2015 Detroit Lions season

• On March 10, the Lions traded their fourth and fifth-round picks to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for defensive tackle Haloti Ngata and a seventh-round pick.{{cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/lions-acquire-haloti-ngata-in-trade-with-ravens-0ap3000000477783 |title=Lions acquire Haloti Ngata in trade with Ravens |work=National Football League |first=Chris |last=Wesseling |date=March 10, 2015 |access-date=March 10, 2015}}
• On April 15, the Lions traded defensive end George Johnson and a seventh-round pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for a fifth-round pick.{{cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/lions-trade-george-johnson-to-buccaneers-0ap3000000485460 |title=Lions trade George Johnson to Buccaneers |work=National Football League |first=Kevin |last=Patra |date=April 15, 2015 |access-date=April 15, 2015}}
• On August 3, the Lions traded Mohammed Seisay to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2016 NFL draft.{{cite web |url=http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider-short/article-1/TWENTYMAN-Lions-trade-Mohammed-Seisay-to-Seattle/aae26a99-9d15-4c3b-8bec-a7167fad99b3 |title=Lions trade Mohammed Seisay to Seattle |first=Tim |last=Twentyman |work=Detroit Lions |date=August 2, 2015 |access-date=August 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150803205241/http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider-short/article-1/TWENTYMAN-Lions-trade-Mohammed-Seisay-to-Seattle/aae26a99-9d15-4c3b-8bec-a7167fad99b3 |archive-date=August 3, 2015 |url-status=dead }}

{{main|2015 NFL draft}}

Notes

• The Lions traded their fourth and fifth-round selections (Nos. 122 and 158 overall, respectively) to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for defensive tackle Haloti Ngata and the Ravens' seventh-round selection (No. 231 overall).
• The Lions traded defensive end George Johnson and their seventh-round selection (No. 231 overall) to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for a fifth-round selection (No. 168 overall).
• The Lions traded their first-round selection (No. 23 overall) to the Denver Broncos in exchange for Denver's 2015 first and fifth-round selections (Nos. 28 and 143 overall, respectively), their fifth-round selection in the 2016 NFL draft, and guard Manny Ramirez.{{cite web |url=http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Detroit-Lions-trade-back-draft-guard-Laken-Tomlinson/553e17ba-1207-4f85-8873-0b59d38bee47 |title=Detroit Lions trade back, draft guard Laken Tomlinson |first=Tim |last=Twentyman |work=Detroit Lions |date=April 30, 2015 |access-date=April 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150502194928/http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Detroit-Lions-trade-back-draft-guard-Laken-Tomlinson/553e17ba-1207-4f85-8873-0b59d38bee47 |archive-date=May 2, 2015 |url-status=dead }}
• The Lions traded their third and fifth-round selections (Nos. 88 and 143 overall, respectively) to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a third-round selection (No. 80 overall).{{cite web |url=http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Detroit-Lions-trade-up-draft-cornerback-Alex-Carter/041ea319-69eb-4c75-bb4f-eb1a1f67b235 |title=Detroit Lions trade up, draft cornerback Alex Carter |first=Tim |last=Twentyman |work=Detroit Lions |date=May 1, 2015 |access-date=May 1, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504210827/http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Detroit-Lions-trade-up-draft-cornerback-Alex-Carter/041ea319-69eb-4c75-bb4f-eb1a1f67b235 |archive-date=May 4, 2015 |url-status=dead }}
• The Lions traded their third-round selection in the 2016 NFL draft to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a fourth-round selection (No. 113 overall).{{cite web |url=http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Detroit-Lions-trade-up-draft-defensive-tackle-Gabe-Wright/244c1cbc-27ce-489a-ad7d-0303a2e98ebd |title=Detroit Lions trade up, draft defensive tackle Gabe Wright |first=Tim |last=Twentyman |work=Detroit Lions |date=May 2, 2015 |access-date=May 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321195510/http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Detroit-Lions-trade-up-draft-defensive-tackle-Gabe-Wright/244c1cbc-27ce-489a-ad7d-0303a2e98ebd |archive-date=March 21, 2016 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}

