We can now put dates to teams on the Detroit Lions' schedule. After a schedule release night that revealed some spicy rivalry games off rip for Detroit as well as a grueling road schedule for a Lions squad that got close-ish to meeting their Super Bowl goals, it's time to really dive into these matchups and figure out what we can expect from Detroit's 2025 regular season.
This year, they face some stiffer competition from within their own division as every NFC North team has the potential to be great. Additionally, since the league is obviously on notice for how good the Lions are, we're getting a ton of primetime games and matchups with other Super Bowl contenders in the AFC and NFC.
Some have Detroit taking a slide from their 15-2 year in 2024. That's a fair assessment - this is, after all, one of the hardest schedules in the NFL. But, will they far as low as going 9-8 as Bleacher Report recently predicted them to do? It's doubtful.
Predicting results of each Lions game in 2025
Week 1: Lions @ Packers (1-0)
Immediately, we get a divisional bout between Detroit and Green Bay to open up the 2025 season. The Lions will be on the road, but if the teams' recent surge in ticket pricing tells us anything, it's that Lions fans will be hitting the road along with the team just to afford watching their squad play.
Now, the Lions and Packers both come in with relatively healthy defenses, and Detroit will likely be getting Aidan Hutchinson back for this Week 1 matchup. If Jared Goff can, on the flip side, dominate the Packers' secondary led by Xavier McKinney, Detroit can win behind him and an emphasis on their run game. This should be a victory for them.
Week 2: Lions v. Bears (2-0)
Yet another divisional rivalry here. It's the return of Ben Johnson to Ford Field as he now leads Caleb Williams and the Bears' offense. Detroit is going to be able to throw some new looks at Johnson as he tries to exploit his knowledge of this Lions roster to Chicago's benefit.
The Bears' new-look offensive line is going to get a real test in this game against Hutchinson, and if they can contain him, that's a great sign for Williams. But, Detroit's secondary - with the new addition of D.J. Reed - is already underrated headed into 2025. They'll managed to shut down the Bears' receiving corp of Rome Odunze and rookie Luther Burden III.
Week 3: Lions @ Ravens (2-1)
Here's where things will get tricky for the Lions. Baltimore is pretty much a lock to be one of three or four AFC teams to be contenders. Lamar Jackson arguably had an MVP caliber year in 2024, and he'll be entering this season with a chip on his shoulder as a result. The team also just extended backfield superthreat Derrick Henry, adding another wrinkle to Detroit's plans on defense.
Perhaps the only thing that can stop the Ravens is their wide receiving depth. It's always been a problem for them to surround Jackson with proper talent that matches his strengths, but maybe DeAndre Hopkins will be unlocked - again - in this Baltimore offense. Zay Flowers is also ever-reliable.
This is going to be a blast of a game, but it'll result in Detroit's first loss of the season.
Week 4: Lions v. Browns (3-1)
It feels like everyone's got a shot to beat the Browns this year. We still have no idea who their quarterback will be to start 2025, nor who it'll be by the time Detroit meets up with them back at Ford Field in Week 4. That should allow them to take full advantage of a shaky offense. Cleveland's defense is kind of always a problem with Myles Garrett in tow.
But, Detroit should be able to run it up pretty easily on them at home.
Week 5: Lions @ Bengals (4-1)
This is pretty contingent on the Bengals' re-signing, or not, of Trey Hendrickson. But, it just doesn't seem like Cincinnati did enough to shore up their defense this offseason. They added Shemar Stewart in the draft, but their secondary still needs work. Goff - and, again, totally contingent on Hendrickson's status - and the Lions' run offense should be able to keep pace with Joe Burrow.
Of course, the threat of Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins always exists. This is going to be a big test of the Lions' secondary and, specifically, of Reed and Arnold. But, Detroit should be able to get more stops than Cincinnati.
Week 6: Lions @ Chiefs (5-1)
Bold, sure. Realistic, yes. Detroit managed to shock the Chiefs back in 2023 by beating them in Week 1, stamping their name as a team to watch after defeating the Super Bowl champions. Kansas City did exactly what they had to this offseason for their offensive line, but still didn't upgrade at tight end because Travis Kelce is still around.
Detroit will have a bit of trouble on their hands if they can't contain the Chiefs' wide receivers Xavier Worthy, Rashee Rice, Hollywood Brown, newly drafted Jalen Royals, and others. However, thanks to a big performance from the Lions' D-line and pass rush, Detroit will manage to steal a win on the road against Patrick Mahomes and Co.
