 Despite a 0–3 start in 1960, the Lions put together a 7–2 record to end the year at 7–5 overall.The Lions finished second in the Western Conference and earned a trip to the Playoff Bowl against their rivals the Cleveland Browns, who finished second in the Eastern Conference.The game was played on January 7, 1961, at the Miami Orange Bowl in Miami, and was the fifth (and to date last) playoff game between the teams.