The Detroit Lions are one of the oldest franchises in NFL history, as they have been in the league since 1930. However, despite the fact that they’re coming up on a century in the NFL, the Lions have never won a Super Bowl. It’s worth noting that the Lions did win four NFL Championships, but these predated the Super Bowl era, which began in 1967.
How Many Super Bowls Have the Detroit Lions Played In?
Not only have the Lions never hoisted the Lombardi Trophy, but they are one of four teams that have never reached the Super Bowl, along with the Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Houston Texans.
In the Super Bowl era, the Lions have made three appearances in the NFC Championship Game: the 1991 season (lost to Washington) and the 2023 season (lost to San Fransisco).
What Is the Lions’ Super Bowl Record?
The Lions have yet to appear in a Super Bowl, but they are 4-1 all-time in championship games. Their last appearance in an NFL championship game came in 1957 before the Super Bowl era got underway.
How Many Super Bowls Have the Lions Won?
Again, the Lions have never won a Super Bowl. However, Detroit has four pre-Super Bowl NFL Championships, with the last coming in 1957.
They are one of 14 teams in NFL history to have won four or more NFL Championships.
NFL Championship Wins by the Lions
1935: Lions Claim First Championship
Playing for the first time in the NFL championship game, the Lions dominated the New York Giants, 26-7. The Lions scored four touchdown runs by four different players, including Buddy Parker, who would go on to be the head coach of the Lions in the 1950s. Parker led Detroit to back-to-back NFL titles in 1952 and 1953.
1952: Lions Win Second Title
Seventeen years after their first NFL Championship, the Lions went on the road and beat the Browns in Cleveland, 17-7. Detroit was forced to play a tiebreaker playoff game the previous week, beating the Los Angeles Rams 31-21.
Quarterback Bobby Layne threw for only 68 yards but did have the game’s first score on a touchdown run in the second quarter. Running back Doak Walker also had a TD run for the Lions, who won despite getting outgained by the Browns 384-258. Detroit’s defense forced two turnovers, including an interception of the Browns legendary QB Otto Graham.
1953: Detroit Goes Back-to-Back
Led by Layne and Walker, the Lions won their second consecutive NFL championship, beating the Browns once again, this time by a narrow score of 17-16.
Detroit rallied in the fourth quarter with a late touchdown pass by Layne to Jim Doran.
Walker contributed a touchdown run, a field goal, and two extra points for the Lions, who won their third NFL championship with the victory.
1957: Lions’ Most Recent Title
Despite the absence of Layne (who was injured) at quarterback, the Lions were able to beat their rival Browns 59-14. Cleveland, by the way, featured a rookie running back named Jim Brown.
Detroit’s backup quarterback Tobin Rote threw for 280 yards on just 12 completions (12-for-19), with four touchdown passes and another score on the ground. The Lions’ defense forced seven turnovers by the Browns, including five interceptions.
1954: Lions’ Only Championship Game Loss
The Lions had the chance to become the first franchise to win three consecutive NFL Championships, but they fell to the Browns in a 56-10 blowout loss.
This was the third straight year that these two teams faced off for the NFL Championship, but this game was best known for its mistakes. The two teams combined for 13 turnovers, with nine by the Lions, including six interceptions by Layne.