Three Lions were named to the Pro Bowl: Cornerback Dré Bly, return specialist Eddie Drummond, and defensive tackle Shaun Rogers.

[2] Early in March, the Lions released running back James Stewart, former first-round pick defensive tackle Luther Elliss, wide receiver Bill Schroeder, and veteran cornerback Corey Harris.

[3][4] Detroit released more players prior to the regular season, including tight end Mikhael Ricks,[5] wide receiver David Kircus, running back Avon Cobourne, and fullback Stephen Trejo.

[6] The Lions re-signed defensive end James Hall and restructured franchise all-time sack leader Robert Porcher's despite the latter contemplating retirement.

[12] The Lions signed offensive lineman Damien Woody, cornerback Fernando Bryant,[13] and quarterback Rick Mirer.

[13] Late into the season, the lions also signed offensive lineman Sean Bubin from the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad.

[14] Detroit drafted two players in the first round: wide receiver Roy Williams and running back Kevin Jones.

[16] Detroit's second round selection, Teddy Lehman, spent four seasons with the Lions and recorded 2 interceptions, 148 combined tackles, and a sack.

[16] Their third round selection, Keith Smith, spent five seasons with Detroit, recording 4 interceptions, 13 passes defended, and 159 combined tackles.

[17] Linebacker Alex Lewis, their fifth round pick, spent his entire five year career with the Lions, recording one interception, two sacks, and 177 combined tackles.

With 1:09 left in the game and set up with good field position by a 43-yard Swinton return, the Lions scored a game-winning 26-yard touchdown to win 20–17.

[26] Detroit's second-round selection in 2003, linebacker Boss Bailey, would miss the entirety of the 2004 season after an injury in practice revealed torn cartilage.

[31] On the second-half opening kickoff during the Thanksgiving Day matchup against the Colts, return specialist Eddie Drummond fractured his shoulder blade, keeping him out for the rest of the season.

After starting the game with four straight punts, the Lions got good field position when running back Domanick Williams fumbled the ball away.

But the Lions weren't able to come up with any points when Jason Hanson missed a 47-yard field goal wide right to keep it scoreless going into the second quarter.

[36] Detroit ended the first drive of the second half with a Harrington interception to Aaron Glenn, but got the ball right back when Domanick Williams fumbled on a pass from Carr.

The Texans looked to pull within three when Carr found Corey Bradford on the 27-yard touchdown pass, but the ensuing 2-point conversion failed, keeping the score at 21–16.

The Lions responded when, on fourth-and-five, Joey Harrington found Az-Zahir Hakim on a 39-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7 apiece.

On the first play of the Falcons' responding drive, Michael Vick threw an interception to linebacker Alex Lewis who returned it 33 yards to Atlanta's 2-yard line.

After the next two drives ended in punts, the Packers responded with a Ryan Longwell 50-yard boot as time expired to put the score at 17–10 heading into halftime.

[40] The Packers punted on the opening drive of the half before an errant Harrington pass was intercepted by Darren Sharper and returned 36 yards for the touchdown.

The Lions got off to a hot start when they took the first drive of the game 70 yards, capped by a Joey Harrington 18-yard touchdown pass to Roy Williams.

After Warner threw three straight incompletions to turn the ball over on downs with 2:11 left the game, Artose Pinner scored the dagger 8-yard touchdown run to seal the 28–13 victory for Detroit and a 4–2 record.

Dallas responded with a long 15 play, 83-yard drive before Vinny Testaverde found Jason Witten for the 17-yard touchdown pass to tie it at 7 apiece.

After three punts, the Cowboys moved to mid-field before Testaverde threw an interception to Dré Bly who returned it down the sideline for the 55-yard pick-six.

[42] On the first play of the second half, a flea flicker by Testaverde fell short, but a 43-yard defensive pass interference penalty from cornerback Chris Cash put the Cowboys at the Lions' 3-yard line.

The Lions quickly responded when Harrington found David Kircus on a curl route for the 50-yard touchdown pass to pull within a field goal.

After four more punts, the Lions moved from their own 3-yard line with Harrington passes of 14, 16, and 14 yards to kick a 40-yard field goal as time expired in the first half.

The Lions took the lead when, on the responding drive, they drove 60 yards to score on a Joey Harrington 1-yard touchdown pass to Stephen Alexander.

The Lions punted after getting the ball, and the Vikings took 8:11 off the clock with a 17 play, 78 yard drive ending with a Culpepper pass to Nate Burleson.