2015 Detroit Lions season explained

Team:	Detroit Lions
Year:	2015
Record:	7–9
Division Place:	3rd NFC North
Coach:	Jim Caldwell
Owner:	Martha Firestone Ford
General Manager:	Martin Mayhew (fired Nov. 5) Sheldon White (interim)
Stadium:	Ford Field
Playoffs:	Did not qualify
Pro Bowlers:	Ezekiel Ansah, DE Calvin Johnson, WR
Shortnavlink:	Lions seasons

The Detroit Lions season was the franchise's 86th season in the National Football League (NFL), their 82nd as the Detroit Lions and the second under Head Coach Jim Caldwell. By Week 7 of the season, the Lions had already lost six games, more than they did in the entire 2014 season. This led to the firing of Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and two other coaches. After falling to 1–7 the following week, the team fired President Tom Lewand and general manager Martin Mayhew.^[1] On November 19, the Lions named Rod Wood as team President.^[2] The Lions were eliminated from playoff contention after their loss to St. Louis in week 14. The team had a 6–2 record in the second half of the season to finish at 7–9, good for third place in the NFC North. One highlight of the season was the Lions beating the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field for the first time since 1991.

Offseason

Re-signings

Date	Player	Position	Contract	Source
February 27	Don Muhlbach	Long snapper	1 year / $1.05 million	^[3]
March 2	Dan Orlovsky	Quarterback	1 year / $1.05 million	^[4]
	Darryl Tapp	Defensive end	1 year / $950,000	^[5]
March 6	Matt Prater	Placekicker	3 years / $9 million	^[6]
	Kellen Moore	Quarterback	2 years / $1.825 million	^[7]
March 10	Josh Bynes	Linebacker	2 years / $1.81 million	^[8]
March 11	Isa Abdul-Quddus	Safety	1 year / $1.5 million	^[9]
March 19	Rashean Mathis	Cornerback	2 years / $3.5 million	^[10]
April 20	Jeremy Ross	Return specialist	1 year / $585,000	^[11]
August 5	DeAndre Levy	Linebacker	4 years / $33.72 million	^[12]

Arrivals

Date	Player	Position	Previous team	Contract	Source
February 27	Phillip Hunt	Defensive end	Indianapolis Colts	1 year / $585,000	^[13]
March 12	Tyrunn Walker	Defensive end	New Orleans Saints	1 year / $1.75 million	^[14]
April 3	Josh Wilson	Cornerback	Atlanta Falcons	1 year / $950,000	^[15]
April 7	Brandon Copeland	Linebacker	Tennessee Titans	1 year / $460,000	^[16]
May 2	Al Bond	Guard	Memphis		^[17]
	Anthony Boone	Quarterback	Duke
	Kyle Brindza	Placekicker	Notre Dame
	Isaiah Johnson	Safety	Georgia Tech
	Vernon Johnson	Wide receiver	Texas A&M
	Desmond Lawrence	Wide receiver	North Carolina A&T
	Casey Pierce	Tight end	Kent State
	Kevin Snyder	Linebacker	Rutgers
	Brian Suite	Safety	Utah State
	Rasheed Williams	Running back	Alfred State
	Torrian Wilson	Offensive lineman	Central Florida
	Zach Zenner	Running back	South Dakota State
May 8	Alex Carter	Cornerback	Stanford	4 years / $3.058 million	^[18]
	Gabe Wright	Defensive tackle	Auburn	4 years / $2.801 million
	Michael Burton	Fullback	Rutgers	4 years / $2.46 million
	Quandre Diggs	Cornerback	Texas	4 years / $2.395 million
	Corey Robinson	Offensive tackle	South Carolina	4 years / $2.338 million
May 11	Jarred Haggins	Wide receiver	Florida State	3 years / $1.575 million	^[19]
	Nathan Lindsey	Safety	Fort Hays State	1 year / –
	Erik Lora	Wide receiver	Eastern Illinois	1 year / –
May 12	Desmond Martin	Running back	Wayne State	3 years / $1.575 million	^[20]
	Lance Moore	Wide receiver	Pittsburgh Steelers	1 year / $1.05 million	^[21]
May 13	Greg Salas	Wide receiver	New York Jets	1 year / $745,000	^[22]
	Chris Owens	Cornerback	Kansas City Chiefs	1 year / –
	Ameer Abdullah	Running back	Nebraska	4 years / $4.156 million	^[23]
June 10	David Ausberry	Tight end	Oakland Raiders	1 year / $660,000	^[24]
June 11	Laken Tomlinson	Guard	Duke	4 years / $8.55 million	^[25]
June 15	Garrett Gilbert	Quarterback	New England Patriots	1 year / –	^[26]
June 22	Taylor Mays	Safety	Minnesota Vikings	1 year / $745,000	^[27]
July 28	R. J. Stanford	Cornerback	Miami Dolphins	1 year / –	^[28]
August 4	Ethan Davis	Cornerback	Troy	1 year / –	^[29]

