What Caused Detroit’s Rapid Regression in 2025?As Lions on Brink of Playoff Elimination:
The Detroit Lions’ stunning decline in the 2025 NFL season has put their playoff hopes in serious jeopardy.
After going a combined 27-7 and winning back-to-back NFC North titles, the Lions entered Week 17 at 8-7, fighting just to stay alive in the NFC wild-card race. For a team that recently looked like a Super Bowl contender, the regression has been swift and alarming.
So what happened? How did Detroit go from league darling to playoff long shot in one season?
Below is a breakdown of the key reasons behind the Lions’ 2025 regression.
Coaching Turnover and Roster Drain
The Lions endured major losses on the coaching staff during the 2025 offseason. Both offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn departed for head-coaching opportunities, creating a significant schematic reset.
Their replacements—John Morton on offense and Kelvin Sheppard on defense—have stabilized things, but Detroit did not add enough impact talent through free agency or the draft to offset the losses.
The lack of roster upgrades became glaring once injuries struck.
Injuries Exposed Lack of Depth
Detroit simply hasn’t had the depth to survive injuries to key contributors, including:
Sam LaPorta (TE)
Terrion Arnold (CB)
Brian Branch (S)
While only the Bears have had more total injuries, the Lions’ injuries hit core players, severely weakening both the passing game and pass defense. The “next man up” approach has not held, and it shows across the stat sheet.
Rushing Offense Took a Step Back
The Lions built their identity around a dominant run game, but that foundation has cracked.
2024: No. 6 rushing offense (146.4 yards per game)
2025: No. 12 rushing offense (123.4 yards per game)
That 23-yard drop has come in critical moments. Opponents have successfully neutralized Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, including:
Week 1 vs. Packers: 46 rushing yards
Week 15 vs. Rams: 70 rushing yards
Week 17 vs. Steelers: 15 rushing yards
Offensive line reshuffling and predictable tendencies have made Detroit easier to defend.
Third-Down Efficiency Fell Sharply
Third-down success has been another major factor in Detroit’s decline.
2024: 46.7% (No. 4 in NFL)
2025: 38.5% (No. 19)
Struggles on early downs—especially in the run game—have left the Lions facing longer third downs, stalling drives that once sustained momentum.
Defensive Regression Hurt Complementary Football
Detroit’s defense has not been able to match its previous standard.
Points allowed (2024): 20.1 per game (7th)
Points allowed (2025): 24.9 per game (23rd)
The Lions went from outscoring opponents by 13 points per game to just 5, putting far more pressure on an offense that is slightly less explosive.
Run Defense No Longer Dominant
The Lions’ run defense has also slipped noticeably.
2024: 103.0 rushing yards allowed (6th)
2025: 114.9 rushing yards allowed (16th)
Recent examples highlight the issue:
Steelers (Week 16): 230 rushing yards
Rams (Week 15): 159 rushing yards
Eagles (Week 11): 148 rushing yards
Vikings (Week 10): 142 rushing yards
Without early leads, opponents have stayed balanced and punished Detroit on the ground.
Close-Game Failures Changed the Narrative
Detroit thrived in tight games last season.
2024: 7-2 in one-possession games
2025: 2-5 in one-possession games
Execution has faltered in key moments, particularly against stronger competition. The margin for error has vanished.
Final Verdict: Regression, Not Collapse
The Lions haven’t completely fallen apart—they’ve simply drifted back toward the NFL’s crowded middle class.
Detroit still has a strong core and should re-enter playoff contention in 2026, but that rebound will require:
Better health
More aggressive roster building by Brad Holmes
Restoring dominance in the trenches
For now, the Lions’ once-roaring offense and defense are searching for answers as their playoff hopes hang by a thread.
