The 2007 Detroit Lions season was the 78th season for the team in the National Football League (NFL). After achieving a 6–2 record at the halfway mark, the Lions lost seven of their last eight games. They finished with a 7–9 record for their seventh consecutive losing season. After the 6–2 start, the Lions would go 5–47 in their next 52 games, including a 19-game losing streak between Week 17 of 2007 and Week 2 of 2009, which resulted in the first-ever winless 16-game season in 2008. The Lions improved upon their 3–13 record in 2006 but failed to make the playoffs once again, extending their postseason drought to eight years. The 7–9 record was nonetheless the best record the Lions had in any season under general manager Matt Millen.
The 422 pass completions that Detroit surrendered in 2007 is an NFL record.Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1978 to 2011, in the regular season, sorted by descending opp Passes Completed as of end of 2011 season The 70.1% completion percentage against the Lions defense was the worst in league history until it was broken by the Indianapolis Colts in 2011.Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1978 to 2011, in the regular season, sorted by descending opposition Pass Completion %
After beating the Chicago Bears, 16–7, at Soldier Field on October 28, the Lions would lose an NFL-record 26 road games in a row, and go 0–8 on the road in each of the following two seasons.
Draft RoundPickPlayerPositionTeam 12Calvin JohnsonWide ReceiverGeorgia Tech243Drew StantonQuarterbackMichigan State258Ikaika Alama-FrancisDefensive EndHawaii261Gerald AlexanderSafetyBoise State4105A.J. DavisCornerbackNorth Carolina State4117Manuel RamirezGuardTexas Tech5158Johnny BaldwinLinebackerAlabama A&M7255Ramzee RobinsonCornerbackAlabama
Staff Detroit Lions 2007 coaching staff Front office Owner/Chairman – William Clay Ford Vice chairman – William Clay Ford Jr. President/CEO – Matt Millen Executive Vice President/COO – Tom Lewand Director of pro personnel – Sheldon White
Head coaches Head coach – Rod Marinelli
Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator – Mike Martz Quarterbacks – Adam Gase Running backs – Wilbert Montgomery Wide receivers – Kippy Brown Tight ends – Pat Carter Offensive line – Jim Colletto Assistant offensive line – Mike Barry Offensive assistant – Shawn Jefferson Offensive assistant – Tim Martz Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Joe Barry Defensive line – Joe Cullen Linebackers – Phil Snow Defensive backs – Clayton Lopez Defensive assistant – Fred Reed Defensive quality control – Don Clemons
Special teams coaches Special teams – Stan Kwan Assistant special teams – Sam Gash
Strength and conditioning Coordinator of physical development – Jason Arapoff Strength and conditioning – Malcolm Blacken
Roster Detroit Lions 2007 final roster Quarterbacks Jon Kitna J. T. O'Sullivan Dan Orlovsky
Running backs Tatum Bell Jon Bradley FB Aveion Cason KR T. J. Duckett Kevin Jones
Wide receivers Mike Furrey PR Calvin Johnson Shaun McDonald Brandon Middleton KR Troy Walters
Tight ends Casey FitzSimmons Sean McHugh John Owens Offensive linemen Jeff Backus T George Foster T Edwin Mulitalo G Stephen Peterman G Dominic Raiola C Manny Ramirez G Blaine Saipaia C/G Barry Stokes G/T Damien Woody G/T
Defensive linemen Ikaika Alama-Francis DE Shaun Cody DT Jared DeVries DE Kalimba Edwards DE Langston Moore DT Cory Redding DT Shaun Rogers DT Corey Smith DE Dewayne White DE Linebackers Boss Bailey OLB Anthony Cannon OLB Buster Davis MLB Teddy Lehman OLB Paris Lenon MLB Alex Lewis OLB Ernie Sims OLB
Defensive backs Gerald Alexander FS Greg Blue SS Patrick Body CB/S Fernando Bryant CB Dovonte Edwards CB Travis Fisher CB Kenoy Kennedy SS Ramzee Robinson CB Keith Smith CB
