1972 Detroit Lions season

1972 Detroit Lions season
Head coach	Joe Schmidt
Results
Record	8–5–1
Division place	2nd NFC Central
Playoff finish	did not qualify

The 1972 Detroit Lions season was their 43rd in the league. The team improved on their previous season's output of 7–6–1, winning eight games. The team missed the playoffs for the second straight season. Linebacker Wayne Walker establishes a new team record for games played at 200. It was also the final season for longtime DB Dick LeBeau.

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Attendance
1	September 17, 1972	New York Giants	W 30–16	54,418
2	September 24, 1972	Minnesota Vikings	L 34–10	54,418
3	October 1, 1972	at Chicago Bears	W 38–24	55,701
4	October 8, 1972	at Atlanta Falcons	W 26–23	58,850
5	October 16, 1972	Green Bay Packers	L 24–23	54,418
6	October 22, 1972	San Diego Chargers	W 34–20	54,371
7	October 30, 1972	at Dallas Cowboys	L 28–24	65,378
8	November 5, 1972	Chicago Bears	W 14–0	54,418
9	November 12, 1972	at Minnesota Vikings	L 16–14	49,784
10	November 19, 1972	New Orleans Saints	W 27–14	53,752
11	November 23, 1972	New York Jets	W 37–20	54,418
12	December 3, 1972	at Green Bay Packers	L 33–7	56,263
13	December 10, 1972	at Buffalo Bills	T 21–21	41,583
14	December 17, 1972	at Los Angeles Rams	W 37–17	71,761

Standings

NFC Central
	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
Green Bay Packers	10	4	0	.714	5–1	8–3	304	226	W3
Detroit Lions	8	5	1	.607	2–4	6–5	339	290	W1
Minnesota Vikings	7	7	0	.500	4–2	6–5	301	252	L2
Chicago Bears	4	9	1	.321	1–5	3–7–1	225	275	L1