1959 Detroit Lions season

The 1959 Detroit Lions season marked their 30th year in the National Football League (NFL). The team failed to improve on their previous season's output of 4–7–1, winning only three games.[1][2] They missed the playoffs for the second straight season.

1959 Detroit Lions season
Head coachGeorge Wilson
Home fieldBriggs Stadium
Results
Record3–8–1
Division place5th NFL Western
Playoff finishDid not qualify

Regular season

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According to the team, a total of 41,029 season tickets were sold by the Lions for the 1959 campaign.[3] The Lions played their home games in Briggs Stadium (Tiger Stadium), which had a regular listed seating capacity of 46,194, with an additional 7,000 bleacher seats for football to bring total capacity to 53,194.[3]

Schedule

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Game Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap Sources
1 September 27 at Baltimore Colts L 9–21 0–1 Memorial Stadium 55,588 Recap
2 October 4 at Green Bay Packers L 10–28 0–2 New City Stadium 32,150 Recap
3 October 11 Baltimore Colts L 24–31 0–3 Briggs Stadium 54,197 Recap
4 October 18 San Francisco 49ers L 13–34 0–4 Briggs Stadium 52,585 Recap
5 October 25 at Los Angeles Rams W 17–7 1–4 L.A. Memorial Coliseum 74,288 Recap
6 November 1 at San Francisco 49ers L 7–33 1–5 Kezar Stadium 59,064 Recap
7 November 8 at Pittsburgh Steelers T 10–10 1–5–1 Forbes Field 24,614 Recap
8 November 15 Los Angeles Rams W 23–17 2–5–1 Briggs Stadium 52,217 Recap
9 November 22 Chicago Bears L 14–24 2–6–1 Briggs Stadium 54,059 Recap
10 November 26 Green Bay Packers L 17–24 2–7–1 Briggs Stadium 49,221 Recap [4][5]
11 December 6 Chicago Cardinals W 45–21 3–7–1 Briggs Stadium 45,811 Recap
12 December 13 at Chicago Bears L 14–25 3–8–1 Wrigley Field 40,890 Recap
Note: Intra-conference opponents are in bold text. November 26: Thanksgiving

Standings

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NFL Western Conference
W L T PCT CONF PF PA STK
Baltimore Colts 9 3 0 .750 9–1 374 251 W5
Chicago Bears 8 4 0 .667 6–4 252 196 W7
San Francisco 49ers 7 5 0 .583 5–5 255 237 L2
Green Bay Packers 7 5 0 .583 6–4 248 246 W4
Detroit Lions 3 8 1 .273 2–8 203 275 L1
Los Angeles Rams 2 10 0 .167 2–8 242 315 L8
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.
NFL Eastern Conference
W L T PCT CONF PF PA STK
New York Giants 10 2 0 .833 8–2 284 170 W4
Philadelphia Eagles 7 5 0 .583 6–4 268 278 L1
Cleveland Browns 7 5 0 .583 6–4 270 214 W1
Pittsburgh Steelers 6 5 1 .545 6–4 257 216 W1
Washington Redskins 3 9 0 .250 2–8 185 350 L5
Chicago Cardinals 2 10 0 .167 2–8 234 324 L6
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.

References

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  1. ^ "Bears beat Lions for 7th straight". Milwaukee Sentinel. Associated Press. December 14, 1959. p. 4, part 2.
  2. ^ 1959 Detroit Lions
  3. ^ a b Edward M. "Bud" Erickson (ed.), Detroit Lions Facts Book 1963: Press, Radio, TV. Detroit, MI: Detroit Football Company, 1963, p. 4.
  4. ^ Lea, Bud (November 26, 1959). "50,000 (plus TV) to see Bays, Lions". Milwaukee Sentinel. p. 3, part 4.
  5. ^ Lea, Bud (November 27, 1959). "Packers start fast, beat Lions". Milwaukee Sentinel. p. 4, part 2.