Departures

Date	Player	Position	Note	New Team	Source
February 25	Reggie Bush	Running back	Released	San Francisco 49ers	^[30]
March 11	Ndamukong Suh	Defensive tackle	UFA	Miami Dolphins	^[31]
March 12	Jed Collins	Fullback	UFA	Dallas Cowboys	^[32]
March 13	Nick Fairley	Defensive tackle	UFA	St. Louis Rams	^[33]
April 21	Rodney Austin	Guard	Released		^[34]
May 11	Desmond Lawrence	Wide receiver	Released		^[35]
May 12	Rasheed Williams	Running back	Released		^[36]
May 13	Skye Dawson	Wide receiver	Released	Edmonton Eskimos (CFL)	^[37]
June 3	Erik Lora	Wide receiver	Released		^[38]
June 10	Nathan Lindsey	Defensive back	Released
June 12	Anthony Boone	Quarterback	Released	Montreal Alouettes (CFL)	^[39]
June 17	Rasheed Williams	Running back	Released		^[40]
August 4	Jerrell Harris	Linebacker	Released		^[41]
August 8	Ethan Davis	Cornerback	Waived		^[42]

Trades

• 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.^[43]
• 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.^[44]
• On August 3, the Lions traded Mohammed Seisay to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2016 NFL draft.^[45]

Draft

See main article: 2015 NFL draft.

2015 Detroit Lions Draft

Round	Selection	Player	Position	College
	28			Duke
2	54			Nebraska
3	80			Stanford
4	113			Auburn
5	168			Rutgers
6	200			Texas
7	240			South Carolina

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).^[43]
• 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).^[44]
• 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.^[46]
• 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).^[47]
• 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).^[48]

Schedule

Preseason

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Recap
1		New York Jets	W 23–3	1–0	Ford Field	Recap
2		at Washington Redskins	L 17–21	1–1	FedExField	Recap
3		at Jacksonville Jaguars	W 22–17	2–1	EverBank Field	Recap
4		Buffalo Bills	W 17–10	3–1	Ford Field	Recap

