The Detroit Lions were one of the NFL’s feel-good stories not long ago-an underdog turned contender, roaring their way to back-to-back NFC North titles behind a gritty, physical brand of football. Over the last two seasons, they went a combined 27-7, shaking off years of irrelevance and putting the league on notice. But fast forward to Week 17 of the 2025 season, and Detroit finds itself sitting at 8-7, teetering on the edge of missing the playoffs entirely.
So what happened? How did a team that looked ready to take the next step toward the Super Bowl suddenly find itself slipping back toward mediocrity? Let’s break down what’s gone wrong in the Motor City-and why this year’s Lions haven’t been the same group that stormed through the NFC the past two seasons.
Coaching Turnover and Personnel Losses
You can’t talk about Detroit’s step back without starting at the top. The Lions lost both of their coordinators from last season-offensive guru Ben Johnson and defensive architect Aaron Glenn-each landing head coaching gigs elsewhere. That’s a huge brain drain for a team that thrived on continuity and cohesion.
In their place, John Morton and Kelvin Sheppard have stepped in and done what they can. But without the same level of talent infusion via free agency or the draft, it’s been tough to replicate the success. The Lions simply didn’t reload this offseason the way other contenders did, and it’s shown.
Then there’s the injury bug, which hasn’t just bitten Detroit-it’s chewed through key parts of the roster. Tight end Sam LaPorta, rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold, and safety Brian Branch have all missed time, and the depth just hasn’t been there to cover those losses. Detroit’s been hit harder than most teams, and not just in quantity-these are impact players going down.
The result? A team that once prided itself on its “next man up” mentality has struggled to keep that mantra alive when both starters and backups are sidelined. And the numbers back it up.
Rushing Attack: From Dominant to Diminished
One of the hallmarks of this Lions team under Dan Campbell has been a punishing ground game. Last season, they ranked sixth in the NFL in rushing, averaging 146.4 yards per game. This year, that number’s dipped to 123.4-still respectable, but not quite the same hammer they used to swing.
And it’s not just the average that tells the story-it’s the inconsistency. In several key matchups, opposing defenses have completely shut down Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
Week 1 against the Packers? Just 46 yards.
Week 15 vs. the Rams? 70.
Week 17 against the Steelers? A stunning 15 yards.
That’s not the Lions brand of football. Part of the issue has been reshuffling along the offensive line, which has made it easier for defenses to key in on the run. Without that reliable ground game to set the tone, the offense has become more predictable-and less dangerous.
Third-Down Efficiency Takes a Hit
Last season, Detroit was one of the best third-down teams in the league, converting at a 46.7% clip-good for fourth in the NFL. This year? They’ve dropped to 19th, converting just 38.5% of their third downs.
That’s a significant drop, and it’s tied closely to the early-down struggles in the run game. When you’re facing more third-and-longs, your conversion rate is going to take a hit. And while the Lions are still putting up over 30 points per game-second-best in the league-it’s slightly down from last year’s 33 points per game.
Same goes for red zone efficiency. They’re still scoring touchdowns on 64% of their red zone trips, just a tick below last year’s 68%. But in a league where the margins are razor thin, those small dips can swing games-especially when your defense isn’t holding up its end of the bargain.
Scoring Defense: A Leaky Unit
Speaking of the defense, this is where the Lions have taken one of their biggest steps back. Last season, they ranked seventh in the NFL in scoring defense, allowing just 20.1 points per game.
This season? That number’s ballooned to 24.9, dropping them all the way to 23rd.
That’s a four-point swing per game, and when your offense isn’t quite as explosive, that’s tough to overcome. Detroit used to outscore opponents by an average of 13 points. Now, that margin is down to just five.
The complementary football that made them so dangerous last year-offense, defense, special teams all working in sync-just hasn’t been there this time around.
Run Defense: No Longer a Wall
Last season, Detroit’s run defense was one of the best in the league, allowing just 103 rushing yards per game-sixth-best in the NFL. This year, they’ve slipped to 16th, giving up 114.9 per game.
And it’s not just the average-it’s the big games that have exposed them. The Steelers gashed them for 230 rushing yards in Week 16.
The Rams ran for 159 in Week 15. The Eagles, Vikings-same story.
Teams are staying committed to the run because the games are closer, and the Lions aren’t forcing opponents to abandon the ground game like they did in 2024.
When Detroit was blowing teams out, the run defense looked better because teams had to throw to catch up. Now that games are tighter, that weakness is getting exposed.
One-Score Games: The Tide Turns
Here’s where the regression really shows. Last season, the Lions were 7-2 in games decided by eight points or fewer.
This year? They’re 2-5.
That kind of swing can be the difference between a division title and watching the playoffs from home.
It’s not that the Lions are suddenly a bad team-they’re just not executing in the clutch the way they did before. Whether it’s missed tackles, stalled drives, or untimely turnovers, the margins have flipped against them.
What’s Next?
This isn’t a full-on collapse. The Lions haven’t fallen off a cliff-they’ve just come back to the pack a bit.
The NFL is a league of adjustments, and Detroit’s opponents have clearly made theirs. Between the coaching changes, injuries, and a tougher schedule, it’s been a perfect storm.
But the foundation is still there. If GM Brad Holmes gets aggressive again in the offseason, and if the team can get healthier, there’s every reason to believe Detroit will be right back in the playoff mix in 2026.
For now, though, the roar has quieted. And the Lions are left searching for the formula that made them one of the league’s most exciting teams not so long ago.