Detroit Lions supporters have had little to celebrate since the conclusion of Week 18. A disappointing late-season downturn pushed the Lions out of playoff contention for the first time since 2022, leaving fans with little incentive to follow the postseason beyond rooting for former Detroit players still alive in the hunt.
While the list of ex-Lions still competing is short, veteran cornerback Carlton Davis III stands out. Now 29, Davis recently played a pivotal role in the New England Patriots’ Divisional Round victory over the Houston Texans, putting him in position to compete for his second Super Bowl championship.
Carlton Davis III Emerging as a Key Piece of New England’s Playoff Push
Davis’ tenure in Detroit was brief, as he spent only the 2024 season with the Lions after arriving via trade following six years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His strong play in Detroit ultimately priced him out of the Lions’ plans, leading to a lucrative three-year, $60 million deal with the Patriots — a contract that appears increasingly justified.
Against Houston, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud found little success when targeting Davis. Pro Football Focus reports that Stroud threw eight passes in Davis’ direction, completing just three for 33 yards, all without any yards after the catch. The resulting passer rating of 10.9 underscored Davis’ dominance.
Davis’ stat line also included two pass breakups and a pair of interceptions, marking his first multi-PBU outing since Week 13. One interception in particular stood out, as the Miami native managed to secure the ball while somehow keeping both feet in bounds in a seemingly impossible situation.
However, the standout performance came with a scare. Davis exited the game in the second half due to a head injury and was later ruled out, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero. His status heading into the upcoming week remains uncertain. Even with the Denver Broncos expected to be without rookie quarterback Bo Nix, New England would clearly prefer to have one of its top cornerbacks available for the AFC Championship Game.
For Lions fans, Davis’ success may be bittersweet. Detroit’s secondary struggled throughout much of the 2025 season, and Davis’ presence could have stabilized a shaky defensive unit. Including postseason play, he has allowed 48 completions on 80 targets for 491 yards and four touchdowns, while holding quarterbacks to an 83.9 passer rating. He has also added 61 solo tackles, 12 pass deflections, and two interceptions.
Instead of helping Detroit chase its first championship, Davis now finds himself on the brink of adding another Lombardi Trophy to his résumé — and to the Patriots’ storied legacy. With Denver potentially short-handed and the NFC lacking a truly dominant force, the path to another Super Bowl appearance is very real. If everything breaks right, Davis could earn his second ring, nearly five years after winning his first with Tampa Bay.
Given how abruptly the Lions’ season unraveled, stories like Davis’ playoff run offer fans something positive to follow. Now, all eyes turn to his recovery and whether he can return in time to help New England finish the job.
