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 improved upon their 3 - 13 record in 2006 but failed to make the playoffs once again , extending their postseason drought to eight years . 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 . Fortunately , 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 , the 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 would eventually get 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 got a 25 - yard TD run . The Lions tied the game as RB Kevin Jones got a 2 - yard TD run , but Philadelphia managed to regain the lead with Westbrook ' s 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 would respond with QB Jon Kitna completing an 11 - yard TD pass to WR Shaun McDonald and a 91 - yard TD pass to WR Roy Williams . Philadelphia , however , capped off the half with McNabb completing a 43 - yard TD pass to Westbrook . In the second half , the Eagles took control as RB Correll Buckhalter got a 1 - yard TD run in the third quarter and RB Tony Hunt got a 1 - yard TD run 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 . Fortunately , 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 would get 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 would be the most 4th 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 , Redskins QB Jason Campbell completed a 7 - yard TD pass to TE Chris Cooley , along with 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 " Coming off their bye week , the Lions were at home and wearing their alternate uniforms for a Week 7 duel with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers . In the first quarter , Detroit attacked first with kicker Jason Hanson getting a 34 - yard field goal , along with RB Kevin Jones getting a 1 - yard TD run . In the second quarter , the Buccaneers got on the board with QB Jeff Garcia completing a 5 - yard TD pass to WR Ike Hilliard . Afterwards , the Lions ended the half with Hanson kicking a 42 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , Detroit increased its lead with Hanson nailing a 32 - yard field goal for the only score of the period . In the fourth quarter , the Lions increased its lead with WR Calvin Johnson getting a 32 - yard TD run . Afterwards , Tampa Bay worked on a comeback as Garcia completed a 4 - yard TD pass to WR Maurice Stovall . Later , the Buccaneers would recover their onside kick and eventually turn it into kicker Matt Bryant ' s 48 - yard field goal . Fortunately , Detroit erased the Buccaneers ' hopes of recovering another onside kick . With the win , the Lions improved to 4 - 2 , and also surpassed their 2006 win total . Week 8 : at Chicago Bears . " at Soldier Field , Chicago , Illinois " Coming off an impressive home win over the Buccaneers , the Lions flew to Soldier Field for Round 2 of their NFC North duel with the Chicago Bears . After a scoreless first quarter , Detroit jumped into the lead with kicker Jason Hanson getting a 26 - yard field goal . Afterwards , the Lions increased its lead with RB Kevin Jones getting a 4 - yard TD run , while Hanson nailed a 52 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , the Bears threatened Detroit ' s lead as QB Brian Griese completed a 20 - yard TD pass to TE Greg Olsen for the only score of the period . Fortuntaely , in the fourth quarter , the Lions held on to win as Hanson got a 20 - yard field goal . Detroit ' s defense was a huge part of this victory , as they intercepted Griese 4 times , including 3 times in the endzone . With their first season - sweep over Chicago since 2004 , the Lions improved to 5 - 2 . Given their winless 2008 season , this became the Lions ' last win on the road until Week 15 of the 2010 season . This also became their most recent win over a division rival until Week 14 of the 2010 season when the Lions beat the Packers . Week 9 : vs . Denver Broncos . " at Ford Field , Detroit , Michigan " Coming off their season - sweeping road win over the Bears , the Lions went home for a Week 9 interconference duel with the Denver Broncos . In the first quarter , Detroit attacked first with kicker Jason Hanson getting a 43 - yard field goal for the first score of the game . In the second quarter , the Lions increased their lead with Hanson kicking a 53 - yard field goal and QB Jon Kitna completing a 15 - yard TD pass to WR Mike Furrey . Detroit ended the half with Hanson kicking a 38 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , the Lions continued their domination as DE Dewayne White returned a fumble 3 yards for a touchdown and Kitna completed a 49 - yard TD pass to WR Shaun McDonald . In the fourth quarter , Detroit sealed Denver ' s doom with NT Shaun Rogers