After the 2002 season, general manager Matt Millen said that head coach Marty Mornhinweg would return in 2003 despite compiling a 5–27 record.

[3] The league investigated and fined general manager Matt Millen $200,000 for "failing to interview a minority head coaching candidate".

Owner William Clay Ford Sr. said that Commissioner Paul Tagliabue was "singling out the Lions" and that he had "lost a lot of respect for [him].

[10] They lost cornerback Todd Lyght to retirement and brought back linebacker Brian Williams and defensive tackle Jared DeVries on a one-year and three-year deal respectively.

[14] They also signed fullback Cory Schlesinger to a two-year extension and brought in running back Shawn Bryson on a one-year deal.

Their second round pick, linebacker Boss Bailey, played for the Lions until 2007 and produced 7.0 sacks and thirteen passes defended.

[24] Defensive back Terrence Holt, who eventually moved to free safety in 2005, racked up eight interceptions in his four years with the Lions.

To begin the game, punter John Jett was able to pin the Steelers within their 2-yard line which paid off when Lions Barrett Green sacked Tommy Maddox in the endzone for the safety and early 2–0 lead.

[41][42] During the Week 14 matchup against the San Diego Chargers, safety Corey Harris and long snapper Bradford Banta were lost for the season with a torn hamstring and broken collarbone respectively.

A short Cardinals punt left the Lions with great field position, which they capitalized on with a Harrington touchdown pass to Rogers to go up 14–7.

The Cardinals failed to respond when Blake threw an errant pass that was intercepted by Dré Bly and returned 48 yards for the touchdown to bring the Lions lead to 42–24.

After two punts, the Vikings ended the shutout with a Daunte Culpepper 14-yard rushing touchdown, which, after a bad snap on the extra point, brought the score to 10–6.

The Broncos responded with a 9 play, 80-yard drive that ended with a Jake Plummer 29-yard bomb to Ashley Lelie to tie the game at 7 apiece.

After an interception by Dré Bly on the first play of the 49ers next drive, the Lions scored on a Mikhael Ricks 6-yard reception from Joey Harrington to put them within 7 as the half came to a close.

Both teams punted thrice to start the game before Joey Harrington threw a pick to Charles Tillman on the first play of Detroit's fourth drive.

The Lions went three-and-out on their next possession, but they got the ball back when Jerry Rice fumbled a pass that was recovered by Barrett Green and brought to Oakland's 12-yard line.

After a Lions fake punt failed to convert, the Bears attempted a 48-yard field goal that was blocked by Jared DeVries to keep the game tied.

On the first play of Chicago's ensuing drive, Chandler threw an interception to Corey Harris that sealed the 12–10 victory for Detroit, winning two straight for the first time since 2000.

The Seahawks extended their lead when Hasselbeck ran to the Lions' 3 before DeVries forced a fumble that was recovered by Seattle's Koren Robinson for the score.

After three straight punts, Seattle capitalized on good field position and scored on a Hasselbeck pass to Bobby Engram to extend their lead to 28–7.

After three more punts, Detroit made it into Seattle territory before Harrington turned the ball over on an interception to Reggie Tongue to seal the 14–35 loss.

The Lions attempted to put points on the board heading into the half, but Hanson missed his first (and only) field goal of the season, a 43-yarder, wide right.

On the Lions ensuing drive, an errant Harrington pass intended for Hakim was intercepted by Corey Chavous and brought back 32 yards for the pick-6.

Green Bay responded by driving downfield and scoring on a Favre 5-yard pass to Bubba Franks to put the Packers on the board 10–7.

The Lions got the ball straight back when Brian Walker strip-sacked Favre, allowing Dan Wilkinson to recover.

Both teams punted to begin the game, with San Diego opening up the scoring on a Doug Flutie 16-yard pass to LaDainian Tomlinson.

The Lions responded with a Harrington 8-yard pass to Hakim, bringing the halftime score to 28–10 after a Morten Andersen missed 48-yard field goal.

The Lions punted on their first possession before the Panthers scored on a Steve Smith Sr. 20-yard pass from Jake Delhomme to take the early 7–0 lead.

The Lions turned the ball over once again when a Harrington pass to Hakim was forced out by Pisa Tinoisamoa and recovered by safety Aeneas Williams at the Rams 48.

The Lions defensive line batted two Bulger passes to force the Rams to settle for a Wilkins 36-yard field goal, which he made to put the score at 20–10 entering halftime.