The team began attempting to improve on their 5–11 record from 2003, they improved to 6—10 that season but, the Lions couldn't make the playoffs for a sixth consecutive season. In week 1, the Lions defeated the Chicago Bears in Chicago, 20-16, to snap a 24-game road losing streak, which was the longest road losing streak in franchise history. It was the first road win for the Lions under Matt Millen. The Lions would defeat the Houston Texans the next week, 28-16, to start the season 2-0. In week 7, the Lions defeated the New York Giants 28-13 on the road to begin the season 4-2, while going 3-0 on the road during that span. However, in the weeks following, the Lions played disastrous football, as they would lose 5 straight games to sit at 4-7. The Lions would then defeat the Arizona Cardinals 26-12 the following week. However, the week after that, the Lions were eliminated from the playoffs after they lost to the Packers 16-13 in Green Bay. The Lions would only win 1 more game the rest of the season, as they defeated the Bears in week 16 19-13 at home. The Lions sweep over the Bears during the season would be one of 2 times during the Matt Millen era that saw the Lions sweep a divisional opponent. They also did it in 2007, which was also against the Bears.