{{NFL final roster

|Year=2015

|TeamName=Detroit Lions

|BC1=#005A8B

|FC1=#FFFFFF

|BDC1=#B0B7BC

|Active=53

|Inactive=11

|PS=8

|Quarterbacks=

{{NFLplayer| 8|Dan Orlovsky}}

{{NFLplayer| 9|Matthew Stafford}}

|Running Backs=

{{NFLplayer|21|Ameer Abdullah|rookie=y}}

{{NFLplayer|35|Joique Bell}}

{{NFLplayer|46|Michael Burton|d=American football|FB|rookie=y}}

{{NFLplayer|25|Theo Riddick}}

{{NFLplayer|38|George Winn|d=American football}}

|Wide Receivers=

{{NFLplayer|10|Corey Fuller|d=wide receiver}}

{{NFLplayer|81|Calvin Johnson}}

{{NFLplayer|13|T. J. Jones}}

{{NFLplayer|16|Lance Moore}}

{{NFLplayer|15|Golden Tate}}

|Tight Ends=

{{NFLplayer|85|Eric Ebron}}

{{NFLplayer|80|Bear Pascoe}}

{{NFLplayer|83|Tim Wright|d=American football}}

|Offensive Linemen=

{{NFLplayer|60|Braxston Cave|C}}

{{NFLplayer|65|Gabe Ikard|C}}

{{NFLplayer|77|Cornelius Lucas|T}}

{{NFLplayer|74|Michael Ola|T}}

{{NFLplayer|63|Manny Ramirez|d=American football|G/C}}

{{NFLplayer|71|Riley Reiff|T}}

{{NFLplayer|70|Corey Robinson|d=offensive tackle|T|rookie=y}}

{{NFLplayer|72|Laken Tomlinson|G|rookie=y}}

{{NFLplayer|75|Larry Warford|G}}

|Defensive Linemen=

{{NFLplayer|94|Ezekiel Ansah|DE}}

{{NFLplayer|99|Jermelle Cudjo|DT}}

{{NFLplayer|61|Kerry Hyder|DE}}

{{NFLplayer|91|Jason Jones|d=defensive end|DE}}

{{NFLplayer|92|Haloti Ngata|DT}}

{{NFLplayer|97|Caraun Reid|DT}}

{{NFLplayer|52|Darryl Tapp|DE}}

{{NFLplayer|98|Devin Taylor|d=American football|DE}}

{{NFLplayer|67|Khyri Thornton|DT}}

{{NFLplayer|78|C. J. Wilson|d=defensive end|DE}}

{{NFLplayer|90|Gabe Wright|DT|rookie=y}}

|Linebackers=

{{NFLplayer|57|Josh Bynes|OLB}}

{{NFLplayer|95|Brandon Copeland|d=linebacker|OLB}}

{{NFLplayer|50|Travis Lewis|MLB/OLB}}

{{NFLplayer|53|Kyle Van Noy|OLB}}

{{NFLplayer|59|Tahir Whitehead|OLB}}

{{NFLplayer|55|Stephen Tulloch|MLB}}

|Defensive Backs=

{{NFLplayer|42|Isa Abdul-Quddus|SS}}

{{NFLplayer|29|Crezdon Butler|CB|}}

{{NFLplayer|26|Don Carey|d=cornerback|FS}}

{{NFLplayer|28|Quandre Diggs|CB|rookie=y}}

{{NFLplayer|32|James Ihedigbo|SS}}

{{NFLplayer|43|Isaiah Johnson|SS|d=American football, born May 1992|rookie=y}}

{{NFLplayer|24|Nevin Lawson|CB}}

{{NFLplayer|27|Glover Quin|FS}}

{{NFLplayer|23|Darius Slay|CB}}

|Special Teams=

{{NFLplayer| 6|Sam Martin|d=American football|P}}

{{NFLplayer|48|Don Muhlbach|LS}}

{{NFLplayer| 5|Matt Prater|K}}

|Reserve Lists=

{{NFLplayer|33|Alex Carter|d=cornerback|CB|rookie=y|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|68|Darren Keyton|C|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|54|DeAndre Levy|OLB|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|31|Rashean Mathis|CB|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|87|Brandon Pettigrew|TE|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|64|Travis Swanson|C|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|82|Jordan Thompson|d=American football|TE|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|93|Tyrunn Walker|DT|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|30|Josh Wilson|d=American football|CB|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|99|Corey Wootton|DE|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|34|Zach Zenner|rookie=y|RB|IR}}

|Practice Squad=

{{NFLplayer|49|Khaseem Greene|OLB|}}

{{NFLplayer|36|Kendall James|CB}}

{{NFLplayer|86|Casey Pierce|TE|rookie=y}}

{{NFLplayer|18|Ryan Spadola|WR}}

{{NFLplayer| 2|Ricky Stanzi|QB}}

{{NFLplayer|73|Tyrus Thompson|T|rookie=y}}

{{NFLplayer|19|Corey Washington|WR}}

{{NFLplayer|79|Larry Webster|d3=III|DE}}

}}

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week One: Detroit Lions at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

|date=September 13

|time=4:05 p.m. EDT/1:05 p.m. PDT

|road=Lions

|R1=7|R2=14|R3=0|R4=7

|home=Chargers

|H1=3|H2=7|H3=10|H4=13

|stadium=Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

|attendance=66,093

|weather={{convert|84|F|C}}, sunny

|referee=Clete Blakeman

|TV=Fox

|TVAnnouncers=Thom Brennaman, Charles Davis and Tony Siragusa

|reference= [http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2015091308/2015/REG1/lions@chargers Recap], [http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/56512/SD_Gamebook.pdf Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

• DET - Ameer Abdullah 24 yard rush. Matt Prater kick is good. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 4:14. Lions 7–0.
• SD - Josh Lambo 32 yard field goal. Drive: 13 plays, 73 yards, 7:02. Lions 7–3.

Second quarter

• DET - Glover Quin 31 yard interception return. Matt Prater kick is good. Drive: 3 plays, 9 yards, 1:32. Lions 14–3.
• DET - Eric Ebron pass from Matthew Stafford for 18 yards. Matt Prater kick is good. Drive: 4 plays, 46 yards, 2:06. Lions 21–3.
• SD - Danny Woodhead 9 yard rush. Josh Lambo kick is good. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 3:47. Lions 21–10.

Third quarter

• SD - Josh Lambo 25 yard field goal. Drive: 12 plays, 73 yards, 5:39. Lions 21–13.
• SD - Stevie Johnson pass from Philip Rivers for 12 yards. Josh Lambo kick is good. Drive: 3 plays, 16 yards, 1:12. Lions 21–20.

Fourth quarter

• SD - Ladarius Green pass from Philip Rivers for 13 yards. Josh Lambo kick is no good. Drive: 7 plays, 70 yards, 3:52. Chargers 26–21.
• SD - Danny Woodhead 1 yard rush. Josh Lambo kick is good. Drive: 11 plays, 86 yards, 6:18. Chargers 33–21.
• DET - Theo Riddick 21 yard pass from Matthew Stafford. Matt Prater kick is good. Drive: 7 plays, 83 yards, 1:29. Chargers 33–28.

|stats=

Top passers

• DET – Matthew Stafford - 19/30, 246 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT
• SD – Philip Rivers - 35/42, 404 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

• DET – Ameer Abdullah - 7 rushes, 50 yds, 1 TD
• SD – Melvin Gordon - 14 rushes, 51 yds

Top receivers

• DET – Eric Ebron - 4 catches, 53 yds, 1 TD
• SD – Keenan Allen - 15 catches, 166 yds

}}

The visiting Lions opened the 2015 season at San Diego. Detroit held a 21–3 lead midway through the second quarter, only to see the Chargers reel off 30 unanswered points on their way to a 33–28 victory.

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week Two: Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

|date=September 20

|time=1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT

|road=Lions

|R1=0|R2=10|R3=0|R4=6

|home=Vikings

|H1=7|H2=10|H3=6|H4=3

|stadium=TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

|attendance=52,319

|weather={{convert|67|F|C}}, partly cloudy

|referee=Bill Vinovich

|TV=Fox

|TVAnnouncers=Sam Rosen, Kirk Morrison and Peter Schrager

|reference=[http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2015092007/2015/REG2/lions@vikings Recap], [http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/56525/MIN_Gamebook.pdf Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

• MIN - Kyle Rudolph 5 yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater. Blair Walsh kick is good. 11 plays, 75 yards, 4:35. Vikings 7–0.

Second quarter

• MIN - Teddy Bridgewater 1 yard run. Blair Walsh kick is good. 7 plays, 50 yards, 2:58. Vikings 14–0.
• DET - Matt Prater 26 yard field goal. 14 plays, 72 yards, 7:14. Vikings 14–3.
• MIN - Blair Walsh 28 yard field goal. 9 plays, 70 yards, 4:40. Vikings 17–3.
• DET - Calvin Johnson 11 yard pass from Matthew Stafford. Matt Prater kick is good. 8 plays, 73 yards, 1:58. Vikings 17–10.

Third quarter

• MIN - Zach Line 1 yard run. Blair Walsh kick is no good. 6 plays, 34 yards, 2:31. Vikings 23–10.

Fourth quarter

• MIN - Blair Walsh 23 yard field goal. 10 plays, 34 yards, 5:46. Vikings 26–10.
• DET - Eric Ebron 12 yard pass from Matthew Stafford. Two-point conversion attempt failed. 18 plays, 82 yards, 4:32. Vikings 26–16.

|stats=

Top passers

• DET – Matthew Stafford - 32/53, 286 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
• MIN – Teddy Bridgewater - 14/18, 153 yards, 1 TD

Top rushers

• DET – Matthew Stafford - 4 carries, 20 yards
• MIN – Adrian Peterson - 29 carries, 134 yards

Top receivers

• DET – Calvin Johnson - 10 receptions, 83 yards, 1 TD
• MIN – Adrian Peterson - 2 receptions, 58 yards

}}

The Vikings took an early 14–0 lead on the visiting Lions and never looked back, as Detroit struggled to find any offensive consistency, especially in the running game. (Quarterback Matthew Stafford was the leading rusher with only 20 yards.)

