Lions Collapse Late in the Season: What Went Wrong in Detroit-and What Comes Next
This wasn’t the script Detroit fans had in mind.
Coming off a 15-2 season that had the city dreaming of its first Super Bowl appearance, the Lions entered this year with sky-high expectations. But as Christmas nears, those dreams have all but evaporated. With playoff odds now dipping below the 10% mark, Detroit finds itself staring down the barrel of a lost season-and a long list of questions heading into the offseason.
Let’s start with the most recent gut punch: a deflating loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers that left fans and analysts alike wondering what happened to the identity this team worked so hard to build. The run-first offense?
Gone. The physical, gap-sound run defense?
Nowhere to be found. For a team that prided itself on controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, the collapse has been as swift as it’s been shocking.
And it wasn’t just execution that failed the Lions in Pittsburgh. Coaching decisions were under the microscope all game long-from questionable play calls to puzzling in-game management. Whether it was abandoning the run too early, failing to adjust to Pittsburgh’s defensive looks, or mismanaging key moments late in the game, it felt like the Lions were outcoached and outmaneuvered when it mattered most.
But the issues go beyond one game.
Roster Decisions Loom Large
With more than 20 players set to hit free agency, Detroit’s front office is heading into a pivotal offseason. The core of this team is still intact, but the margin for error is razor-thin.
Do they focus on retaining veterans who know the system? Or is it time to retool, especially in the trenches?
The offensive line, once a strength, has looked shaky down the stretch. Injuries have played a role, sure, but depth and consistency have been glaring issues. On the defensive side, the line hasn’t generated the kind of pressure needed to mask deficiencies in the secondary-which, once again, looks like it may need a full rebuild.
Coaching Staff Under the Microscope
Then there’s the coaching staff. Defensive assistant Kelvin Sheppard is facing serious scrutiny.
Is he simply in over his head? Would bringing in a veteran presence help stabilize the unit?
Or is it time for a more sweeping change, potentially rethinking the entire defensive philosophy?
On offense, the questions are just as pressing. The Lions still rank in the top two in scoring, but the run game has sputtered, and the play-calling has lacked rhythm.
Offensive line coach Hank Fraley, once praised for developing a dominant front, is now drawing criticism for a ground game that’s lost its bite. Is it time to bring in a more seasoned play-caller to help get the most out of this group?
Overreaction-or Reality Check?
Of course, there’s another side to this story. The Lions have faced one of the tougher schedules in the league.
They’ve battled through injuries, close losses, and the kind of late-game breaks that just didn’t go their way. This is still a team with a high-powered offense, a strong locker room culture, and a front office that’s shown it can draft and develop talent.
So maybe this isn’t a full-blown collapse. Maybe it’s a course correction-a reminder that success in the NFL is fragile, and that even the most promising teams can stumble.
The question now is how Detroit responds. Will this offseason be about patching holes and doubling down on what worked?
Or is it time for a deeper reset?
One thing’s for sure: changes are coming. And after a season that began with Super Bowl hopes and now teeters on the edge of playoff elimination, the Lions can’t afford to get this offseason wrong.