Special teams Jason Hanson K Nick Harris P Don Muhlbach LS Reserve lists Idrees Bashir S (IR) Daniel Bullocks S (IR) Brian Calhoun RB (IR) Dan Campbell TE (IR) Frank Davis G (IR) John Deraney P (IR) Devale Ellis WR (IR) LaMarcus Hicks S (IR) Jonathan Scott T (IR) Drew Stanton QB (IR) Roy Williams WR (IR) Stanley Wilson Jr. CB (IR)
Practice squad Reggie Ball WR Ronald Bellamy WR Jon Dunn T Claude Harriott DE Clark Harris LS Ben Noll G Israel Route CB
rookies in italics 53 active, 12 inactive, 7 practice squad
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.comrecap 1 September 9 at Oakland Raiders W 36–211–0 Oakland–Alameda County ColiseumRecap 2 September 16 Minnesota Vikings W 20–17 2–0 Ford FieldRecap 3 September 23 at Philadelphia Eagles L 21–562–1 Lincoln Financial FieldRecap 4 September 30 Chicago Bears W 37–273–1 Ford FieldRecap 5 October 7 at Washington Redskins L 3–343–2 FedExFieldRecap 6Bye 7 October 21 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 23–164–2 Ford FieldRecap 8 October 28 at Chicago Bears W 16–75–2Soldier FieldRecap 9 November 4 Denver Broncos W 44–76–2 Ford FieldRecap 10 November 11 at Arizona Cardinals L 21–316–3 University of Phoenix Stadium Recap 11 November 18 New York Giants L 10–166–4 Ford FieldRecap 12 Green Bay Packers L 26–376–5 Ford FieldRecap 13 December 2 at Minnesota Vikings L 10–426–6 Hubert H. Humphrey MetrodomeRecap 14 December 9 Dallas Cowboys L 27–286–7Ford FieldRecap 15 December 16 at San Diego Chargers L 14–516–8 Qualcomm Stadium Recap 16 December 23 Kansas City Chiefs W 25–207–8 Ford FieldRecap 17 December 30 at Green Bay Packers L 13–347–9 Lambeau FieldRecap
Standings
Regular season
Week 1: at Oakland Raiders
at McAfee Coliseum, Oakland, California
The Lions began their 2007 campaign on the road in an interconference game against the Oakland Raiders. After a scoreless first quarter, Detroit got off to a fast start in the second quarter. QB Jon Kitna completed a 13-yard TD pass to WR Roy Williams and kicker Jason Hanson connected on a 46-yard field goal. In the third quarter, the Lions increased its lead with Kitna completing a 16-yard TD pass to rookie WR Calvin Johnson. The Raiders, however, started to catch up with QB Josh McCown completing a 4-yard TD pass to WR Ronald Curry along with RB LaMont Jordan getting a 12-yard TD run. In a wild fourth quarter, Hanson gave Detroit a 46-yard field goal, yet the Raiders took the lead with McCown's 7-yard TD pass to FB Justin Griffith. The Lions hung on to take the lead with Kitna's 32-yard TD pass to WR/PR Shaun McDonald, Hanson kicking a 23-yard field goal, and wrapping it up with RB Tatum Bell getting a 14-yard TD run.
With the win, Detroit began its season at 1–0.
Week 2: vs. Minnesota Vikings
at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
Following their road win over the Raiders, the Lions played their Week 2 home opener against their NFC North rival Minnesota Vikings for the lead in the division. After a scoreless first quarter, Detroit pounced first with QB Jon Kitna completing a 9-yard TD pass to WR Roy Williams. The Vikings tied the game with QB Tarvaris Jackson getting a 1-yard TD run. The Lions took the lead prior to halftime with kicker Jason Hanson's 30-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, when Kitna was temporarily out with a concussion, QB J. T. O'Sullivan came in and completed a 7-yard TD pass to Calvin Johnson to increase Detroit's lead. Minnesota, however, tied the game up with kicker Ryan Longwell getting a 32-yard field goal and DE Ray Edwards returning a fumble 9 yards for a touchdown. After both teams failed to score in the fourth quarter, the Vikings got the ball to begin overtime. The Lions forced a fumble nine plays into their drive and eventually got the win with Hanson's 37-yard field goal.