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week Three: Denver Broncos at Detroit Lions – Game summary

|date=September 27

|time=8:30 p.m. EDT

|road=Broncos

|R1=0|R2=14|R3=0|R4=10

|home=Lions

|H1=0|H2=6|H3=6|H4=0

|stadium=Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

|attendance=62,920

|weather=Played indoors (dome stadium)

|referee=Jeff Triplette

|TV=NBC

|TVAnnouncers=Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Michele Tafoya

|reference=[http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2015092713/2015/REG3/broncos@lions Recap], [http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/56549/DET_Gamebook.pdf Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

• No scoring plays

Second quarter

• DEN - Ronnie Hillman 1 yard rush. Brandon McManus kick is good. 12 plays, 80 yards, 6:25. Broncos 7–0
• DET - Joique Bell 1 yard rush. Matt Prater kick is blocked. 9 plays, 80 yards, 3:51. Broncos 7–6.
• DEN - Demaryius Thomas pass from Peyton Manning for 45 yards. Brandon McManus kick is good. 7 plays, 80 yards, 0:58. Broncos 14–6.

Third quarter

• DET -Ameer Abdullah 16 yard pass from Matthew Stafford. Two-point conversion is no good. 4 plays, 29 yards, 2:09. Broncos 14–12.

Fourth quarter

• DEN - Brandon McManus 48 yard field goal is good. 5 plays, 19 yards, 2:22. Broncos 17–12.
• DEN - Owen Daniels 11 yard pass from Peyton Manning. Brandon McManus kick is good. 5 plays, 51 yards, 1:09. Broncos 24–12.

|stats=

Top passers

• DEN – Peyton Manning - 31/42, 324 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
• DET – Matthew Stafford - 31/45, 282 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT's

Top rushers

• DEN – C.J. Anderson - 8 carries, 18 yards
• DET – Ameer Abdullah - 8 carries, 23 yards

Top receivers

• DEN – Demaryius Thomas - 9 receptions, 92 yards, 1 TD
• DET – Calvin Johnson - 8 receptions, 77 yards

}}

Playing in their home debut, the 0–2 Lions closed the game to 14–12 in the third quarter, but a two-point conversion to tie the score failed. Denver then scored the final 10 points for a 24–12 victory.

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week Four: Detroit Lions at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary

|date={{tooltip|October 5|Monday}}

|time=8:30 p.m. EDT/5:30 p.m. PDT

|road=Lions

|R1=0|R2=3|R3=0|R4=7

|home=Seahawks

|H1=0|H2=10|H3=3|H4=0

|stadium=CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington

|attendance=69,005

|weather=Sunny, {{convert|74|F|C}}

|referee=Tony Corrente

|TV=ESPN

|TVAnnouncers=Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden and Lisa Salters

|reference=[http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2015100500/2015/REG4/lions@seahawks Recap], [http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/56565/SEA_Gamebook.pdf Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

• No scoring plays

Second quarter

• SEA - Doug Baldwin 24 yard pass from Russell Wilson. Steven Hauschka kick is good. Drive: 6 plays, 67 yards, 2:59. Seahawks 7–0.
• DET - Matt Prater 41 yard field goal. Drive: 12 plays, 57 yards, 5:40. Seahawks 7–3.
• SEA - Steven Hauschka 51 yard field goal. Drive: 10 plays, 46 yards, 4:16. Seahawks 10–3.

Third quarter

• SEA - Steven Hauschka 52 yard field goal. Drive: 8 plays, 30 yards, 3:49. Seahawks 13–3.

Fourth quarter

• DET - Caraun Reid 27 yard fumble return. Matt Prater kick is good. Seahawks 13–10.

|stats=

Top passers

• DET – Matthew Stafford - 24/35, 203 yards
• SEA – Russell Wilson - 20/26, 287 yards, 1 TD

Top rushers

• DET – Ameer Abdullah - 13 carries, 33 yards
• SEA – Thomas Rawls - 17 carries, 48 yards

Top receivers

• DET – Calvin Johnson - 7 receptions, 56 yards
• SEA – Jermaine Kearse - 2 receptions, 84 yards

}}

Playing on Monday Night, the Lions had a chance to upset last year's NFC Champion Seattle Seahawks. Late in the fourth quarter, Calvin Johnson caught a pass from Matthew Stafford and was headed for a go-ahead touchdown until Kam Chancellor punched the ball from his hands at Seattle's 1-yard line. As the ball bounded into the end zone, K. J. Wright batted the ball across the end line. By NFL rules, the intentional guiding of the ball across the end line should have resulted in a penalty, giving the ball back to the Lions at the spot of the fumble. But the back judge ruled that Wright's act was not blatant, and Seattle was given the ball at their own 20-yard line, after which they proceeded to run out the clock.

Dean Blandino, NFL VP of Officiating, stated after the game that the on-field officials made a mistake, and Detroit should have regained possession at the 1-yard line.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracker/recap/NFL_20151005_DET@SEA |title=Chancellor's big play allows Seattle to beat Detroit 13-10 |first=Tim |last=Booth |date=October 6, 2015 |access-date=October 21, 2015}}

With the loss, the Lions are 0–4, their worst start since 2010. With the Saints' win over the Cowboys on Sunday Night, the Lions are the league's only winless team.

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week Five: Arizona Cardinals at Detroit Lions – Game summary

|date=October 11

|time=4:05 p.m. EDT

|road=Cardinals

|R1=0|R2=28|R3=7|R4=7

|home=Lions

|H1=7|H2=0|H3=0|H4=10

|stadium=Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

|attendance=60,816

|weather=Played indoors (dome stadium)

|referee=Gene Steratore

|TV=Fox

|TVAnnouncers=Justin Kutcher, Daryl Johnston and Holly Sonders

|reference=[http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2015101108/2015/REG5/cardinals@lions Recap], [http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/56575/DET_Gamebook.pdf Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

• DET - Theo Riddick pass from Matthew Stafford for 6 yards. Matt Prater kick is good. Drive: 7 plays, 82 yards, 3:48. Lions 7–0.

Second quarter

• ARI - Darren Fells pass from Carson Palmer for 14 yards Chandler Catanzaro kick is good. Drive: 5 plays, 71 yards, 2:26. Tied 7–7.
• ARI - David Johnson 4 yard rush. Chandler Catanzaro kick is good. Drive: 1 play, 4 yards, 0:05. Cardinals 14–7.
• ARI - David Johnson 2 yard rush. Chandler Catanzaro kick is good. Drive: 5 plays, 99 yards, 2:25. Cardinals 21–7.
• ARI - John Brown 18 yard pass from Carson Palmer. Chandler Catanzaro kick is good. Drive: 3 plays, 22 yards, 0:47. Cardinals 28–7.

Third quarter

• ARI - Larry Fitzgerald pass from Carson Palmer for 2 yards. Chandler Catanzaro kick is good. Drive: 5 plays, 32 yards, 3:47. Cardinals 35–7.

