While hopes of the Detroit Lions making it to the playoffs have been shattered many times before, they definitely weren’t during the 2023-2024 season when the Detroit Lions had an overall record of 12-5 and became the NFC North Champions. So far, the 2024-2025 season seems to be keeping this streak alive with a 12-1 win-loss record.
On Sunday, September 8, the Detroit Lions started their season at Ford Field against the Los Angeles Rams in a rematch from the 2023-2024 playoffs wild card round. While a win looked a bit questionable in the fourth quarter, the Lions were able to send the game into overtime, keeping viewers on their feet. About five minutes into overtime, running back David Montgomery was able to take the ball into the end zone for a yard, securing the Lions their first win. The week after their win, the loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was a shock to Lions fans. But the win against the Arizona Cardinals the following week was satisfying to watch.
Later in the season in week six, the Lions dominated the Dallas Cowboys with a final score of 47-9. Although they won the revenge match after last year’s foiled two-point conversion, the win continues to be bittersweet. The Lion’s favorite defensive end Aiden Hutchinson broke his tibia and fibula during the game and continues to be on the injured list. Up to that point early in the season, he already had 19 tackles and seven and a half sacks this season.
The Lions next faced the Vikings, the undefeated and NFC North division rivals. As division champions automatically go to the playoffs, both teams hungrily wanted the win. When it came down to the final moments of the fourth quarter, the Vikings had just taken the lead by getting a touchdown with five minutes left, making the score 28-29. With 15 seconds left on the clock, Jake Bates made a 44-YD field goal to win the game for the Lions. Although the Vikings got a few more plays with their next possession, the Lions sacked quarterback Sam Darnold on their last play. The Lions stole the top NFC North spot from the Vikings, ending their undefeated streak.
Going into week ten, the Lions improved to a win-loss record of 7-1 from their wins against the Tennessee Titans and the Green Bay Packers the prior two weeks. They next faced the challenging the Houston Texans who were dominating the AFC South with a 6-3 record. Despite Lions quarterback Jared Goff throwing five interceptions during the game, the Lions were still able to rally back to pull out a win after David Montgomery and Amon Ra-St. Brown were able to each score touchdowns, as well as kicker Jake Bates finishing it up with two field goals.
Two weeks later, on November 24, the Lions handily beat the Indianapolis Colts 24-6,and acquired a 10-1 record.
The Lions hosted the Chicago Bears for the annual Thanksgiving game, the first team to hold a game on Thanksgiving Day. The Lions a losing streak for the game on Turkey Day for the past few years, so fans were really hoping for a win. The Lions led the first half when they were up by 16, but the Bears soon caught up to them, with only being three points behind. The Bears only had a few seconds in the fourth quarter to get the ball within the field goal range, and although the Bears still had one timeout, they didn’t take it. On the final play, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams threw an incomplete pass, with the jubilent Lions fans celebrating another win.
This was a big win for them. Dan Campbell became the head coach in 2021, while Goff also joined the Lions in 2021. This was their first Thanksgiving win on the team. The last overall victory for the Lions was in 2016 against the Vikings, in which their final score was 16-13. But now, for the first time in their history, the Lions have a record of 11-1. This is huge for them, considering how most of their seasons have ended poorly. 2008 is a big example, when they had a 0-16 record, or in 2006, when it was 3-13. Additionally, out of the six away games that the Lions have played so far, they have not lost a single one.
In week nine, the Lions added another win against the Packers 24-14. Now, the Packers were looking for revenge. In the second quarter, the Lions were looking good for a win, since they were leading with a score of 17-7 At the end of the third quarter, the Lions were in the lead due to Jared Goff throwing a three yard touchdown to wide receiver Tim Patrick. Within the last three minutes, the game was tied, with a score of 31-31. As the Lions had possession of the ball with less than a minute left, they were able to successfully convert a risky 4th and inches to run out the clock, to set up a walk off kick game winner by Jake Bates at 35 yards. From this win, the Lions were able to clinch a playoff spot.
After Hutchinson’s injury in week six against the Cowboys, many more key players have suffered from other injuries throughout the season. Alex Anzalone, their linebacker with 40 solo tackles and one sack in total, was placed on injured reserve after he suffered a forearm injury in their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Additionally, besides Hutchinson and Anzalone, there are 11 more defensive players that were placed on injured reserve.
Despite the loss of these players, the Lions have still been going strong, with the help of players like linebacker Jake Campbell and his 51 solo tackles, and safety Kirby Joseph with a league leading seven interceptions.
Furthermore, the Lions offense is the second best in total offense in the NFL right now, just behind the Baltimore Ravens. Jared Goff, the starting quarterback, has 3,265 passing yards so far this season, which is eighth in the NFL. Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, the star running backs, have 1,787 rushing yards together. In the game against the Packers, they had 94 rushing yards combined. In October, the dynamic duo hilariously nicknamed themselves as Sonic and Knuckles, which relates to the “Sonic the Hedgehog” video game series. Gibbs is known as Sonic for his speed, and Montgomery is known as Knuckles for his strength and power. Finally, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown has been their top receiver with 893 yards and nine touchdowns this season. For the Packers game, he had a total of 43 yards.
Despite clinching a playoff spot with their win against the Packers, the last few games of the regular season for the Lions are going to be tough. On Sunday, they will face off against the 10-3 Buffalo Bills, led by quarterback and MVP front runner Josh Allen. For the following game, the Lions go up against the Chicago Bears for a second time. After that, they will play the San Francisco 49ers, who previously ended their 2023-2024 season by beating the Lions in the NFC Championship with a final score of 31-34. The last regular season game is the much anticipated rematch versus the Vikings, which will likely determine the NFC North champion.
Bills vs. Lions Dec. 15 4:25 p.m. at Detroit
Lions vs. Bears Dec. 22 1:00 p.m. at Chicago
Lions vs. 49ers Dec. 30 8:15 p.m. at San Francisco
Vikings vs. Lions Jan. 5 TBD at Detroit
