The 2022 Detroit Lions- A Season To Remember
It was a cold, windy night on Sunday, January 8. As they walked off Lambeau Field, the Detroit Lions were walking off of a 20-16 win over their NFC North division rival, the Green Bay Packers. Rookie defensive end Aidan Hutchinson proved why he was the favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year, while running back Jamaal Williams stole the hearts of millions with his NBC player introduction, before scoring two rushing touchdowns en route to their victory. The campaign was one to remember, as they improved from an abysmal 3-13 record the year before to finishing with a 9-8 winning record, second in the NFC North.
Before the start of the season, the team had made some new additions, both via trade and via the NFL Draft. In April's draft, they selected Aidan Hutchinson with the second overall pick, before making another first-round pick in wide receiver Jameson Williams. Other notable picks who went on to make profound impacts in the coming season included defensive back Kerby Joseph and linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez. Aside from draft pick trades, their only major trade of the year happened when they traded tight end T.J. Hockenson to the Minnesota Vikings for a couple of draft picks. In the end, these draft picks proved essential, as they helped them draft players like Williams and Rodriguez. They also signed numerous free agents, including linebacker Alex Anzalone, center Evan Brown, and wide receiver Josh Reynolds, among others.
The regular season campaign began with a home game against the Philadelphia Eagles, the eventual NFC champions, in early September. While the team showed promise, they went on to lose 35-38 before heading into week two, where they secured their first win of the season against the Washington Commanders. From there on, things only went downhill, they would go on to lose their next five consecutive games, entering week nine with a record of 1-6. That week, they had a home game against the Green Bay Packers, who also had a losing record at 3-5. Entering the fourth quarter, the Lions held a two-point lead before James Mitchell caught a touchdown pass from Jared Goff, and they would go on to win 15-9. Detroit's defense locked down, catching three interceptions off Green Bay’s quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. This game marked the start of a tremendous turnaround for the team in Honolulu blue, who would go on to win their next three games.
The most entertaining game of the season, while it did result in a loss, came on Thanksgiving day against the Buffalo Bills. After kicker Michael Badgley tied the game at 25 points apiece with 23 seconds left in the fourth, the Bills reigned victorious after Tyler Bass converted a 45-yard game-winning field goal as the clock expired. Such a game for the Lions gave the fans hope that their team was on the brink of something fantastic. They went 4-1 in the five games heading into week eighteen, with their one loss against the Carolina Panthers just before they had their biggest victory margin of the season, a 41-10 win over the Chicago Bears.
Soon enough, it was week eighteen, the final week of the regular season. The Lions were set to end their season on January 8 with an away game against the Packers, with not much to play for since they had already been eliminated from playoff contention, even while holding a .500 record with 8 wins and 8 losses.
The Packers held the lead for most of the game, although their largest lead was only six points in the second quarter. In the third quarter, with the Packers leading 9-6, Jamaal Williams rushed to the endzone to score the game's first touchdown and to give the Lions their first lead of the game at 13-9. Just five minutes later, Allen Lazard caught a touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers to put Green Bay back on top 16-13. It seemed like Green Bay was on the cusp of the playoffs, but not quite.
With about seven minutes left to go in the fourth, Packers linebacker Quay Walker shoved a Detroit staff member, resulting in his ejection and an automatic five yards for the Lions. This would prove crucial for them, as Williams once again rushed to the endzone for another touchdown, his second of the game, putting the Lions on top again. Earlier in the game, he had hit the 1,000 yard mark for the season, becoming the Lions' first running back to hit this mark since Reggie Bush did it in 2013. These two touchdowns also solidified his crown as the NFL's rushing touchdown leader for the 2022 season, finishing with 4 more than Derrick Henry, Austin Ekeler, and Jalen Hurts in second place.
After Williams helped the Lions regain the lead, a pass from Aaron Rodgers that was meant for wide receiver Christian Watson was intercepted by Kerby Joseph. With a minute to go on 4th & 1, head coach Dan Campbell made a gutsy move and decided to run a pass play instead of opting to go for a field goal. Jared Goff made a quick pass to wide receiver D.J. Chark for a first down, and there was the nail in the coffin on the Packers' playoff hopes. While the Lions mathematically had no chance of making the playoffs, they ended their season on the best note possible, by eliminating their hated division rival and gifting the Seattle Seahawks the final spot in the playoffs.
After the season ended, four Lions were named to the Pro Bowl; wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, tackle Penei Sewell, center Frank Ragnow, and quarterback Jared Goff. Aidan Hutchinson was named a finalist for both Defensive Rookie of the Year, as well as Rookie of the Year, and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson was named a finalist for Assistant Coach of the Year. Many key players are set to enter free agency, such as Jamaal Williams, Brock Wright, D.J. Chark, John Cominsky, and Alex Anzalone, among others.
As football fans celebrate the Kansas City Chiefs' win in Super Bowl LVII, Detroit fans await the 2023 season and the return of Lions football at Ford Field.