Regular season

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Recap
1	September 13	at San Diego Chargers	L 28–33	0–1	Qualcomm Stadium	Recap
2	September 20	at Minnesota Vikings	L 16–26	0–2	TCF Bank Stadium	Recap
3	September 27	Denver Broncos	L 12–24	0–3	Ford Field	Recap
4		at Seattle Seahawks	L 10–13	0–4	CenturyLink Field	Recap
5	October 11	Arizona Cardinals	L 17–42	0–5	Ford Field	Recap
6	October 18	Chicago Bears	W 37–34	1–5	Ford Field	Recap
7	October 25	Minnesota Vikings	L 19–28	1–6	Ford Field	Recap
8	November 1	at Kansas City Chiefs	L 10–45	1–7		Recap
9	Bye
10	November 15	at Green Bay Packers	W 18–16	2–7	Lambeau Field	Recap
11	November 22	Oakland Raiders	W 18–13	3–7	Ford Field	Recap
12	November 26	Philadelphia Eagles	W 45–14	4–7	Ford Field	Recap
13		Green Bay Packers	L 23–27	4–8	Ford Field	Recap
14	December 13	at St. Louis Rams	L 14–21	4–9	Edward Jones Dome	Recap
15		at New Orleans Saints	W 35–27	5–9	Mercedes-Benz Superdome	Recap
16	December 27	San Francisco 49ers	W 32–17	6–9	Ford Field	Recap
17	January 3	at Chicago Bears	W 24–20	7–9	Soldier Field	Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: at San Diego Chargers

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.

Week 2: at Minnesota Vikings

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.)

Week 3: vs. Denver Broncos

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.

Week 4: at Seattle Seahawks

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.^[49]

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.

Week 5: vs. Arizona Cardinals

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).

Week 6: vs. Chicago Bears

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.

Week 7: vs. Minnesota Vikings

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.^[50]

Week 8: at Kansas City Chiefs

See also: NFL International Series. 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.^[1]

Week 10: at Green Bay Packers

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.^[51] 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.^[52]

Week 11: vs. Oakland Raiders

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.^[53]

Week 12: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Thanksgiving Day gameCelebrating 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.

Week 13: vs. Green Bay Packers

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".

Week 14: at St. Louis Rams

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.

Week 15: at New Orleans Saints

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).^[54] It was the team's first road win over the Saints since 2005.

Week 16: vs. San Francisco 49ers

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.^[55]

Week 17: at Chicago Bears

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.^[56]

