnson then scored a touchdown on a 56-yard catch and run. Chris Houston
Chris Houston (American football)
Chris Houston is an American Football cornerback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
then intercepted a Tim Tebow pass in the end zone and ran the entire length of the field for a score to cap the Lions victory. The Broncos then scored their only points of the second half on a 14-yard touchdown catch by Eric Decker
Eric Decker
Eric Decker is an American football wide receiver for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Broncos in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
. The Lions defense sacked Tim Tebow seven times. Lions defensive end Cliff Avril, who recorded two sack fumbles and touchdown, was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance. The Lions' 45 points was the most scored on the road since 1967
1967 Detroit Lions season
The 1967 Detroit Lions season was the 38th season in franchise history. On August 5, the Lions played the Denver Broncos in an exhibition match. The Broncos beat the Lions by a score of 13-7 and became the first AFL team to beat an NFL team.-NFL Draft:...
. With the win, the Lions went into their bye week with a 6–2 record. Detroit also extended its road winning streak (dating back to 2010) to six straight games.
Week 10: at Chicago Bears
After their bye week, the Lions traveled to Chicago, IllinoisChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
for a rematch with their division foes the Chicago Bears. Chicago started the scoring with a 6 yard touchdown rush by Matt Forte
Matt Forté
Matthew Garrett Forté is an American football running back for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Bears in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
. The Bears added to their lead with a 43 yard field goal by Robbie Gould
Robbie Gould
Robert Paul "Robbie" Gould III is an American football placekicker for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at Penn State...
. In the second quarter, Chicago added more points with a 35 yard field goal, and made it a 20–0 game when Devin Hester
Devin Hester
Devin Hester is an American football wide receiver and return specialist for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League . He played college football at the University of Miami, where he became the first person in the university’s recent history to play in all three phases of American football...
returned a punt 82 yards for a touchdown. Detroit finally got on the board with two consecutive field goals by Jason Hanson, from 29 and 35 yards out respectively. After halftime, the Bears defense intercepted Lions QB Matthew Stafford twice for touchdowns. First, Major Wright
Major Wright
Major Wright is an American football free safety for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Bears in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida.-Early years:...
caught one and ran it in 24 yards. Then Charles Tillman
Charles Tillman
Charles "Peanut" Tillman is an American football cornerback for the Chicago Bears of the NFL. He was selected with the 35th overall pick of the 2003 NFL Draft.-Early years:...
completed a 44 yard pick 6. The Bears added to their large lead with a 50 yard field goal. The Lions scored their only points of the second half with a 10 yard touchdown catch by Tony Scheffler. This was the Lions' first road loss of the season.
Week 11: vs. Carolina Panthers
In week 11, the Lions hosted the Carolina Panthers2011 Carolina Panthers season
The 2011 Carolina Panthers season will be the franchise's 17th season in the National Football League and the first season for Ron Rivera as the head coach. In Week 16 of the 2010 season, the team clinched the NFL's worst record of the year and was given the #1 pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, with...
. The Panthers took an early lead in the first quarter when Olindo Mare
Olindo Mare
Olindo Franco Mare is an American football placekicker for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 1996...
kicked a 27 yard field goal, and made it 10–0 when Steve Smith caught a 15 yard touchdown pass. The Lions answered in the second quarter when Kevin Smith ran in a touchdown from 28 yards out. Carolina responded with 2 touchdowns. First, Kealoha Pilares
Kealoha Pilares
Kealoha Pilares is an American football wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers. He was drafted by the Panthers in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He partially tore his PCL in the 2010 Hawai'i Bowl....
returned a kickoff the entire length of the field for 7 points, then a few minutes later, QB Cam Newton
Cam Newton
Cameron Lemark Newton is a former American football safety. He played college football at Furman University, then played two seasons in the NFL, one each for the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers. He was cut from the Panthers before the 2007 season...
