In the midst of a major rebuilding project, the woeful Lions finished the season with a 2–14 record, equal-worst record in the NFL and a tiebreaker with the 49ers gave the Lions the first pick overall in the 1980 NFL Draft.
Detroit entered the year as a favorite in the NFC Central,[1] but a season-ending injury to quarterback Gary Danielson in the preseason[2] forced the Lions to ultimately turn to a rookie ninth-round pick, Jeff Komlo, behind center, with disastrous results.
[3] Running backs (RB) Wide receivers (WR) Tight ends (TE) Defensive linemen (DL) Defensive backs (DB) Special teams Reserve
Rookies in italics Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
This article relating to an American football season is a stub.