Fourth quarter

• DET - Matt Prater 40 yard field goal. Drive: 10 plays, 60 yards, 2:13. Cardinals 35–10.
• ARI - Andre Ellington 63 yard rush. Chandler Catanzaro kick is good. Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards, 1:31. Cardinals 42–10.
• DET - Lance Moore pass from Dan Orlovsky for 13 yards. Matt Prater kick is good. Drive: 15 plays, 86 yards, 3:50. Cardinals 42–17.

|stats=

Top passers

• ARI – Carson Palmer - 11/14, 161 yards, 3 TDs
• DET – Dan Orlovsky - 21/38, 1 TD, 1 INT

Top rushers

• ARI – Chris Johnson - 11 carries, 103 yards
• DET – Zach Zenner - 10 carries, 30 yards

Top receivers

• ARI – John Brown - 4 receptions, 73 yards, 1 TD
• DET – Golden Tate - 8 receptions, 74 yards

}}

The highlight of the game was when Calvin Johnson caught his 671st pass with the Lions, breaking Herman Moore's franchise record. Inconsistent play by Matthew Stafford, including throwing 3 interceptions, forced him to the sidelines for the game's remainder. With the blowout loss, the Lions remained winless at 0–5.

This marks the first time the Lions have started a season 0–5 since 2008 (when they went 0-16).

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week Six: Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions – Game summary

|date=October 18

|time=1:00 p.m. EDT

|road=Bears

|R1=3|R2=10|R3=3|R4=18|R5=0

|home=Lions

|H1=7|H2=14|H3=3|H4=10|H5=3

|stadium=Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

|attendance=57,648

|weather=Played indoors (dome stadium)

|referee=Walt Coleman

|TV=Fox

|TVAnnouncers=Chris Myers, Ronde Barber and Jennifer Hale

|reference=[http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2015101800/2015/REG6/bears@lions Recap], [http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/56583/DET_Gamebook.pdf Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

• DET - Lance Moore pass from Matthew Stafford for 20 yards. Matt Prater kick is good. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 5:31. Lions 7–0.
• CHI - Robbie Gould 27 yard field goal. Drive: 10 plays, 71 yards, 4:41. Lions 7–3.

Second quarter

• CHI - Jeremy Langford 1 yard rush. Robbie Gould kick is good. Drive: 10 plays, 67 yards, 4:51. Bears 10–7.
• DET - Timothy Wright pass from Matthew Stafford for 8 yards. Matt Prater kick is good. Drive: 6 plays, 79 yards, 3:31. Lions 14–10.
• CHI - Robbie Gould 23 yard field goal. Drive: 10 plays, 72 yards, 4:27. Lions 14–13.
• DET - Golden Tate pass from Matthew Stafford for 2 yards. Matt Prater kick is good. Drive: 12 plays, 85 yards, 3:57. Lions 21–13.

Third quarter

• CHI - Robbie Gould 38 yard field goal. Drive: 4 plays, 1 yard, 1:30. Lions 21–16.
• DET - Matt Prater 39 yard field goal. Drive: 6 plays, 59 yards, 4:07. Lions 24–16.

Fourth quarter

• CHI - Alshon Jeffery pass from Jay Cutler. Robbie Gould kick is good. Drive: 3 plays, 21 yards, 1:31. Lions 24–23.
• CHI - Matt Forte 2 yard rush. Matt Forte pass from Jay Cutler two-point conversion is good. Drive: 7 plays, 24 yards, 3:09: Bears 31–24.
• DET - Matt Prater 32 yard field goal. Drive: 13 plays, 67 yards, 5:04. Bears 31–27.
• DET - Calvin Johnson pass from Matthew Stafford for 6 yards. Matt Prater kick is good. Drive: 5 plays, 66 yards, 2:02. Lions 34–31.
• CHI - Robbie Gould 29 yard field goal. Drive: 3 plays, 69 yards, 0:21. Tied 34–34.

Overtime

• DET - Matt Prater 27 yard field goal. Drive: 8 plays, 77 yards, 3:54. Lions 37–34.

|stats=

Top passers

• CHI – Jay Cutler - 26/41, 353 yards, 1 TD
• DET – Matthew Stafford - 27/42, 405 yards, 4 TDs

Top rushers

• CHI – Matt Forte - 24 carries, 69 yards
• DET – Ameer Abdullah - 14 carries, 48 yards

Top receivers

• CHI – Alshon Jeffery - 8 receptions, 147 yards
• DET – Calvin Johnson - 6 receptions, 166 yards

}}

With an overtime victory over the visiting Chicago Bears, the Detroit Lions are no longer winless, improving to 1–5. A 57-yard bomb from Matthew Stafford to Calvin Johnson with under three minutes to play in overtime set up Matt Prater for the game-winning 27-yard field goal.

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week Seven: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions – Game summary

|date=October 25

|time=1:00 p.m. EDT

|road=Vikings

|R1=3|R2=12|R3=10|R4=3

|home=Lions

|H1=14|H2=3|H3=0|H4=2

|stadium=Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

|attendance=60,231

|weather=Played indoors (dome stadium)

|referee=Ed Hochuli

|TV=Fox

|TVAnnouncers=Chris Myers, Ronde Barber and Jennifer Hale

|reference=[http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2015102506/2015/REG7/vikings@lions Recap], [http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/56596/DET_Gamebook.pdf Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

• DET - Calvin Johnson 1 yard pass from Matthew Stafford. Matt Prater kick is good. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:50. Lions 7–0.
• MIN - Blair Walsh 37 yard field goal is good. Drive: 15 plays, 63 yards, 7:23. Lions 7–3.
• DET - Eric Ebron 7 yard pass from Matthew Stafford. Matt Prater kick is good. Drive: 4 plays, 80 yards, 2:23. Lions 14–3.

Second quarter

• MIN - Blair Walsh 53 yard field goal is good. Drive: 9 plays, 37 yards, 5:13. Lions 14–6.
• DET - Matt Prater 52 yard field goal is good. Drive: 6 plays, 8 yards, 2:53. Lions 17–6.
• MIN - Kyle Rudolph 1 yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater. Blair Walsh kick is no good. Drive: 7 plays, 79 yards, 3:14. Lions 17–12.
• MIN - Blair Walsh 51 yard field goal is good. Drive: 8 plays, 19 yards, 1:13. Lions 17–15.

Third quarter

• MIN - Stefon Diggs 36 yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater. Blair Walsh Kick is good. Drive: 8 plays, 78 yards, 4:41. Vikings 22–17.
• MIN - Blair Walsh 35 yard field goal is good. Drive: 5 plays, 61 yards, 2:07. Vikings 25–17.

