It’s going to be a massacre within the NFC North this season, identical to it was final yr. With how aggressive the division is, it appears possible that each one 4 groups will considerably cannibalize one another. On prime of that, they need to play the AFC North and NFC East.
The Lions need to then deal with a first-place schedule because of their 15 wins final yr. It possible gained’t take that many to win the division once more, but it surely gained’t be a cakewalk for a workforce that simply misplaced its Professional Bowl heart and noticed each its coordinators and a number of different assistants depart within the offseason.
That mentioned, that is nonetheless a wonderful roster with the expertise to beat anybody, so let’s have a look at how the 2025 season may go for Detroit.
Week 1: at Inexperienced Bay Packers, Sunday, Sept. 7
I don’t suppose it’s going to be all clean crusing for the Lions proper off the bat with the mass teaching exodus, however in opposition to a well-known opponent with a chip on their shoulder? They need to be simply high-quality at Lambeau.
Outcome: Win, 1-0 file
Week 2: vs. Chicago Bears, Sunday, Sept. 14
I instructed you it wouldn’t be clean crusing. The Lions play twice in opposition to one of many departed coordinators, and greatest imagine Ben Johnson has all of the motivation to beat his former workforce.
Outcome: Loss, 1-1
Amon-Ra St. Brown #14 of the Detroit Lions runs the ball up the sector in opposition to Tyrique Stevenson #29 of the Chicago Bears through the first half of a sport at Ford Area on November 28, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photograph by Mike Mulholland/Getty Photos)
Week 3: at Baltimore Ravens, Monday, Sept. 22
It is a toss-up, however I don’t see the Lions dropping back-to-back video games very simply. Whereas it’ll be a problem in Baltimore in opposition to Lamar Jackson, Detroit has the expertise to do it and may have Aidan Hutchinson again in his groove.
Outcome: Win, 2-1
Week 4: vs. Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Sept. 28
The Browns at house is about as favorable of a matchup because the Lions are going to get.
Outcome: Win, 3-1
Week 5: at Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 5
I believe the Bengals are going to be much more formidable than they have been final yr and that’s going to be bother for anybody they need to play. They gained’t win each sport, however they’ll inevitably beat some good groups. On this case, the Lions are considered one of them.
Outcome: Loss, 3-2
Week 6: at Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, Sunday, Oct . 12
The Lions are nonetheless a terrific workforce, in order that they’ll additionally beat some nice groups. They’re taking part in a first-place schedule for a motive and which means taking part in groups just like the Chiefs.
Outcome: Win, 4-2
Week 7: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Monday, Oct. 20
I’m undecided why the Bucs hold getting underestimated once they’ve gained their division the previous 4 years and have made official playoff runs. That being mentioned, the Lions have had the Bucs’ quantity previously, and so they’ll have it once more.
Outcome: Win, 5-2
Week 8: Bye
Week 9: vs. Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Nov. 2
I totally anticipate the Lions and Vikings to battle it out once more identical to they did final yr. This ought to be the time that J.J. McCarthy is beginning to spherical into type, however the identical will probably be true of the Lions’ protection. Coming off a bye week, too? I believe the Lions take this one.
Outcome: Win, 6-2
Week 10: at Washington Commanders, Sunday, Nov. 9
The Commanders made all of it the way in which to the NFC Championship Sport final yr and are not a shock workforce. They solely bought higher this offseason, too.
Outcome: Loss, 6-3
Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders scrambles with the ball as Brian Department #32 of the Detroit Lions dives to use strain through the third quarter within the NFC Divisional Playoff at Ford Area on January 18, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photograph by Nic Antaya/Getty Photos)
Week 11: at Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 16
I don’t see the Eagles having a Tremendous Bowl hangover this yr, no less than not one which means they’re nonetheless not wonderful within the common season. Philadelphia has among the finest offensive arsenals within the league that may stress each stage of Detroit’s protection. Its passing sport can take the highest off the secondary, which has been the Lions’ weak point previously.
Outcome: Loss, 6-4
Week 12: vs. New York Giants, Sunday, Nov. 23
Detroit will get to steadiness its first-place street video games with last-place groups at dwelling. The Giants ought to be a simple win for the Lions.
Outcome: Win, 7-4
Week 13: vs. Inexperienced Bay Packers, Thursday, Nov. 27
The NFC North is an almost unattainable division to foretell and appears like, no less than, a three-team race. That may imply a sweep for Detroit or a sequence cut up or the Lions may lose each instances to Inexperienced Bay. These groups play one another so shut and have finished so for the previous couple of years. This ought to be no completely different.
Outcome: Win, 8-4
Tim Patrick #17 of the Detroit Lions celebrates with Jared Goff #16 after scoring a landing through the sport in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers at Ford Area on December 5, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. The Lions beat the Packers 34-31. (Photograph by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Photos)
Week 14: vs. Dallas Cowboys, Thursday, Dec. 4
The Cowboys have added extra expertise offensively, but it surely shouldn’t be something the Lions can’t deal with, supplied they’re wholesome at this level of the season.
Outcome: Win, 9-4
Week 15: at Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Dec. 14
Crossing two time zones is all the time tough and I believe the Rams will probably be even higher this season than they have been final yr. They’ll possible with the NFC West once more, and this time extra convincingly. That might imply the Lions drop one to their former quarterback.
Outcome: Loss, 9-5
Week 16: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Dec. 21
The Steelers may very effectively have Mason Rudolph at quarterback if Aaron Rodgers doesn’t finally signal with them, so I can’t suppose they’re an actual risk to the Lions at this stage of the season.
Outcome: Win, 10-5
Week 17: at Minnesota Vikings, Thursday, Dec. 25
Keep in mind how I mentioned this division is a complete toss-up? It’s unlikely that the Lions will win each division sport they play. In truth, I’d wager it is unattainable. In the event that they’re going to drop one to the Vikings, it’ll be later within the yr when McCarthy has extra expertise.
Outcome: Loss, 10-6
Amik Robertson #21 of the Detroit Lions breaks up a move meant for Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings through the second quarter at Ford Area on January 05, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photograph by Mike Mulholland/Getty Photos)
Week 18: at Chicago Bears, TBD
It ought to all nonetheless finish on a excessive be aware for the Lions, who will possible be vying for the division title right down to the wire once more. I don’t suppose it’s going to take a 15-win season principally as a result of I don’t see 15 wins on any NFC North workforce’s schedule — not with them taking part in the AFC North and NFC East. Whoever wins the division can maybe do it with 11 victories, which is strictly the place I’ve the Lions.
Outcome: Win
Last file: 11-6
Carmen Vitali is an NFL Reporter for FOX Sports activities. Carmen had earlier stops with The Draft Community and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. She spent six seasons with the Bucs, together with 2020, which added the title of Tremendous Bowl Champion (and boat-parade participant) to her résumé. You may observe Carmen on Twitter at @CarmieV.
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