After a promising season where they clinched the NFC’s top playoff seed, the Detroit Lions find themselves on the verge of missing the postseason this year, potentially finishing at the bottom of the NFC North. This outcome comes as a shock for a team that managed 15 wins last season and began the current year with Super Bowl aspirations.
The Lions’ playoff hopes effectively ended with a disappointing 23-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, marking the team’s third consecutive defeat—the first such streak since 2022. Coach Dan Campbell has pointed out that the loss of both coordinators from last year’s successful campaign has impacted the team’s performance as it struggles on both offense and defense. Notably, the Lions have failed to rush for at least 100 yards in three straight games and have allowed almost 32 points per game over their past six outings.
Quarterback Jared Goff voiced the team’s disappointment, stating, “It sucks. We’ll reflect on the whole season after next week, but yeah, it sucks.” With the early end to a season filled with potential, Campbell acknowledged that significant changes may be necessary. “I’m going to be looking at a lot,” he said, emphasizing the need for improvement. “I do not like being home for the playoffs, and I know our guys don’t, either.”
As they prepare for a season finale against the division-leading Chicago Bears, Campbell expects the team to rally. “We got one game to go. I expect everybody to be ready to go when we get back in a couple of days,” he noted, displaying a commitment to finishing the season strong.
Despite the struggles, there have been bright spots in the Lions’ season, with the team recording 48 sacks this year, their highest total since 1999. The Lions showcased a remarkable defensive performance against the Vikings, totaling seven sacks, highlighted by Aidan Hutchinson’s two sacks, which brought his season total to a career-high of 13 1/2.
On the offensive side, rookie wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa has made a notable impact, catching his sixth touchdown pass of the season, setting a franchise record for the most games with a touchdown catch by a rookie wide receiver. However, the team faces challenges as Goff had a rough outing with five turnovers in the recent game, including two interceptions and three fumbles, a stark contrast to the team’s previous performance with eight total giveaways all season before this game.
Injuries are also a concern heading into the final week, with linebacker Alex Anzalone and safety Thomas Harper leaving the game with concussions, and defensive tackle Alim McNeil exacerbating an abdominal issue.
Looking ahead, the Lions are determined to avoid a drastic fall from grace, needing a win against the Bears to salvage pride and avoid finishing last in their division. The atmosphere in Detroit may be somber, but there remains hope that the team can learn from this experience and come back stronger next season.