1982 Detroit Lions season
The 1982 Detroit Lions season was the 53rd season in franchise history. An NFL players strike shortened the regular season to nine games. The Lions qualified for their first postseason appearance since 1970. The NFL changed the playoff format due to the strike. The Lions became one of only four teams to ever qualify for the playoffs despite having a losing record. The Lions and the 1982 Cleveland Browns are the only two teams with a losing record to qualify as wildcards. In 2010, the Seattle Seahawks became the third team with a losing record to qualify for the playoffs and the first team to win a division title with a losing record. The Lions lost to the Washington Redskins at RFK Stadium in the first round of the playoffs.Offseason
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | School |
| 1 | 15 | Jimmy Williams | LB | Nebraska |
| 2 | 42 | Bobby Watkins | CB | Southwest Texas State |
| 3 | 69 | Steve Doig | LB | New Hampshire |
| 4 | 96 | Bruce McNorton | CB | Georgetown |
| 5 | 127 | William Graham | S | Texas |
| 6 | 154 | Mike Machurek | QB | Idaho State |
| 7 | 175 | Phil Bates | RB | Nebraska |
| 7 | 187 | Victor Simmons | WR | Oregon State |
| 8 | 208 | Martin Moss | DE | UCLA |
| 9 | 231 | Dan Wagoner | DB | Kansas |
| 10 | 266 | Roosevelt Barnes | LB | Purdue |
| 11 | 292 | Edward Lee | WR | South Carolina State |
| 12 | 319 | Ricky Porter | RB | Slippery Rock |
| 12 | 326 | Rob Rubick | TE | Grand Valley State |
Roster
Regular season
Schedule
Standings
Season summary
Week 12
Playoffs
The Redskins jumped to a 24–0 lead en route to a 31–7 victory over the Lions.Awards and records
Regular Season record