Fourth quarter

• MIN - Blair Walsh 22 yard field goal is good. Drive: 10 plays, 49 yards, 4:57. Vikings 28–17.
• DET - Vikings punter Jeff Locke steps out of bounds in end zone for a Lions safety. Drive: 4 plays, -1 yard, 0:57. Vikings 28–19.

|stats=

Top passers

• MIN – Teddy Bridgewater - 25/35, 316 yards, 2 TDs
• DET – Matthew Stafford - 18/26, 256 yards, 2 TDs

Top rushers

• MIN – Adrian Peterson - 19 carries, 98 yards
• DET – Ameer Abdullah - 8 carries, 43 yards

Top receivers

• MIN – Stefon Diggs - 6 receptions, 108 yards, 1 TD
• DET – Eric Ebron - 5 receptions, 89 yards, 1 TD

}}

Despite leading 17–15 at halftime, the Lions only managed to score 2 more points the rest of the game on an intentional safety taken by the Vikings in the closing seconds, losing 28–19 and dropping to 1–6. Quarterback Matthew Stafford was hit 13 times and sacked 7 times. The next day, the Lions fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, offensive line coach Jeremiah Washburn and assistant offensive line coach Terry Heffernan. Quarterbacks coach Jim Bob Cooter will take over as offensive coordinator, tight ends coach Ron Prince takes over for Washburn, and special teams assistant Devin Fitzsimmons takes over as the new tight ends coach.{{cite web |url=http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider-short/article-1/TWENTYMAN-Lions-reorganize-offensive-staff/e43f2473-06f7-44ea-a574-a4f41c520bac |title=Lions reorganize offensive staff |work=Detroit Lions |first=Tim |last=Twentyman |date=October 26, 2015 |access-date=October 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151028014308/http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider-short/article-1/TWENTYMAN-Lions-reorganize-offensive-staff/e43f2473-06f7-44ea-a574-a4f41c520bac |archive-date=October 28, 2015 |url-status=dead }}

{{see also|NFL International Series}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week Eight: Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary

|date=November 1

|time=2:30 p.m. GMT/9:30 a.m. EST

|road=Lions

|R1=3|R2=0|R3=0|R4=7

|home=Chiefs

|H1=7|H2=17|H3=7|H4=14

|stadium=Wembley Stadium, London, England

|attendance=83,624

|weather={{convert|50|F|C}}, cloudy

|referee=Jeff Triplette

|TV=Fox

|TVAnnouncers=Sam Rosen, John Lynch and Pam Oliver

|reference=[http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2015110100/2015/REG8/lions@chiefs Recap], [http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/56609/KC_Gamebook.pdf Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

• DET - Matt Prater 35 yard field goal is good. Drive: 10 plays, 63 yards, 5:51. Lions 3–0.
• KC - De'Anthony Thomas 10 yard run. Cairo Santos kick is good. Drive: 9 plays, 56 yards, 5:02. Chiefs 7–3.

Second quarter

• KC - Alex Smith 12 yard run. Cairo Santos kick is good. Drive: 7 plays, 73 yards, 2:47. Chiefs 14–3.
• KC - Cairo Santos 33 yard field goal is good. Drive: 6 plays, 22 yards, 2:42. Chiefs 17–3.
• KC - Charcandrick West 8 yard run. Cairo Santos kick is good. Drive: 6 plays, 52 yards, 2:53. Chiefs 24–3.

Third quarter

• KC - Travis Kelce 2 yard pass from Alex Smith. Cairo Santos kick is good. Drive: 11 plays, 61 yards, 6:07. Chiefs 31–3.

Fourth quarter

• KC - Jeremy Maclin 17 yard pass from Alex Smith. Cairo Santos kick is good. Drive: 2 plays, 16 yards, 0:46. Chiefs 38–3.
• DET - Lance Moore 21 yard pass from Matthew Stafford. Matt Prater kick is good. Drive: 7 plays, 77 yards, 2:50. Chiefs 38–10.
• KC - Spencer Ware 4 yard run. Cairo Santos kick is good. Drive: 2 plays, 41 yards, 0:41. Chiefs 45–10.

|stats=

Top passers

• DET – Matthew Stafford - 22/36, 217 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
• KC – Alex Smith - 18/26, 145 yards, 2 TDs

Top rushers

• DET – Joique Bell - 7 carries, 56 yards
• KC – Charcandrick West - 20 carries, 97 yards, 1 TD

Top receivers

• DET – Calvin Johnson - 5 receptions, 85 yards
• KC – Travis Kelce - 6 receptions, 49 yards, 1 TD

}}

After the blowout overseas loss, the Lions entered their bye week at 1–7, the NFL's worst record so far this season. Despite the changeover in offensive coaches, Matthew Stafford was sacked six more times. On November 5, the Lions fired President Tom Lewand and general manager Martin Mayhew. Former vice president of pro personnel Sheldon White will serve as the team's interim general manager.

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week Ten: Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers – Game summary

|date=November 15

|time=1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST

|road=Lions

|R1=0|R2=3|R3=6|R4=9

|home=Packers

|H1=3|H2=0|H3=0|H4=13

|stadium=Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

|attendance=78,526

|weather=Sunny, {{convert|55|F|C}}

|referee=John Hussey

|TV=Fox

|TVAnnouncers=Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Erin Andrews

|reference=[http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2015111501/2015/REG10/lions@packers Recap], [http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/56637/GB_Gamebook.pdf Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

• GB - Mason Crosby 44 yard field goal is good. Drive: 12 plays, 57 yards, 4:54. Packers 3–0.

Second quarter

• DET - Matt Prater 49 yard field goal is good. Drive: 5 plays, 22 yards, 0:33. Tied 3–3.

Third quarter

• DET - Brandon Pettigrew pass from Matthew Stafford for 2 yards. Matt Prater kick is no good. Drive: 3 plays, 1 yard, 1:27. Lions 9–3.

Fourth quarter

• DET - Matt Prater 51 yard field goal is good. Drive: 5 plays, 22 yards, 1:39. Lions 12–3.
• GB - Richard Rodgers pass from Aaron Rodgers for 4 yards. Mason Crosby kick is good. Drive: 11 plays, 78 yards, 4:05. Lions 12–10.
• DET - Lance Moore pass from Matthew Stafford for 4 yards. Matt Prater kick is no good. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 3:58. Lions 18–10.
• GB - Justin Perillo pass from Aaron Rodgers for 11 yards. Two point conversion attempt is no good. Drive: 8 plays, 73 yards, 1:25. Lions 18–16.

|stats=

Top passers

• DET – Matthew Stafford - 24/38, 242 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
• GB – Aaron Rodgers - 35/61, 333 yards, 2 TDs

Top rushers

• DET – Joique Bell - 14 carries, 17 yards
• GB – James Starks - 15 carries, 42 yards

Top receivers

• DET – Calvin Johnson - 6 receptions, 81 yards
• GB – Davante Adams - 10 receptions, 79 yards

}}

The 1–7 Lions withstood a late rally to earn an upset win over the 6–2 Packers. This was the first Lions win over Green Bay in Wisconsin since 1991.{{cite web|first=Dan|last=Hanzus|title=Lions stun Packers, break long losing skid in Green Bay|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/lions-stun-packers-break-long-losing-skid-in-green-bay-0ap3000000580302|work=NFL.com|date=November 15, 2015|access-date=November 15, 2015}} Ameer Abdullah set up the Lions first touchdown when he returned a kickoff 104 yards, and was stopped at the one-yard line. This tied the record set by Percy Harvin in 2011 for the longest non-scoring play in NFL history.{{cite web| url = https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/14137488/ameer-abdullah-detroit-lions-ties-nfl-record-104-yard-kickoff-return-vs-green-bay-packers | title = Ameer Abdullah ties NFL record with 104-yard kickoff return vs. Packers | publisher = ESPN | first = Michael | last = Rothstein | date = November 15, 2015 | access-date = November 15, 2015 }}

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week Eleven: Oakland Raiders at Detroit Lions – Game summary

|date=November 22

|time=1:00 p.m. EST

|road=Raiders

|R1=0|R2=0|R3=13|R4=0

|home=Lions

|H1=6|H2=3|H3=0|H4=9

|stadium=Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

|attendance=60,202

|weather=Played indoors (dome stadium)

|referee=Clete Blakeman

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=Andrew Catalon, Steve Beuerlein and Steve Tasker

|reference=[http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2015112201/2015/REG11/raiders@lions Recap], [http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/56654/DET_Gamebook.pdf Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

• DET - Matt Prater 29 yard field goal is good. Drive: 13 plays, 67 yards, 7:06. Lions 3–0.
• DET - Matt Prater 41 yard field goal is good. Drive: 10 plays, 53 yards, 5:30. Lions 6–0.