ran it in himself for another 7. At this point, the Lions were down by 17 points with the score 24-7. The Lions' Titus Young then caught a 3 yard pass for a TD. The Panthers kicked a 31 yard field goal just before halftime, putting the Lions down by 13 points. After the break, the Lions mounted yet another second half comeback with 3 consecutive touchdowns. First, Nate Burleson caught a 6 yard pass, then Tony Scheffler caught a 17 yard pass, giving the Lions their first lead of the game. Then in the 4th quarter, Kevin Smith scored his second touchdown of the game, this one on a 4 yard rush. The Panthers scored their only points of the second half when Cam Newton recorded his second rushing touchdown; Carolina's Steve Smith then completed a 2-point conversion to tie the game. A few minutes later, Detroit retook the lead when Brandon Pettigrew caught a 7 yard pass for a TD. The Lions capped their victory with Kevin Smith's third touchdown of the game, this one on a 19 yard rush.
By winning this game after trailing by 17 points, the Lions are the first team in NFL history that have won 3 games in one season in which they trailed by at least 17 points.
Week 12: vs. Green Bay Packers (Thanksgiving Classic)
For their annual Thanksgiving ClassicThanksgiving Classic
The National Football League's Thanksgiving Classic is a series of games played during the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States. It has been a regular occurrence since the league's inception in 1920. Since 2006, three games are played every Thanksgiving...
game, the Lions hosted their NFC North Division rivals, the undefeated Green Bay Packers
2011 Green Bay Packers season
The 2011 Green Bay Packers season is the franchise's 91st season in the National Football League, the 93rd season overall and the sixth under head coach Mike McCarthy...
, which was the first time the teams played on Thanksgiving since 1962
1962 NFL season
The 1962 NFL season was the 43rd regular season of the National Football League. Before the season, CBS signed a contract with the league to televise all regular-season games for a $4.65 million annual fee....
, which the Lions won 26–14. After a scoreless first quarter, Detroit trailed in the second quarter after Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Charles Rodgers is an American football quarterback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . Rodgers was selected in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Packers...
completed a 3-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Greg Jennings
Greg Jennings
Gregory Jennings, Jr. is a professional American football wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League...
. After halftime, Green Bay added to their lead in the third quarter when fullback John Kuhn
John Kuhn
John Allen Kuhn is an American football fullback, currently playing for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2005. John attended Dover Area High School in Dover, Pennsylvania...
scored with a 1-yard touchdown run, followed by a 65-yard touchdown catch to wide receiver James Jones
James Jones (wide receiver)
James Deandre Jones is an American football wide receiver with the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Packers in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
. Later, Mason Crosby
Mason Crosby
Mason Walker Crosby , is a professional American football placekicker for the Green Bay Packers in the National Football League. During his playing days at the University of Colorado, Crosby was widely considered the best kicker in college football, as evidenced by ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr.'s...
scored with a 35-yard field goal. Detroit finally get on the board in the fourth quarter with a 16-yard touchdown run from running back Keiland Williams (with a successful two-point conversion pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford to wide receiver Titus Young), but the Packers pulled away when Crosby booted a 32-yard field goal. The Lions closed out the game when Stafford hooked up with wide receiver Calvin Johnson on a 3-yard touchdown pass late in the final quarter.
Regular season statistical leaders
| Player(s) | Value | NFL Rank | NFC Rank | |
| Passing Yards | Matthew Stafford | 3119 Yards | 4th | 3rd |
| Passing Touchdowns | Matthew Stafford | 26 TDs | 2nd | 2nd |
| Rushing Yards | Jahvid Best | 390 Yards | 33rd | 16th |
| Rushing Touchdowns | Kevin Smith and Jahvid Best | 2 TDs | T-32nd | T-13th |
| Receiving Yards | Calvin Johnson | 1032 Yards | 2nd | 1st |
| Receiving Touchdowns | Calvin Johnson | 12 TDs | 1st | 1st |
| Points | Jason Hanson | 90 Points | T-7th | T-5th |
| Kickoff Return Yards | Stefan Logan | 494 Yards | 15th | 8th |
| Punt Return Yards | Stefan Logan | 212 Yards | 17th | 8th |
| Tackles | DeAndre Levy | 81 Tackles | T-13th | 9th |
| Sacks | Cliff Avril | 7 Sacks | T-12th | T-8th |
| Interceptions | Chris Houston | 4 INTs | T-5th | T-3rd |
stats are correct through Week 12.