The Lions are debuting updated uniforms with a classic font including a new alternate consisting of blue lettering on black jerseys and matching black pants and black socks and a blue helmet with a black lion graphic.[1]
The Lions opened the regular season at home against the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams opened the scoring in the first quarter via a 41-yard field goal by Joshua Karty. The Lions scored ten points in the second quarter via a 25-yard field goal by Jake Bates and a one-yard touchdown run from Jahmyr Gibbs, which made the score 10–3 in favor of Detroit at half-time. The Lions extended their lead in the third quarter via a 52-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to Jameson Williams. The Rams responded with a two-yard touchdown run from Kyren Williams. The Rams scored ten points in the fourth quarter via a 26-yard field goal by Karty and a nine-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Cooper Kupp, to regain the lead. The Lions responded with a 32-yard field goal by Bates with 17 seconds remaining in the game to force overtime. On the first possession of overtime, the Lions scored via a one-yard touchdown run from David Montgomery, making the final score 26–20 in favor of Detroit.
In week 2, the Lions hosted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tampa Bay scored six points in the first quarter via two field goals by Chase McLaughlin from 30-yards, and 55-yards, respectively. The Lions responded with a 22-yard field goal by Jake Bates. The Lions scored in the second quarter via a 35-yard field goal by Bates to tie the game. The Buccaneers regained the lead via a 41-yard touchdown pass from Baker Mayfield to Chris Godwin, which made the score 13–6 in favor of Tampa Bay at half-time. The Lions scored ten points in the third quarter via a 32-yard field goal by Bates and a one-yard touchdown run from David Montgomery to take their first lead of the game. The Buccaneers responded with an 11-yard touchdown run from Mayfield to regain the lead. After a scoreless fourth quarter, the Lions' attempted comeback failed after turning the ball over on downs after three consecutive incomplete passes by Jared Goff, making the final score 20–16 in favor of Tampa Bay. Aidan Hutchinson recorded 4.5 sacks, the third player in NFL history to record four or more sacks in a game after Willie Gay and Keith Ferguson.[65]
DET – Amon-Ra St. Brown 5-yard pass from Jared Goff (kick failed), 12:27. Lions 13–7. Drive: 13 plays, 70 yards, 7:41.
DET – Jahmyr Gibbs 20-yard pass from Jared Goff (Jake Bates kick), 0:29. Lions 20–7. Drive: 7 plays, 72 yards, 3:54.
ARI – Matt Prater 42-yard field goal, 0:00. Lions 20–10. Drive: 6 plays, 46 yards, 0:29.
Third quarter
No scoring plays.
Fourth quarter
ARI – Matt Prater 45-yard field goal, 3:48. Lions 20–13. Drive: 9 plays, 65 yards, 3:00.
Top passers
DET – Jared Goff – 18/23, 198 yards 2 TD, INT
ARI – Kyler Murray – 21/34, 205 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
DET – David Montgomery – 23 rushes, 106 yards, TD
ARI – Kyler Murray – 5 rushes, 45 yards
Top receivers
DET – Amon-Ra St. Brown – 7 receptions, 74 yards, TD
ARI – Marvin Harrison Jr. – 5 receptions, 64 yards, TD
In week 3, the Lions visited the Arizona Cardinals. The Lions opened the scoring in the first quarter via a one-yard touchdown run form David Montgomery. The Cardinals responded with a ten-yard touchdown pass from Kyler Murray to Marvin Harrison Jr. to tie the game. The Lions scored 13 points in the second quarter via a five-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to Amon-Ra St. Brown and a 20-yard touchdown pass from Goff to Jahmyr Gibbs. The Cardinals scored the final points of the quarter via a 42-yard field goal by Matt Prater as time expired in the first half, which made the score 20–10 in favor of Detroit at half-time. After a scoreless third quarter, the Cardinals scored the only points of the fourth quarter via a 45-yard field goal by Prater, making the final score 20–13 in favor of Detroit.
^When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest-ranked remaining team from each division.