Second quarter

• DET - Matt Prater 51 yard field goal is good. Drive: 11 plays, 57 yards, 2:38. Lions 9–0.

Third quarter

• OAK - Latavius Murray 1 yard rush. Sabastian Janikowski kick is good. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 4:36. Lions 9–7.
• OAK - Sebastian Janikowski 48 yard field goal is good. Drive: 7 plays, 22 yards, 2:55. Raiders 10–9.
• OAK - Sebastian Janikowski 56 yard field goal is good. Drive: 5 plays, 35 yards, 2:06. Raiders 13–9.

Fourth quarter

• DET - Matthew Stafford 5 yard rush. Matt Prater kick is good. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 4:11. Lions 16–13.
• DET - Donald Penn of Raiders tackled in end zone for safety. 2 plays, -8 yards, 0:30. Lions 18–13.

|stats=

Top passers

• OAK – Derek Carr - 13/25, 169 yards
• DET – Matthew Stafford - 22/35, 282 yards

Top rushers

• OAK – Latavius Murray - 13 carries, 28 yards, 1 TD
• DET – Ameer Abdullah - 12 carries, 44 yards

Top receivers

• OAK – Seth Roberts - 2 receptions, 54 yards
• DET – Calvin Johnson - 5 receptions 88 yards

}}

The 18–13 win over the visiting Raiders gave the Lions their first back–to–back victories of the season. The Lions became the first team in NFL history to score exactly 18 points in consecutive games.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/game?gameId=400791636 |title=Stafford's go-ahead TD run helps Lions beat Raiders |work=ESPN |date=November 22, 2015 |access-date=November 22, 2015}}

Thanksgiving Day game

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week Twelve: Philadelphia Eagles at Detroit Lions – Game summary

|date={{tooltip|November 26|Thursday}}

|time=12:30 p.m. EST

|road=Eagles

|R1=0|R2=7|R3=0|R4=7

|home=Lions

|H1=7|H2=17|H3=14|H4=7

|stadium=Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

|attendance=64,445

|weather=Played indoors (dome stadium)

|referee=John Parry

|TV=Fox

|TVAnnouncers=Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Erin Andrews

|reference=[http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2015112600/2015/REG12/eagles@lions Recap], [http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/56663/DET_Gamebook.pdf Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

• DET – Theo Riddick 8-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (Matt Prater kick), 2:14. Lions 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 65 yards, 4:27.

Second quarter

• PHI – Brent Celek 2-yard pass from Mark Sanchez (Caleb Sturgis kick), 14:26. Tied 7–7. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 2:50.
• DET – Golden Tate 2-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (Matt Prater kick), 7:58. Lions 14–7. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 6:27.
• DET – Matt Prater 48-yard field goal, 5:04. Lions 17–7. Drive: 6 plays, 25 yards, 2:21.
• DET – Calvin Johnson 25-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (Matt Prater kick), 0:17. Lions 24–7. Drive: 11 plays, 88 yards, 3:56.

Third quarter

• DET – Calvin Johnson 4-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (Matt Prater kick), 7:13. Lions 31–7. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 7:51.
• DET – Calvin Johnson 3-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (Matt Prater kick), 5:10. Lions 38–7. Drive: 4 plays, 14 yards, 1:28.

Fourth quarter

• DET – Joique Bell 1-yard run (Matt Prater kick), 10:45. Lions 45–7. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:36.
• PHI – Jordan Matthews 24-yard pass from Mark Sanchez (Caleb Sturgis kick), 3:02. Lions 45–14. Drive: 9 plays, 55 yards, 3:07.

|stats=

Top passers

• PHI – Mark Sanchez – 19/27, 199 yards, 2 TD
• DET – Matthew Stafford – 27/38, 337 yards, 5 TD

Top rushers

• PHI – Kenjon Barner – 7 rushes, 30 yards
• DET – Ameer Abdullah – 16 rushes, 63 yards

Top receivers

• PHI – Jordan Matthews – 3 receptions, 60 yards, TD
• DET – Calvin Johnson – 8 receptions, 93 yards, 3 TD

}}

Celebrating their 76th Thanksgiving Day game, the Lions routed the Eagles for their third consecutive win. Matthew Stafford threw five touchdown passes, three of them to Calvin Johnson. Having lost at Ford Field for the first time, the Eagles dropped to 6–1 when playing on Thanksgiving.

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week Thirteen: Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions – Game summary

|date={{tooltip|December 3|Thursday}}

|time=8:25 p.m. EST

|road=Packers

|R1=0|R2=0|R3=14|R4=13 |home=Lions

|H1=17|H2=0|H3=3|H4=3

|stadium=Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

|attendance=63,207

|weather=Played indoors (dome stadium)

|referee=Carl Cheffers

|TV=CBS/NFLN

|TVAnnouncers=Jim Nantz, Phil Simms and Tracy Wolfson

|reference=[http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2015120300/2015/REG13/packers@lions Recap], [http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/56679/DET_Gamebook.pdf Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

• DET – Matt Prater 51-yard field goal, 8:53. Lions 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 35 yards, 4:04.
• DET – Eric Ebron 3-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (Matt Prater kick), 1:53. Lions 10–0. Drive: 8 plays, 76 yards, 4:53.
• DET – Calvin Johnson 17-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (Matt Prater kick), 1:08. Lions 17–0. Drive: 1 play, 17 yards, 0:06.

Second quarter

• No scoring plays.

Third quarter

• DET – Matt Prater 34-yard field goal, 8:58. Lions 20-0. Drive: 11 plays, 66 yards, 6:06.
• GB – Randall Cobb fumble recovery in DET end zone (Mason Crosby kick), 5:53. Lions 20–7. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:10.
• GB – Davante Adams 8-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 4:12. Lions 20–14. Drive: 3 plays, 12 yards, 1:31.