Week 7: Lions v. Buccaneers (6-1)
Detroit keeps their winning ways going against the Buccaneers, who are good - not great. Being back home will help the Lions in this one, and they should be able to keep Baker Mayfield on his toes in the pocket. They do have an excellent offensive lineman in Tristin Wirfs, but Hutchinson should be able to get to Mayfield a few times in this one.
Week 8: BYE
Week 9: Lions v. Vikings (7-1)
We're back to divisional matchups that make up sit up a bit in our seats, and this one is going to hinge entirely on how well rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy is performing during the season. If he's absolutely mowing teams down and fully leaning in to the teams' offense, then Detroit might have some trouble on its hands.
However, if he plays like a rookie against a defense like the Lions D, then this should be a victory on the Lions' calendar.
Week 10: Lions @ Commanders (7-2)
This will be a tough road game for Detroit, as it'll be outdoors in presumably cold weather. Jayden Daniels is going to just keep getting better after his outstanding rookie season, and this revenge game between the two teams is going to be a hard fought loss for Detroit. It just feels hard to imagine Goff locking in if the weather is not on the teams' side.
Week 11: Lions @ Eagles (7-3)
Speaking of weather, the NFL so kindly have the Lions traveling to Philadelphia after stopping in the Washington, D.C. area to face off with the Super Bowl champion Eagles. Again, a probable cold weather game outdoors against a gritty team like the Eagles just doesn't seem to bode well for Goff. It'd be amazing to see him overcome this narrative, but for now, we have to go with what we know about his play in these conditions.
Week 12: Lions v. Giants (8-3)
In a very welcome return home, the Lions will defeat the Giants with their defense. New York's defensive line and secondary are actually really strong headed into this season, so this might be a big ground game for Detroit. However, they'll be able to take advantage of the turnover-prone Russell Wilson (or Jameis Winston, or rookie Jaxson Dart) and stop them from gaining momentum.
Week 13: Lions v. Packers (8-4)
The Packers will punch back in this contest, stealing one at home from Detroit to stay afloat with them in the NFC North race. Green Bay's defense feels like what will win this one, as they'll be coming through Goff's reads a second time around. McKinney will probably be a problem for Detroit here.
This game will have a ton of buzz - Thanksgiving matchup, divisional rivalry, the works - but, the Lions will struggle to contain Jordan Love and the Packers' offense in this one.
Week 14: Lions v. Cowboys (9-4)
Dallas getting as many primetime games as they did for 2025 considering we still don't know if Dak Prescott will be ready to go Week 1 of the season is pretty hilarious. The Cowboys will continue to get this treatment from the NFL, but the Lions are going to be reliable and ruin that party. Dallas has some solid weapons now on offense in the form of CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, but the Lions have the better wide receiving duo of Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams to take the cake.
Detroit's offensive line will do a well enough job containing Micah Parsons, and they'll manage to dismantle Dallas' defense in this home game.
Week 15: Lions @ Rams (10-4)
Double digit wins will come in Week 15 against the Los Angeles Rams, who added Davante Adams to Matthew Stafford's arsenal this offseason. Stafford, a Lions legend, will manage to take advantage of Adams' skill set and keep up pace with Goff and the Lions' offense. But, Detroit will win the battle behind excellent performances from Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
Week 16: Lions v. Steelers (11-4)
A similar situation to the one unfolding in Cleveland, although a bit harder to digest, is the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025. They have no real quarterback set for the season, and they're reportedly waiting on Aaron Rodgers to make a decision on whether he wants to even return to football this season. If he doesn't, then this is going to be an easy home win for Detroit.
And, even if he does, let's face it: the Steelers down the stretch of seasons as of late have not exactly provided inspiration to their fans.
Week 17: Lions @ Vikings (12-4)
On Christmas, the Lions will avenge their Thanksgiving loss with a holiday treat for fans on the road. They're playing in a domed stadium in Minnesota, and that'll help Goff outduel rookie McCarthy in this contest. Minnesota has some spectacular playmakers on the roster in Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Aaron Jones, but Detroit will win out with quarterback experience and stability.
Week 18: Lions @ Bears (12-5)
The Lions will unfortunately end their season with a loss in 2025. Chicago plays at Soldier Field, an open-air stadium, during January. That's a recipe for disaster if you're keeping count of which games we've tabbed as losses for Goff based on weather as a factor alone.
Chicago will get its vengeance for losing at Ford Field, and Johnson will get the last laugh against Detroit in the regular season.