With the win, Detroit improved its record to 2–0.
Week 3: at Philadelphia Eagles
at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Following their impressive divisional home win over the Vikings, the Lions flew to Lincoln Financial Field for an intraconference fight with the throwback-clad Philadelphia Eagles.
In the first quarter, Detroit trailed early as Eagles RB Brian Westbrook ran 25 yards for a TD. The Lions tied the game on a Kevin Jones 2-yard TD run, but Philadelphia regained the lead with a Westbrook 5 yard TD run, along with QB Donovan McNabb's 68-yard TD pass to WR Kevin Curtis. In the second quarter, the points bonanza continued as McNabb and Curtis hooked up with each other again on a 12-yard TD pass and a 43-yard TD pass to increase the Eagles' lead. Detroit responded with QB Jon Kitna completing TD passes of 11 yards to WR Shaun McDonald and 91 yards to WR Roy Williams. Philadelphia capped the half with McNabb completing a 43-yard TD pass to Westbrook.
In the second half, the Eagles took control as RB Correll Buckhalter ran 1 yard for a TD run in the third quarter and RB Tony Hunt ran for a 1-yard TD in the fourth quarter.
With the loss, the Lions fell to 2–1.
Week 4: vs. Chicago Bears
at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
Trying to rebound from their road loss to the Eagles, the Lions went home for an NFC North duel with the defending NFC champion Chicago Bears. In the first quarter, Detroit drew first blood with kicker Jason Hanson nailing a 49-yard field goal for the only score of the period. However, in the second quarter, the Bears took the lead with QB Brian Griese (Rex Grossman was benched prior to the game) completing a 15-yard TD pass to WR Muhsin Muhammad for the only score of the period. In the third quarter, Chicago increased its lead with kicker Robbie Gould getting a 49-yard and a 41-yard field goal.
Afterwards, a high-flying fourth quarter began with QB Jon Kitna completing a 4-yard TD pass to WR Shaun McDonald, along with DB Keith Smith returning an interception 64 yards for a touchdown, giving the Lions the lead. However, the Bears regained the lead with WR/KR/PR Devin Hester returning a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown. Detroit retook the lead with Kitna completing a 15-yard TD pass to WR Troy Edwards, along with RB Kevin Jones getting a 5-yard TD pass. Chicago came close with Griese completing a 1-yard TD pass to WR Bernard Berrian. Afterwards, the Lions sealed their impressive victory with TE Casey Fitzsimmons returning an onside kick 41 yards for a touchdown.
The Lions’ 34 points was the most fourth quarter points in NFL history. There was a combined total of 48 points in the fourth quarter, also an NFL record.
With their wild win, the Lions improved to 3–1.
Week 5: at Washington Redskins
at FedExField, Landover, Maryland
Coming off of their surprising home win over the Bears, the Lions flew to FedExField for a Week 5 intraconference duel with the Washington Redskins. Heading into the game, Detroit had never won a game against the Redskins in Washington, D.C. (0–20)
After a scoreless first quarter, the Lions trailed as in the second quarter when Redskins QB Jason Campbell completed a 7-yard TD pass to TE Chris Cooley, followed by FB Mike Sellers getting a 1-yard TD run. In the third quarter, Detroit managed to get on the board with kicker Jason Hanson getting a 39-yard field goal. However, Washington came right back with DE Andre Carter sacking Lions QB Jon Kitna in the endzone for a safety. In the fourth quarter, the Redskins sealed Detroit's fate with Campbell completing an 8-yard TD pass to Sellers, kicker Shaun Suisham nailing a 28-yard field goal, and CB Carlos Rogers returning an interception 61 yards for a touchdown.
With the loss, not only did the Lions fall to 3–2 heading into their bye week, but lessened their record to 0–21 against the Redskins in Washington, D.C.
Week 7: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan