The Lions probably lost the NFC North title. Is their chance at the Super Bowl slipping away too soon?

By Charles Robinson, Senior Reporter | Fri, November 28, 2025 at 1:54 AM GMT+2 | 6 min read

Just under two years ago, the Detroit Lions seemed poised for a long Super Bowl run. In the 2023 season, the franchise surged to the NFC title game against the San Francisco 49ers, riding momentum it hadnt seen in decades. Quarterback Jared Goff was entering his prime, while the offensive line, anchored by Penei Sewell and Frank Ragnow, ranked among the NFLs best. Draft picks like Aidan Hutchinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta, and Jack Campbell were emerging as key contributors, and the team culture was widely praised.

The NFC North looked set for Detroit dominance. The Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings lacked long-term quarterback solutions, and while Green Bay had Jordan Love, he had only shown flashes of high-level play. The Lions seemed positioned to stay ahead, at least for several years.

Fast forward to now, and the landscape has changed dramatically. The Green Bay Packers have surged, sweeping Detroit 2-0 this season, including a 31-24 Thanksgiving Day victory, shifting the divisions balance of power. The Packers now have a clear path to chase the 8-3 Bears, who are just half a game ahead, with two more matchups remaining in the season.

Detroit fans are facing a double setback: Green Bays rapid rise with Love at quarterback, and the Bears resurgence under former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, whose absence is being strongly felt.

The Lions now face serious questions. How will they respond to a division that has progressed since 2023? The Bears have stabilized with a solid quarterback and head coach. The Packers have strengthened on both sides of the ball, and the Vikings may soon solve their quarterback situation. The path to long-term NFC North control for Detroit now appears blocked.

Concerns also extend to the Super Bowl window. While the Lions young core remains under long-term contracts and has growth potential, the offense has lost some of its consistency and creativity since Johnsons departure. The defense has shown troubling lapses, surrendering 31 points to the Packers despite being mostly healthy, with limited pressure and zero sacks.

Looking back, Detroits trajectory has been volatile. After reaching the NFC title game in 2023, the 2024 season ended in disappointment despite a 15-2 record, with a shocking playoff loss to the Washington Commanders. Now, at 7-5, the Lions are fighting not for a division crown or a Super Bowl berth, but simply to secure a wild-card spot in the final stretch.

Several factors contribute to this downturn. Johnsons exit left a gap in play-calling that John Morton struggled to fill, particularly in integrating Jameson Williams and David Montgomery. Head coach Dan Campbells takeover of play-calling has also produced questionable decisions, including a late-clock mismanagement against the Packers.

Despite these setbacks, the offense showed resilience, scoring 24 points without All-Pro wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown and missing tight ends LaPorta and Brock Wright, as well as starting backups at center and left guard. The defensive issues, however, remain pronounced, with inconsistent pass rush and secondary breakdowns, including struggles from D.J. Reed.

Moving forward, Campbells focus will be on incremental improvementsadjusting players, plays, and decisionsto stabilize the team. Yet the schedule poses immediate challenges, with upcoming games against the surging Dallas Cowboys, the top-seeded Los Angeles Rams, and the playoff-contending Pittsburgh Steelers. These matchups will likely determine the Lions playoff fate.

As Campbell stated after the Packers loss: We dug ourselves a little bit of a hole. Thats the bottom line. We are in a little bit of a hole. But thats just what it is. Theres nothing more than that.

The coming weeks will reveal whether Detroits 2025 struggles are a temporary setback or signal a more significant shift in the teams trajectory.

Analysis: Detroit Lions' Shifting Trajectory in NFC North

The Detroit Lions, once on the brink of dominance in the NFC North, now face an uncertain future as they grapple with the rapid improvements of their division rivals. Just two years ago, the Lions were poised for a long Super Bowl run, but now, after a disappointing season, they find themselves in a tough spot. The Green Bay Packers, led by a rising Jordan Love, have surged, sweeping the Lions this season and shifting the balance of power within the division. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears, under the leadership of former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, have also stabilized, making Detroit’s once-clear path to NFC North dominance seem much more complicated.

The Lions’ challenges are multifaceted. The absence of Ben Johnson has left a noticeable gap in the team's offensive play-calling, leading to inconsistencies and a lack of creativity. Despite an impressive young core and solid long-term contracts, Detroit’s offense has struggled to find its rhythm, especially in the absence of key players like Amon-Ra St. Brown and the tight ends. Additionally, the defense has shown troubling lapses, including a lack of pressure on opposing quarterbacks and issues in the secondary. The loss to the Packers, in which Detroit gave up 31 points without significant defensive resistance, highlighted these vulnerabilities.

As the season progresses, the Lions must make significant adjustments to stay in the playoff hunt. Coach Dan Campbell's decision to take over play-calling has been met with mixed results, and his questionable late-game decisions, such as the clock mismanagement against Green Bay, have only added to the pressure. With a challenging schedule ahead, including matchups with the Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Rams, and Pittsburgh Steelers, the Lions’ ability to bounce back will be critical. These games may well determine whether their playoff hopes are realized or if the 2025 season will go down as a missed opportunity.

Looking ahead, the Lions' trajectory remains in flux. While the core of young talent, such as Jared Goff, Penei Sewell, and Aidan Hutchinson, offers hope for the future, the team must address its current weaknesses to secure a playoff spot and potentially stay in the Super Bowl conversation. Detroit fans are left wondering whether their team's struggles are merely a temporary setback or if the balance of power in the NFC North has permanently shifted.

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• Lions likely just lost the NFC North crown. Is their Super Bowl window already going with it?