The 2008Detroit Lions season is the 79th season for the team in the National Football League and 75th season in Detroit. The Lions will enter the season hoping to improve on their 7-9 record in 2007.
S Caleb Campbell from Army (pick aquired from trade with New Orleans) (Due to new rules implemented this year regarding Military athletes by the U.S. Military Academy, he was later ruled ineligible to play professionally until 2010, and instead must serve in The Army until then). [1]
The Lions began their 2008 season at the Georgia Dome against the Atlanta Falcons. In the first quarter, Detroit trailed early as QB Matt Ryan completed a 62-yard TD pass to WR Michael Jenkins, while RB Michael Turner got a 66-yard TD run and a 5-yard TD run. In the second quarter, the Lions would respond with rookie RB Kevin Smith getting a 3-yard TD run, while QB Jon Kitna completed a 21-yard TD pass to WR Roy Williams. However, in the third quarter, Atlanta continued its dominant start with kicker Jason Elam getting 50-yard field goal, while RB Jerious Norwood got a 10-yard TD run. Detroit would reply with Kitna hooking up with TE Casey FitzSimmons on a 1-yard TD pass. However, the Falcons sealed the win in the fourth quarter with Elam nailing a 25-yard field goal.
With the loss, the Lions began their season at 0-1.
Hoping to rebound from their road loss to the Falcons, the Lions played their Week 2 home opener against their NFC North foe, the Green Bay Packers. In the first quarter, Detroit trailed as Packers QB Aaron Rodgers completed a 9-yard TD pass to WR James Jones. In the second quarter, the Lions continued to trail as Rodgers completed a 2-yard TD pass to WR Donald Driver and a 29-yard TD pass to WR Jordy Nelson. Detroit would close out the first half with kicker Jason Hanson getting a 38-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, the Lions continued to hack away at Green Bay's lead with Hanson kicking a 49-yard and a 53-yard field goal. The Packers responded with kicker Mason Crosby getting a 25-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, Detroit clawed away at the Pack's lead with QB Jon Kitna completing a 38-yard TD pass to WR Calvin Johnson. The Lions closed in as Packers punter Derrick Frost's punt was high, causing it to go through the back of his end zone, giving Detroit a safety. The Lions would take the lead on Kitna's 47-yard TD pass to C. Johnson. However, Green Bay rebounded with Crosby's 39-yard field goal, RB Brandon Jackson's 19-yard TD run, CB Charles Woodson's 41-yard interception return for a touchdown, and safety Nick Collins' 42-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Trying to snap a two-game skid, the Lions flew to Candlestick Park for a Week 3 duel with the San Francisco 49ers. In the first quarter, Detroit trailed early as 49ers QB J.T. O'Sullivan completed a 6-yard TD pass to WR Isaac Bruce. In the second quarter, San Francisco increased its lead with RB Frank Gore getting a 4-yard TD run. The Lions would get on the board with kicker Jason Hanson getting a 44-yard field goal. The 49ers closed out the half with O'Sullivan completing a 24-yard TD pass to TE Delanie Walker.
In the third quarter, Detroit tried to rally as Hanson kicked a 51-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, San Francisco increased its lead with CB Allen Rossum getting a 1-yard TD run. The Lions tried to comeback as QB Jon Kitna completed a 34-yard TD pass to RB Rudi Johnson, yet the 49ers pulled away with kicker Joe Nedney nailing a 25-yard field goal.
With the loss, Detroit fell to 0-3.
Week 4: Bye Week
In the bye week, team president and general manager Matt Millen,was fired after eight years of management in which the team accumulated a league-worst record of 31 wins and 84 losses.[3]
Coming off their bye week, the Lions played a Week 5 NFC North duel at home with the Chicago Bears. In the first quarter, Detroit trailed early as Bears kicker Robbie Gould got a 37-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Lions continued to trail as QB Kyle Orton completed a 9-yard TD pass to RB Matt Forté and a 12-yard TD pass to WR/KR Devin Hester. In the third quarter, Chicago continued its domination as Forté got a 1-yard TD run, along with CB Charles Tillman returning an interception 26 yards for a touchdown. Afterwards, Detroit got its only score of the game as rookie RB Kevin Smith got a 12-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, the Bears sealed the win with Gould nailing a 45-yard field goal.
