| Regular Season: Week 1 |
 49ers |
at |
 Lions |
Sunday, September 6, 1981 |
3:00PM |
SF 17, DET 24 |
| Regular Season: Week 2 |
Lions |
at |
 Chargers |
Sunday, September 13, 1981 |
3:00PM |
DET 23, SD 28 |
| Regular Season: Week 3 |
Lions |
at |
 Vikings |
Sunday, September 20, 1981 |
3:00PM |
DET 24, MIN 26 |
| Regular Season: Week 4 |
 Raiders |
at |
Lions |
Sunday, September 27, 1981 |
3:00PM |
OAK 0, DET 16 |
| Regular Season: Week 5 |
Lions |
at |
 Buccaneers |
Sunday, October 4, 1981 |
3:00PM |
DET 10, TB 28 |
| Regular Season: Week 6 |
Lions |
at |
 Broncos |
Sunday, October 11, 1981 |
3:00PM |
DET 21, DEN 27 |
| Regular Season: Week 7 |
 Bears |
at |
Lions |
Monday, October 19, 1981 |
3:00PM |
CHI 17, DET 48 |
| Regular Season: Week 8 |
 Packers |
at |
Lions |
Sunday, October 25, 1981 |
2:00PM |
GB 27, DET 31 |
| Regular Season: Week 9 |
Lions |
at |
 Rams |
Sunday, November 1, 1981 |
3:00PM |
DET 13, LA 20 |
| Regular Season: Week 10 |
Lions |
at |
 Redskins |
Sunday, November 8, 1981 |
3:00PM |
DET 31, WAS 33 |
| Regular Season: Week 11 |
 Cowboys |
at |
Lions |
Sunday, November 15, 1981 |
3:00PM |
DAL 24, DET 27 |
| Regular Season: Week 12 |
Lions |
at |
Bears |
Sunday, November 22, 1981 |
3:00PM |
DET 23, CHI 7 |
| Regular Season: Week 13 |
 Chiefs |
at |
Lions |
Thursday, November 26, 1981 |
3:00PM |
KC 10, DET 27 |
| Regular Season: Week 14 |
Lions |
at |
Packers |
Sunday, December 6, 1981 |
3:00PM |
DET 17, GB 31 |
| Regular Season: Week 15 |
Vikings |
at |
Lions |
Saturday, December 12, 1981 |
3:00PM |
MIN 7, DET 45 |
| Regular Season: Week 16 |
Buccaneers |
at |
Lions |
Sunday, December 20, 1981 |
3:00PM |
TB 20, DET 17 |