2016 Detroit Lions season

2016 Detroit Lions season
OwnerMartha Firestone Ford
General managerBob Quinn
Head coachJim Caldwell
Home fieldFord Field
Local radioDetroit Lions Radio Network
Results
Record9–7
Division place2nd NFC North
Playoff finishLost Wild Card Playoffs
(at Seahawks) 6–26
Pro BowlersMatt Prater, K

The 2016 Detroit Lions season was the franchise's 87th season in the National Football League (NFL), their 83rd as the Detroit Lions, and their third under head coach Jim Caldwell. This was the first time since 2006 when Calvin Johnson was not on the opening day roster. On January 8, 2016, the Lions hired Bob Quinn as general manager.[1] This was also the first season in over 40 years in which the Lions had an official cheerleading squad.[2] The Lions improved upon their 7–9 record from 2015, and clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2014—the Lions finished tied with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the last NFC playoff spot, but won the tiebreaker based on their record against common opponents. However, the Lions were defeated by the Seattle Seahawks in the Wild Card Round and extended their playoff losing streak to nine games, making it the longest losing streak in the playoffs ever. The Lions would not return to the playoffs again until 2023, where they would snap that postseason losing streak.

  1. ^ Twentyman, Tim (January 8, 2016). "Lions hire general manager". Detroit Lions. Archived from the original on January 10, 2016. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
  2. ^ Detroit Lions cheerleaders make official debut this weekend Archived 2016-10-21 at the Wayback Machine WJBK, September 15, 2016