Fourth quarter

• DET – Matt Prater 42-yard field goal, 7:11. Lions 23-14. Drive: 13 plays, 34 yards, 6:29.
• GB – Aaron Rodgers 17-yard run (Mason Crosby kick), 3:12. Lions 23–21. Drive: 11 plays, 84 yards, 4:02.
• GB – Richard Rodgers 61-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (rush failed), 0:00. Packers 27–23. Drive: 4 plays, 79 yards, 0:23.

|stats=

Top passers

• GB – Aaron Rodgers – 24/36, 273 yards, 2 TD, INT
• DET – Matthew Stafford – 23/35, 220 yards, 2 TD

Top rushers

• GB – Aaron Rodgers – 4 rushes, 27 yards, TD
• DET – Ameer Abdullah – 13 rushes, 67 yards

Top receivers

• GB – Richard Rodgers – 8 receptions, 146 yards, TD
• DET – Golden Tate – 8 receptions, 63 yards

}}

Despite the Lions leading the entire game, the Packers won the game after the official clock expired when a controversial facemask penalty against Devin Taylor gave them one extra untimed play. On that play, Aaron Rodgers threw a 61-yard Hail Mary pass to Richard Rodgers for the winning touchdown. The play was later dubbed the "Miracle in Motown".

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week Fourteen: Detroit Lions at St. Louis Rams – Game summary

|date=December 13

|time=1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST

|road=Lions

|R1=0|R2=0|R3=7|R4=7

|home=Rams

|H1=0|H2=7|H3=7|H4=7

|stadium=Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

|attendance=51,202

|weather=Played indoors (dome stadium)

|referee=Walt Anderson

|TV=Fox

|TVAnnouncers=Chris Myers, Ronde Barber and Jennifer Hale

|reference=[http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2015121309/2015/REG14/lions@rams Recap], [http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/56705/STL_Gamebook.pdf Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

• No scoring plays.

Second quarter

• STL – Trumaine Johnson 58-yard interception return (Greg Zuerlein kick), 5:07. Rams 7–0.

Third quarter

• DET – Golden Tate 9-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (Matt Prater kick), 7:39. Tied 7–7. Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 4:21.
• STL – Todd Gurley 5-yard run (Greg Zuerlein kick), 4:02. Rams 14–7. Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 3:38.

Fourth quarter

• STL – Todd Gurley 15-yard run (Greg Zuerlein kick), 12:25. Rams 21–7. Drive: 7 plays, 91 yards, 3:33.
• DET – Golden Tate 2-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (Matt Prater kick), 2:07. Rams 21–14. Drive: 14 plays, 86 yards, 4:13.

|stats=

Top passers

• DET – Matthew Stafford – 30/46, 245 yards, 2 TD, INT
• STL – Case Keenum – 14/22, 124 yards, INT

Top rushers

• DET – Joique Bell – 7 rushes, 50 yards
• STL – Todd Gurley – 16 rushes, 140 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

• DET – Golden Tate – 9 receptions, 60 yards, 2 TD
• STL – Kenny Britt – 2 receptions, 35 yards

}}

After a scoreless first quarter against the Rams in St. Louis, the Lions' attempt at a comeback in the second half fell short. The ninth loss guaranteed a losing season, the team's third in the last four years, and officially eliminated the Lions from playoff contention.

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week Fifteen: Detroit Lions at New Orleans Saints – Game summary

|date={{tooltip|December 21|Monday}}

|time=8:30 p.m. EST/7:30 p.m. CST

|road=Lions

|R1=7|R2=14|R3=7|R4=7

|home=Saints

|H1=3|H2=0|H3=7|H4=17

|stadium=Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

|attendance=73,017

|weather=Played indoors (dome stadium)

|referee=Pete Morelli

|TV=ESPN

|TVAnnouncers=Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden and Lisa Salters

|reference=[http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2015122100/2015/REG15/lions@saints Recap], [http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/56726/NO_Gamebook.pdf Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

• DET - Golden Tate 1 yard pass from Matthew Stafford. Matt Prater kick is good. Drive: 6 plays, 40 yards, 2:34. Lions 7–0.
• NO - Kai Forbath 45 yard field goal. Drive: 12 plays, 56 yards, 6:45. Lions 7–3.

Second quarter

• DET - Michael Burton 4 yard pass from Matthew Stafford. Matt Prater kick is good. Drive: 4 plays, 65 yards, 1:54. Lions 14–3.
• DET - Golden Tate 5 yard pass from Matthew Stafford. Matt Prater kick is good. Drive: 10 plays, 69 yards, 6:38. Lions 21–3.

Third quarter

• DET - Ameer Abdullah 15 yard run. Matt Prater kick is good. Drive: 6 plays, 78 yards, 3:10. Lions 28–3.
• NO - Brandin Cooks 27 yard pass from Drew Brees. Kai Forbath kick is good. Drive: 5 plays, 69 yards, 2:28. Lions 28–10.

Fourth quarter

• NO - Kai Forbath 22 yard field goal. Drive: 8 plays, 69 yards, 3:19. Lions 28–13.
• NO - Marques Colston 11 yard pass from Drew Brees. Kai Forbath kick is good. 5 plays, 38 yards, 2:41. Lions 28–20.
• DET - Joique Bell 1 yard run. Matt Prater kick is good. Drive: 9 plays, 76 yards, 4:42. Lions 35–20.
• NO - Benjamin Watson 1 yard pass from Drew Brees. Kai Forbath kick is good. Drive: 15 plays, 80 yards, 3:29. Lions 35–27.

|stats=

Top passers

• DET – Matthew Stafford - 22/25, 254 yards, 3 TDs
• NO – Drew Brees - 34/52, 341 yards, 3 TDs

Top rushers

• DET – Ameer Abdullah - 9 carries, 77 yards
• NO – Tim Hightower - 13 carries, 54 yards

Top receivers

• DET – Eric Ebron - 4 receptions, 79 yards
• NO – Brandin Cooks - 10 receptions, 124 yards

}}

The Lions defeated the Saints 35–27, as Matthew Stafford posted a single-game career high in passer rating (148.6), and broke Jon Kitna's single-game franchise record with an 88.0 completion percentage (22-for-25).{{cite web|first=Chris|last=Wesseling|title=Streaking Matthew Stafford leads Lions past Saints|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/streaking-matthew-stafford-leads-lions-past-saints-0ap3000000607081|work=NFL.com|date=December 23, 2015|access-date=December 22, 2015}} It was the team's first road win over the Saints since 2005.

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week Sixteen: San Francisco 49ers at Detroit Lions – Game summary

|date=December 27

|time=1:00 p.m. EST

|road=49ers

|R1=7|R2=10|R3=0|R4=0

|home=Lions

|H1=3|H2=17|H3=3|H4=9

|stadium=Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

|attendance=61,313

|weather=Played indoors (dome stadium)

|referee=Bill Vinovich

|TV=Fox

|TVAnnouncers=Thom Brennaman, Charles Davis and Tony Siragusa

|reference=[http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2015122705/2015/REG16/49ers@lions Recap], [http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/56731/DET_Gamebook.pdf Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

• SF - Vance McDonald 1 yard pass from Blaine Gabbert. Phil Dawson kick is good. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 5:36. 49ers 7–0.
• DET - Matt Prater 36 yard field goal is good. Drive: 8 plays, 44 yards, 4:05. Lions 7–3.

Second quarter

• DET - TJ Jones 29 yard pass from Matthew Stafford. Matt Prater kick is good. Drive: 9 plays, 74 yards, 4:39. Lions 10–7.
• SF - Torrey Smith 16 yard pass from Blaine Gabbert. Phil Dawson kick is good. Drive: 7 plays, 82 yards, 2:49. 49ers 14–10.
• DET - Joique Bell 1 yard run. Matt Prater kick. Drive: 1 play, 1 yard, 0:03. Lions 17–14.
• SF - Phil Dawson 40 yd field goal is good. Drive: 9 plays, 68 yards, 2:06. Tied 17–17.
• DET - Matt Prater 38 yard field goal is good. Drive: 4 plays, 60 yards, 0:35. Lions 20–17.

