2025 NFL Preview: Detroit Lions Season Outlook, Schedule & Prediction
2025 DETROIT LIONS SEASON PREVIEW
The Detroit Lions were a buzzsaw last season after a Week 2 loss to Tampa Bay. The Lions would go onto win 11 games in a row before a shootout agains the Buffalo Bills. The biggest win of the season came in Week 18 as the Lions took down the Minnesota Vikings to winch NFC North and secure the No. 1 seed in the postseason. The Lions fell to the Washington Commanders in the Divisional Round on their home field.
OFFENSE
The Lions will enter the season with one of the league’s best offenses once again. The question will be, how much will the loss of Ben Johnson impact production?
Detroit has finished near the top of the NFL in yards in each of the last three years. This season, John Morton will take over for Johnson as offensive coordinator.
The good news is that Jared Goff will lead a large group of returners for the team.
The pas catchers are loaded once again with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams on the outside. Sam LaPorta took a bit of a step back in his second year but remains in the top tier of tight ends around the league. The Lions also added rookie Isaac TeSlaa, who is expected to be a strong depth piece.
the ground game remains the strength of the team. Jahmyr Gibbs put up monster numbers with 1,400+ rushing yards and 14 touchdowns last season. David Montgomery was used effectively as well and scored double-digit touchdowns. It will be interesting to see how Morton uses the running backs this season.
Along the offensive line, Frank Ragnow announced his retirement and this leaves a hole in the interior of the line. Graham Glasnow and Christian Mahogany make up a lackluster interior but the tackles are in much better shape.
Penei Sewell might be the best left tackle in the league while Taylor Decker excels on the right side.
DEFENSE
The defense for the Lions was not elite last season but good enough to make many believe the team could win the Super Bowl.
Many injuries halted production as the season went on and of course, it began with Aidan Hutchinson. He had 7.5 sacks in five games before being lost for the year with a broken leg. The return of Hutchinson marks an expected improvement in the pass rush.
The Lions also lost Alim McNeill for the postseason. This impacted the front seven even more. With McNeill back, this is another boost. Detroit also added depth with Tyliek Williams in the first round of the draft.
In the middle of the defense, Jack Campbell was the only starter to play all 17 games. Alex Anzalone missed seven games while Malcolm Rodriguez and Derrick Barnes combined to miss 22 games.
The secondary will miss Carlton Davis but made up for it by signing D.J. Reed in free agency. this was a big-time addition in the secondary to pair with Amik Robertson. At safety, it will be Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph once again.
SCHEDULE
Week 1: at Green Bay Packers
Week 2: vs. Chicago Bears
Week 3: at Baltimore Ravens (Monday Night)
Week 4: vs. Cleveland Browns
Week 5: at Cincinnati Bengals
Week 6: at Kansas City Chiefs (Sunday Night)
Week 7: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Monday Night)
Week 8: BYE WEEK
Week 9: vs. Minnesota Vikings
Week 10: at Washington Commanders
Week 11: at Philadelphia Eagles (Sunday Night)
Week 12: vs. New York Giants
Week 13: v. Green Bay Packers (Thanksgiving Day)
Week 14: vs. Dallas Cowboys (Thursday Night)
Week 15: at Los Angeles Rams
Week 16: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 17: at Minnesota Vikings
Week 18: at Chicago Bears
Record Prediction: 11-6