Standings

Conference

Notes and References

1. Web site: Lions announce organizational changes . Detroit Lions . Tim . Twentyman . November 5, 2015 . November 5, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170818093449/http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Lions-announce-organizational-changes/acd16811-e1bb-48b4-9997-f9f00486d61b . August 18, 2017 . dead . mdy-all .
2. News: Martha Firestone Ford names Rod Wood team president . Detroit Lions . November 19, 2015 . November 19, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151120175704/http://www.detroitlions.com/news/article-1/Martha-Firestone-Ford-names-Rod-Wood-team-president/90fe23b4-ac0d-4ef1-adc1-0ad5ee18167e . November 20, 2015 . dead . mdy-all .
3. Web site: Lions sign Don Muhlbach to one-year deal . Detroit Lions . Tim . Twentyman . February 27, 2015 . February 27, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150228020103/http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Lions-sign-Don-Muhlbach-to-one-year-deal/414e33cd-84e4-4346-ba92-fef2850a1570 . February 28, 2015 . dead .
4. Web site: Lions re-sign quarterback Dan Orlovsky . Detroit Lions . Tim . Twentyman . March 2, 2015 . March 2, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150304035206/http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Lions-re-sign-quarterback-Dan-Orlovsky/84c01eb7-f1b3-47a4-a3ea-881a93cdf0ff . March 4, 2015 . dead .
5. Web site: Lions re-sign defensive end Darryl Tapp . Detroit Lions . Tim . Twentyman . March 2, 2015 . March 2, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150304035201/http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Lions-re-sign-defensive-end-Darryl-Tapp/d0e1a4c5-487d-4d75-b833-0943a9631431 . March 4, 2015 . dead .
6. Web site: Lions sign kicker Matt Prater to three-year deal . Detroit Lions . Tim . Twentyman . March 6, 2015 . March 6, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150308123306/http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Lions-sign-kicker-Matt-Prater-to-three-year-deal/3725611a-ef65-40fb-b060-96c9ba3cd4b1 . March 8, 2015 . dead .
7. Web site: Lions sign QB Kellen Moore to two-year deal . Detroit Lions . Tim . Twentyman . March 6, 2015 . March 6, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150308123128/http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Lions-sign-QB-Kellen-Moore-to-two-year-deal/38e012fc-6468-43a2-9fff-10e7f4c934e0 . March 8, 2015 . dead .
8. Web site: Lions re-sign linebacker Josh Bynes . Detroit Lions . Tim . Twentyman . March 10, 2015 . March 10, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150312100343/http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Lions-re-sign-linebacker-Josh-Bynes/31b211c0-2781-4f19-9ff5-354cdda7848a . March 12, 2015 . dead .
9. Web site: Lions re-sign safety Isa-Abdul Quddus . Detroit Lions . Tim . Twentyman . March 11, 2015 . March 11, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150312100227/http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Lions-re-sign-safety-Isa-Abdul-Quddus/d9b34bc8-74f9-4209-bee9-ef11f14ce03e . March 12, 2015 . dead . mdy-all .
10. Web site: Lions re-sign cornerback Rashean Mathis . Detroit Lions . Tim . Twentyman . March 18, 2015 . March 18, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150321003022/http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/REPORT-Lions-re-sign-cornerback-Rashean-Mathis/98c87e88-60ca-433f-839f-f540ff2a032a . March 21, 2015 . dead .
11. Web site: Lions WR Jeremy Ross, six other ERFAs re-sign on Monday . NBC Sports. Mike . Wilkening . April 20, 2015 . April 20, 2015.
12. Web site: Lions, DeAndre Levy agree to 4-year $33.7M extension. NFL.com . Marc . Sessler . August 5, 2015 . August 5, 2015.
13. Web site: Lions sign pass rusher Phillip Hunt . Detroit Lions . Tim . Twentyman . February 27, 2015 . February 27, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150227211710/http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Lions-sign-pass-rusher-Phillip-Hunt/3b57a031-ee9a-4e35-8a4e-b0c07231f4c6 . February 27, 2015 . dead .
14. Web site: Lions sign defensive tackle Tyrunn Walker . Detroit Lions . Tim . Twentyman . March 12, 2015 . March 12, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150314064700/http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Lions-sign-defensive-tackle-Tyrunn-Walker/fdcd7319-e439-426b-a514-0065d6eb8280 . March 14, 2015 . dead . mdy-all .
