After Detroit’s crushing defeat against the Los Angeles Rams, the Lions’ postseason outlook appeared straightforward: win every remaining game. While there were mathematical paths that allowed for a loss or two, they relied heavily on the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers stumbling—an outcome that didn’t seem especially likely. As a result, Detroit’s clearest route was simply controlling its own destiny. Ironically, the help they needed did arrive, but the Lions failed to capitalize.
Both the Bears and Packers dropped games they were expected to win, creating unexpected opportunities for Detroit. The Lions owned the tiebreaker over Chicago thanks to their early-season victory, meaning a Week 18 win could have secured a playoff spot while potentially eliminating the Bears, now led by Ben Johnson.
Even when Chicago pulled off a win, Detroit’s odds didn’t collapse entirely; they just required more outside assistance. That help continued when Green Bay fell to a Baltimore Ravens team led by Tyler Huntley, who had already benefited Detroit earlier in the season by defeating the Bears. Chicago also lost a nail-biter to the San Francisco 49ers at the buzzer, further opening the door.
If Detroit had taken care of business against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings, Week 18 would have set up a winner-take-all matchup with Chicago for the NFC North crown. Even a loss in that scenario might have been survivable with a Packers defeat. Instead, the Lions lost both games, eliminating themselves from contention and leaving only pride at stake in the season finale.
The collapse began against the Rams. Detroit entered halftime with a 24–17 lead, with Jared Goff playing efficiently and the offense firing on all cylinders. However, the familiar struggles of the third quarter resurfaced, swinging momentum dramatically.
Los Angeles surged ahead, forcing Detroit into catch-up mode, and a late Rams touchdown drive extinguished any realistic hope of a comeback. From that point forward, Detroit’s playoff chances plummeted.
Hoping to rebound, the Lions faced the Steelers with confidence rooted in a long streak of avoiding consecutive losses.
That streak ended abruptly. Detroit’s offensive line struggles continued, the rushing attack disappeared, and Pittsburgh dominated on the ground with over 200 rushing yards. Late touchdowns by Jaylen Warren sealed the outcome, and while Detroit had opportunities to retake the game, penalties once again sabotaged their efforts.
The unraveling continued on Christmas Day against Minnesota. Despite a stellar defensive performance that limited quarterback Max Brosmer to minimal passing production and produced seven sacks, the Lions’ offense imploded.
Jared Goff accounted for five turnovers, and Jahmyr Gibbs added another, handing the Vikings six extra possessions. In a game Detroit could have won comfortably, their own mistakes proved decisive.
Now, Detroit enters the offseason without a playoff appearance for the first time since 2022.
Unlike that earlier team, which surged late but fell short due to circumstances beyond its control, this version of the Lions was repeatedly handed opportunities and failed to seize them. This time, there are no excuses. The responsibility for missing the postseason rests squarely on their own shoulders.