Third quarter

• DET - Matt Prater 37 yard field goal is good. Drive: 11 plays, 64 yards, 6:35. Lions 23–17.

Fourth quarter

• DET - Calvin Johnson 1 yd pass from Matthew Stafford. Drive: 13 plays, 67 yards, 7:27. Lions 29–17.
• DET - Matt Prater 34 yard field goal is good. Drive: 9 plays, 24 yards, 3:43. Lions 32–17.

|stats=

Top passers

• SF – Blaine Gabbert - 22/33, 225 yards, 2 TDs
• DET – Matthew Stafford - 29/37, 301 yards, 2 TDs

Top rushers

• SF – DuJuan Harris - 11 carries, 73 yards
• DET – Ameer Abdullah - 8 carries, 39 yards

Top receivers

• SF – Vance McDonald - 5 receptions, 61 yards, 1 TD
• DET – Calvin Johnson - 6 receptions, 77 yards, 1 TD

}}

After multiple lead changes and a close halftime score, the Lions pulled away and won their last home game of the season, keeping the 49ers scoreless for the entire second half. Theo Riddick caught 7 passes for 63 yards, giving him 668 receiving yards on the season, a Lions franchise record for a running back.{{cite web |url=http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/detroit-lions-theo-riddick-receiving-yardage-record-by-running-back-season-122715 |title=Theo Riddick sets Lions franchise record for receiving yards by a RB |publisher=FoxSports.com |date=December 27, 2015 |access-date=December 29, 2015}}

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Detroit Lions|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week Seventeen: Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears – Game summary

|date=January 3, 2016

|time=1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST

|road=Lions

|R1=7|R2=3|R3=7|R4=7

|home=Bears

|H1=0|H2=0|H3=10|H4=10

|stadium=Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

|attendance=61,177

|weather={{convert|31|F|C}}, cloudy

|referee=John Hussey

|TV=Fox

|TVAnnouncers=Joe Davis, Brady Quinn and Molly McGrath

|reference=[http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016010309/2015/REG17/lions@bears Recap], [http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/56746/CHI_Gamebook.pdf Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

• DET - Timothy Wright 9 yard pass from Matthew Stafford. Matt Prater kick is good. Drive: 9 plays, 77 yards, 4:46. Lions 7–0.

Second quarter

• DET - Matt Prater 59 yard field goal. Drive: 3 plays, -2 yards, 0:11. Lions 10–0.

Third quarter

• CHI - Robbie Gould 49 yard field goal. Drive: 10 plays, 52 yards, 5:57. Lions 10–3.
• CHI - Joshua Bellamy 34 yard pass from Jay Cutler. Robbie Gould kick is good. Drive: 3 plays, 41 yards, 1:22. Tied 10–10.
• DET - Calvin Johnson 36 yard pass from Matthew Stafford. Matt Prater kick is good. Drive: 8 plays, 72 yards, 4:21. Lions 17–10.

Fourth quarter

• CHI - Matt Forte 23 yard pass from Jay Cutler. Robbie Gould kick is good. Drive: 6 plays, 83 yards, 2:47. Tied 17–17.
• DET - Eric Ebron 1 yard pass from Matthew Stafford. Matt Prater kick is good. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 4:34. Lions 24–17.
• CHI - Robbie Gould 34 yard field goal. Drive: 7 plays, 37 yards, 3:07. Lions 24–20.

|stats=

Top passers

• DET – Matthew Stafford - 28/39, 298 yards, 3 TDs
• CHI – Jay Cutler - 17/23, 245 yards, 2 TDs, 3 INTs

Top rushers

• DET – Ameer Abdullah - 10 carries, 44 yards
• CHI – Matt Forte - 17 carries, 76 yards

Top receivers

• DET – Calvin Johnson - 10 receptions, 137 yards
• CHI – Marc Mariani - 6 receptions, 80 yards

}}

The Lions completed a season sweep of their division rival Chicago Bears with a 24–20 win. The loss sunk the Bears to last place in the NFC North, with the Lions finishing third. Matthew Stafford completed 28 of 39 passes, giving him a season completion percentage of 67.2, the best for a quarterback in franchise history. Theo Riddick caught 4 passes for 29 yards, giving him season totals of 80 receptions and 697 yards, both franchise records for a running back. The Lions finished the season with three players catching 80 passes or more – Golden Tate (90), Calvin Johnson (88) and Riddick (80) – a first for any Lions team. Matt Prater kicked a 59-yard field goal in the game, the longest in Lions franchise history and the longest ever kicked at Soldier Field.{{cite web |url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/gametracker/recap/NFL_20160103_DET@CHI |title=Stafford, Johnson lead Lions over Bears 24-20 |publisher=CBSsports.com |date=January 3, 2016 |access-date=January 4, 2016}}

{{2015 NFC North standings|team=DET}}

{{2015 NFC standings|team=DET}}

{{NFL final staff

|Year=2015

|TeamName=Detroit Lions

|Front Office=

• Owner/chairman – Martha Firestone Ford
• Vice chairman – William Clay Ford, Jr.
• President – Rod Wood
• COO - Allison Maki
• General manager – Sheldon White (interim)
• Senior personnel executive – Brian Xanders
• Senior personnel executive – Scott McEwen
• Senior vice president of football operations – Cedric Saunders
• Director of college scouting – Lance Newmark
• Assistant director of pro personnel – Rob Lohman

|Head Coaches=

• Head coach – Jim Caldwell
• Assistant head coach/tight ends/ interim offensive line – Ron Prince

|Offensive Coaches=

• Offensive coordinator – Joe Lombardi (fired Oct 26, 2015)
• Quarterbacks/interim offensive coordinator – Jim Bob Cooter
• Running backs – Curtis Modkins
• Wide receivers – Robert Prince
• Interim tight ends – Devin Fitzsimmons
• Offensive line – Jeremiah Washburn (fired Oct 26, 2015)
• Assistant offensive line – Ryan Silverfield
• Offensive assistant/research & analysis – Evan Rothstein

|Defensive Coaches=

• Defensive coordinator – Teryl Austin
• Defensive line – Kris Kocurek
• Assistant defensive line – Jim Washburn
• Linebackers – Bill Sheridan
• Safeties – Alan Williams
• Cornerbacks – Tony Oden
• Senior coaching assistant – Gunther Cunningham
• Defensive quality control – Matt Raich

|Special Teams Coaches=

• Special teams coordinator – Joe Marciano

|Strength and Conditioning=

• coordinator of physical development – Jason Arapoff
• Assistant strength and conditioning – Ted Rath

}}

{{reflist|30em}}

• {{official website|http://www.detroitlions.com}}

{{Detroit Lions}}

{{Detroit Lions seasons}}

{{2015 NFL season by team}}

Detroit

Category:Detroit Lions seasons

Detroit Lions