15. Web site: Lions sign cornerback Josh Wilson . Detroit Lions . Tim . Twentyman . April 3, 2015 . April 3, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150408164423/http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Lions-sign-cornerback-Josh-Wilson/e3b95c27-5d38-4a49-b82d-813a95ae7bfc . April 8, 2015 . dead .
16. Web site: Lions sign linebacker Brandon Copeland . Detroit Lions . Tim . Twentyman . April 7, 2015 . April 7, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150410183511/http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Lions-sign-linebacker-Brandon-Copeland/fa1b1467-d70b-45bf-aa97-5492b9b41398 . April 10, 2015 . dead .
17. Web site: Lions sign 12 undrafted free agents . Detroit Lions . Tim . Twentyman . May 7, 2015 . May 7, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150509160443/http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Lions-sign-12-undrafted-free-agents/46d1b6cb-6206-4764-b72e-0eed436d3929 . May 9, 2015 . dead .
18. Web site: Five draft picks sign rookie contracts . Detroit Lions . Tim . Twentyman . Mike . O'Hara . May 7, 2015 . May 7, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150509160714/http://www.detroitlions.com/news/article-1/Five-draft-picks-sign-rookie-contracts/c8e840b7-e641-43d8-a160-7eacca806818 . May 9, 2015 . dead .
19. Web site: Lions sign three tryout players . Detroit Lions . Tim . Twentyman . May 11, 2015 . May 11, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150513211840/http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Lions-sign-three-tryout-players/23f1b07c-f17f-4d84-813a-c5faaef4a5c2 . May 13, 2015 . dead .
20. Web site: Lions sign tryout RB Desmond Martin . Detroit Lions . Tim . Twentyman . May 12, 2015 . May 12, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150514093102/http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Lions-sign-tryout-RB-Desmond-Martin/0a3b155d-f4b3-433c-a388-c806ed915fc4 . May 14, 2015 . dead .
21. Web site: Lions sign veteran WR Lance Moore . Detroit Lions . Tim . Twentyman . May 12, 2015 . May 12, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150514013551/http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/TWENTYMAN-Lions-sign-veteran-WR-Lance-Moore/f2748027-31db-4708-ac91-782a0cc1cfc3 . May 14, 2015 . dead .
22. Web site: Lions sign two veteran players . Detroit Lions . Tim . Twentyman . May 13, 2015 . May 13, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150514093100/http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Lions-sign-two-veteran-players/2fa7bea4-0cfa-400e-8e20-3854addd8c53 . May 14, 2015 . dead .
23. Web site: Lions sign second-round pick Ameer Abdullah . Detroit Lions . Tim . Twentyman . May 13, 2015 . May 13, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150514173749/http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Lions-sign-second-round-pick-Ameer-Abdullah/f0980b6b-6491-4e6d-9b40-07f42c50c7a9 . May 14, 2015 . dead .
24. Web site: Lions sign David Ausberry, release Nathan Lindsey . prideofdetroit.com. Sean . Yuille . June 10, 2015 . June 10, 2015.
25. Web site: Laken Tomlinson signs rookie deal . Detroit Lions . Tim . Twentyman . June 11, 2015 . June 11, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150613234059/http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Laken-Tomlinson-signs-rookie-deal/e7eb1194-17b1-4232-839e-1806563b0859 . June 13, 2015 . dead .
26. Web site: Detroit Lions claim QB Garrett Gilbert from Patriots, release Anthony Boone . MLive.com . Kyle . Meinke . June 12, 2015 . June 12, 2015.
27. Web site: Lions sign Taylor Mays . Detroit Lions . Tim . Twentyman . June 22, 2015 . June 22, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150923223221/http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/TWENTYMAN-Lions-sign-Taylor-Mays/30bf352f-e6a0-4ed7-8cc7-c8dd62a7a32f . September 23, 2015 . dead .
28. Web site: Lions sign cornerback R.J. Stanford . Detroit Lions . Tim . Twentyman . July 28, 2015 . July 28, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150730220934/http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Lions-sign-cornerback-RJ-Stanford/53083b21-1406-4917-bdbe-d2f74f22fffd . July 30, 2015 . dead .
29. Web site: Lions sign Ethan Davis . Detroit Lions . Tim . Twentyman . August 4, 2015 . August 4, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150806051016/http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider-short/article-1/TWENTYMAN-Lions-sign-Ethan-Davis/1564d5dd-1729-4e9f-960f-1d7c2bab0fac . August 6, 2015 . dead .