returning an interception 66 yards for a touchdown and RB T . J . Duckett scoring on a 3 yard TD run . The Broncos avoided getting shut out as QB Patrick Ramsey completed a 2 - yard TD pass to WR Brandon Stokley . With the win , the Lions improved to 6 - 2 for the first time since 1999 . The defense continued to shine as they continued to lead the league in takeaways ( 24 ) and points off turnovers ( 90 ) . Week 10 : at Arizona Cardinals . " at University of Phoenix Stadium , Glendale , Arizona " Coming off their blowout home win over the Broncos , the Lions flew to the University of Phoenix Stadium for a Week 10 duel with the Arizona Cardinals . In the first quarter , Detroit struck first with RB Kevin Jones getting a 4 - yard TD run . The Cardinals would respond with kicker Neil Rackers nailing a 23 - yard field goal . In the second quarter , the Lions trailed as Arizona QB Kurt Warner completed a 1 - yard TD pass to WR Larry Fitzgerald , while back - up QB Tim Rattay completed a 2 - yard TD pass to TE Leonard Pope . In the third quarter , the Cardinals increased their lead with Warner completing a 16 - yard TD pass to Pope . Detroit would respond with QB Jon Kitna completing a 7 - yard TD pass to WR Roy Williams . In the fourth quarter , Arizona sealed the win with Warner hooking up with Fitzgerald again on a 20 - yard TD pass . The Lions ' last score for the game would be another 7 - yard TD pass from Kitna to Williams . With the loss , Detroit fell to 6 - 3 . Along with committing 5 out the game ' s 9 turnovers , the Lions ' rushing attack was held to an embarrassing - 18 yards ( the fewest in one game since 1946 ) . Week 11 : vs . New York Giants . " at Ford Field , Detroit , Michigan " Hoping to rebound from their tough road loss to the Cardinals , the Lions went home for a Week 11 intraconference duel with the New York Giants . In the first quarter , Detroit trailed early as Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes managed to get a 28 - yard field goal for the only score of the period . In the second quarter , the Lions continued to trail as QB Eli Manning completed a 10 - yard TD pass to RB Brandon Jacobs for the only score of the period . In the third quarter , Detroit managed to get on the board with kicker Jason Hanson getting a 42 - yard field goal , yet New York responded with Tynes kicking a 46 - yard field goal . In the fourth quarter , the Giants increased their lead with Tynes nailing a 20 - yard field goal . The Lions tried to mount a comeback as QB Jon Kitna completed a 35 - yard TD pass to WR Calvin Johnson . However , New York managed to hold on for the win . With the loss , Detroit fell to 6 - 4 . Week 12 : vs . Green Bay Packers . " at Ford Field , Detroit , Michigan " Trying to snap a two - game skid , the Lions stayed at home for a Week 12 Thanksgiving divisional duel with the Green Bay Packers . In the first quarter , Detroit took the early lead as kicker Jason Hanson managed to get a 47 - yard and a 41 - yard field goal . However , in the second quarter , the Packers took the lead as QB Brett Favre completed an 11 - yard TD pass to WR Greg Jennings , along with RB Ryan Grant getting a 5 - yard TD run . The Lions tried to respond as Hanson kicked a 45 - yard field goal , yet Green Bay answered with kicker Mason Crosby getting a 20 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , the Packers increased their lead with Favre completing a 4 - yard TD pass to Jennings . Detroit continued to try and comeback as Hanson kicked a 52 - yard , yet Green Bay was one step ahead as Favre completed a 3 - yard TD pass to WR Ruvell Martin . In the fourth quarter , the Packers added on to their lead with Crosby kicking a 20 - yard field goal . The Lions tried to mount a comeback as QB Jon Kitna completed a 6 - yard TD pass to rookie WR Calvin Johnson , along with RB Kevin Jones getting a 1 - yard TD run . However , Green Bay sealed the win with Crosby nailing a 26 - yard field goal . With the their third - straight loss ( along with their fourth - straight Thanksgiving loss ) , Detroit fell to 6 - 5 . Week 13 : at Minnesota Vikings . " at Hubert H . Humphrey Metrodome , Minneapolis , Minnesota " Trying to snap a three - game losing skid , the Lions flew to the Hubert H . Humphrey Metrodome for a Week 13 NFC North rematch with the Minnesota Vikings . In the first quarter , Detroit trailed early as Vikings RB Chester Taylor managed to get a 2 - yard TD run . The Lions would get on the board with kicker Jason Hanson nailing a 37 - yard field goal . In the second quarter , Minnesota replied with RB Adrian Peterson . Detroit would respond with QB Jon Kitna completing a 1 - yard TD pass to TE / FB Casey Fitzsimmons . However , the Vikings immediately began its pounding with WR Aundrae Allison returning a kickoff 103 yards for a touchdown , while QB Tarvaris Jackson completed a 6 - yard TD pass to WR Bobby Wade , along with 2 - yard TD pass to WR Sidney Rice . In the third quarter , Minnesota ended its day with Peterson getting a 13 - yard TD run for the only score of the half . With their fourth - straight loss , the Lions fell to 6 - 6 . Week 14 : vs . Dallas Cowboys . " at Ford Field , Detroit , Michigan " Trying to end a four - game skid , the Lions went home for a Week 14 intraconference duel with the Dallas Cowboys . In the first quarter , Detroit struck first with RB T . J . Duckett getting a 32 - yard TD run , while kicker Jason Hanson getting a 19 - yard field goal . In the second quarter , the Cowboys got on the board with RB Marion Barber getting a 20 - yard TD run . The Lions would respond with Hanson nailing a 36 - yard field goal , while RB Kevin Jones getting a 2 - yard TD run . Dallas would end the half with QB Tony Romo completing an 8 - yard TD pass to Barber . In the third quarter , Detroit replied with Jones getting a 3 - yard TD run for the only score of the period . However , in the fourth quarter , the Cowboys came back and won with Barber getting a 1 - yard , along with Romo ' s 16 - yard TD pass to TE Jason Witten . With their fifth - straight loss , the Lions fell to 6 - 7 . Week 15 : at San Diego Chargers . " at Qualcomm Stadium , San Diego , California " Trying to snap a five - game slide , the Lions flew to Qualcomm Stadium for a Week 15 interconference duel with the San Diego Chargers . In the first quarter , Detroit trailed early as Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson managed to get a 6 - yard TD run , kicker Nate Kaeding getting a 22 - yard field goal , and Tomlinson getting a 2 - yard TD run . In the second quarter , the Lions ' struggles continued as Kaeding kicked a 22 - yard field goal and LB Shaun Phillips returning an interception 18 yards for a touchdown . The Lions would get on the board with QB Jon Kitna completing a 9 - yard TD pass to WR Brandon Middleton . San Diego would end the half with QB Philip Rivers completing a 1 - yard TD to TE Brandon Manumaleuna . In the third quarter , the Chargers continued their domination as RB Darren Sproles managed to get a 1 - yard TD run , while Kaeding nailed a 45 - yard field goal . Detroit would reply as Kitna completed a 17 - yard TD pass to WR Shaun McDonald . In the fourth quarter , San Diego sealed the win with Sproles getting an 11 - yard TD run . With their sixth - straight loss , the Lions fell to 6 - 8 . Week 16 : vs . Kansas City Chiefs . " at Ford Field , Detroit , Michigan " Trying to halt a six - game losing streak , the Lions returned home to Ford Field for an interconference matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs . Detroit got on the board early with a T . J . Duckett 11 yard TD run and a safety off a blocked Dustin Colquitt punt . In the second quarter , the Lions opened up a 19 - 0 lead with a Jason Hanson field goal and a Paris Lenon interception return for a touchdown . Kansas City fought back with a Jackie Battle 3 yard run and a 1 - yard pass from Damon Huard to Jared Allen to make it 19 - 14 , but the Lions ' Jason Hanson added two more field goals in the second half and the Chiefs could not convert a two - point conversion to Tony Gonzalez in the 3rd after a Dwayne Bowe receiving TD . Detroit held KC off , 25 - 20 , ending their long skid . With the win , the Lions improved to 7 - 8 , 5 - 3 at home . Given the Lions ' winless 2008 season , this was the Lions last regular - season victory until the third week of the 2009 season . Week 17 : at Green Bay Packers . " at Lambeau Field , Green Bay , Wisconsin " Looking for their first win in the state of Wisconsin since 1991 , the Lions headed to Lambeau Field for their 2nd game of the year against Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers . In the first quarter , after a Jason Hanson FG , Ryan Grant and Koren Robinson both scored touchdowns to make it 14 - 3 Green Bay . In the second quarter , Bubba Franks caught a 4 - yard pass from Brett Favre to make it 21 - 3 , but Shaun McDonald scored on a 30 - yard pass from Jon Kitna to make it 21 - 10 at halftime . The teams exchanged field goals to start the third quarter , but on 4th and 2 , Craig Nall found Ruvell Martin for a 32 - yard score , putting the Packers up 31 - 13 , icing the game . Rookie Mason Crosby added another FG in the fourth to seal up a 34 - 13 win for the Packers . With the loss , Detroit fell to 7 - 9 and were edged out of the playoff race .