The Detroit Lions’ playoff hopes took a serious hit in Week 16, falling 29-24 to the Pittsburgh Steelers in a game that felt like a microcosm of their season: moments of promise, but not enough consistency to close the deal. Detroit entered the game as touchdown favorites, but never looked fully in control-and now, with just two games left, their postseason path is hanging by a thread.
Let’s break down where things stand after a loss that might end up defining the Lions’ 2025 season.
A Costly Finish-and a Costly Call
There’s no doubt that the final sequence will be talked about for a while. A controversial offensive pass interference call in the final moments derailed a potential game-winning drive.
While officiating debates are nothing new in the NFL, this one felt especially brutal given what was at stake. Whether or not you agree with the flag, the reality is this: that call might’ve slammed the door on Detroit’s playoff chances.
But it wasn’t just about one play. The Lions put themselves in a position where one call could swing the game-and possibly the season. That’s the bigger issue.
Power Rankings Reflect the Slide
The fallout from the loss was immediate in the power rankings. Detroit dropped to 14th and 15th in several major outlets after sitting inside the top 10 just a week ago.
That’s what happens when a team expected to contend for the NFC North title finds itself under .500 this late in the year. The Lions are now on their first losing streak since 2022, and it could very well lead to their first playoff miss since then, too.
What’s Going Wrong?
Let’s start with the offense. After a breakout campaign in 2024, Detroit’s run game has regressed.
The offensive line, once a strength, has been banged up and inconsistent. Without the ability to control the ground game, the Lions have leaned more on the passing attack-but that’s exposed some issues with play calling and execution.
There’s already buzz that the team could be in the market for a new offensive coordinator this offseason.
Defensively, things have been even more concerning. Since Week 8, Detroit ranks near the bottom of the league in EPA per play.
That’s not a small sample size-it’s a trend. The Lions have struggled to get stops when it matters, and the Steelers took full advantage, carving up a unit that hasn’t looked the same since midseason.
The Rookie Bright Spot
If there’s one silver lining, it’s rookie wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa. He hasn’t seen a ton of volume, but when he’s been targeted, he’s made it count.
Five of his 12 catches have gone for touchdowns, and he’s already made his way into the team’s record books. TeSlaa became just the fourth rookie wideout in franchise history with at least five touchdown receptions, joining names like Amon-Ra St.
Brown, Titus Young, and Roy Williams. His one-handed grab in Week 1 was a preview of the kind of impact he can have moving forward.
Looking Ahead-and Beyond
The Lions’ playoff chances aren’t technically dead, but it’s going to take a miracle. They’ve got two road games left, and they’ll need to win at least one just to avoid finishing below .500.
That’s a far cry from where expectations were back in September. Since Week 5, Detroit is 4-6-a steep drop-off for a team that was supposed to be ascending.
And with big contracts already on the books and more extensions on the horizon, this version of the Lions might be nearing a crossroads. Was 2024 the peak? Or is this just a one-year stumble in what’s still a promising era under Dan Campbell?
The good news is that Detroit isn’t in rebuild mode. The foundation is still solid, and the 2026 draft class is expected to be deep at key positions like guard-an area of need. If the right coaching changes are made and the roster gets healthy, this could still be a team that competes at a high level next season.
But for now, the Lions are left wondering how a season that started with so much promise unraveled so quickly. The defense couldn’t hold, the offense couldn’t finish, and the margin for error-already razor-thin in the NFL-vanished when it mattered most.