30. Web site: Lions release Reggie Bush . Detroit Lions . Tim . Twentyman . February 25, 2015 . February 25, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150226194115/http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/TWENTYMAN-Lions-release-Reggie-Bush/26cb5a13-9311-44ac-ade1-ae5e2e8d1b8d . February 26, 2015 . dead .
31. Web site: Ndamukong Suh, Miami Dolphins strike mega deal . . Kevin . Patra . March 11, 2015 . March 11, 2015.
32. Web site: FB Jed Collins signs with Cowboys . Detroit Lions . Mike . O'Hara . March 12, 2015 . March 12, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150314224931/http://www.detroitlions.com/news/ohara/article-1/FB-Jed-Collins-signs-with-Cowboys/737e9f1e-6eba-460c-b50e-7a73f790dcb1 . March 14, 2015 . dead .
33. Web site: Nick Fairley leaves Detroit Lions for St. Louis Rams . Chris . Wesseling . National Football League . March 13, 2015 . March 13, 2015.
34. Web site: Lions release guard Rodney Austin following arrest . Tim . Twentyman . Detroit Lions . April 21, 2015 . April 21, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150425001505/http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider/article-1/Lions-release-guard-Rodney-Austin-following-arrest/a68007fc-5476-4fb6-a0f0-e1ab836d0002 . April 25, 2015 . dead .
35. Web site: Lions release WR Desmond Lawrence . Sean . Yuille . prideofdetroit.com. May 11, 2015 . May 11, 2015.
36. Web site: Lions release another undrafted free agent . Sean . Yuille . prideofdetroit.com. May 12, 2015 . May 12, 2015.
37. Web site: Detroit Lions free up a roster spot, release WR Skye Dawson . Justin . Rogers . MLive.com. May 13, 2015 . May 13, 2015.
38. Web site: Lions release WR Erik Lora . Sean . Yuille . prideofdetroit.com. June 3, 2015 . June 3, 2015.
39. Web site: Lions swap out quarterbacks . Sean . Yuille . prideofdetroit.com. June 12, 2015 . June 12, 2015.
40. Web site: Lions release RB Rasheed Williams (again) . Sean . Yuille . prideofdetroit.com. June 17, 2015 . June 17, 2015.
41. Web site: Lions claim Jerel Worthy off waivers, release Jerrell Harris . Sean . Yuille . prideofdetroit.com. August 4, 2015 . August 4, 2015.
42. Web site: Detroit Lions have open roster spot after waiving Ethan Davis . Kyle . Meinke . MLive.com. August 8, 2015 . August 8, 2015.
43. Web site: Lions acquire Haloti Ngata in trade with Ravens . National Football League . Chris . Wesseling . March 10, 2015 . March 10, 2015.
44. Web site: Lions trade George Johnson to Buccaneers . National Football League . Kevin . Patra . April 15, 2015 . April 15, 2015.
45. Web site: Lions trade Mohammed Seisay to Seattle . Tim . Twentyman . Detroit Lions . August 2, 2015 . August 2, 2015 . 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 . August 3, 2015 . dead .
46. Web site: Detroit Lions trade back, draft guard Laken Tomlinson . Tim . Twentyman . Detroit Lions . April 30, 2015 . April 30, 2015 . 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 . May 2, 2015 . dead .
47. Web site: Detroit Lions trade up, draft cornerback Alex Carter . Tim . Twentyman . Detroit Lions . May 1, 2015 . May 1, 2015 . 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 . May 4, 2015 . dead .
48. Web site: Detroit Lions trade up, draft defensive tackle Gabe Wright . Tim . Twentyman . Detroit Lions . May 2, 2015 . May 2, 2015 . 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 . March 21, 2016 . dead . mdy-all .
49. Web site: Chancellor's big play allows Seattle to beat Detroit 13-10 . Tim . Booth . October 6, 2015 . October 21, 2015.
50. Web site: Lions reorganize offensive staff . Detroit Lions . Tim . Twentyman . October 26, 2015 . October 26, 2015 . 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 . October 28, 2015 . dead .
51. Web site: Dan. Hanzus. Lions stun Packers, break long losing skid in Green Bay. NFL.com. November 15, 2015. November 15, 2015.
52. Web site: Ameer Abdullah ties NFL record with 104-yard kickoff return vs. Packers . . Michael . Rothstein . November 15, 2015 . November 15, 2015 .
53. Web site: Stafford's go-ahead TD run helps Lions beat Raiders . ESPN . November 22, 2015 . November 22, 2015.
54. Web site: Chris. Wesseling. Streaking Matthew Stafford leads Lions past Saints. NFL.com. December 23, 2015. December 22, 2015.
55. Web site: Theo Riddick sets Lions franchise record for receiving yards by a RB . FoxSports.com . December 27, 2015 . December 29, 2015.
56. Web site: Stafford, Johnson lead Lions over Bears 24-20 . CBSsports.com . January 3, 2016 . January 4, 2016.