DETROIT — The Detroit Lions, fresh off a dominant 15-2 regular season that secured them the top seed in the NFC last year, find themselves in unfamiliar territory this fall. After starting the 2025 campaign with a promising 5-2 record, the team has stumbled through a disappointing five-game stretch, dropping three contests and clinging to a .500 mark above water at 7-5. Their latest setback came on Thanksgiving Day, a 31-24 loss to the rival Green Bay Packers at Ford Field, marked by uncharacteristic sloppiness that has coach Dan Campbell openly expressing frustration.
The Lions' woes were on full display against the Packers, where penalties plagued both sides of the ball. The offense was flagged twice for illegal formation after lining up with only six players on the scrimmage line, while the defense drew a penalty for having 12 men on the field. A signature trick play from Campbell backfired spectacularly when quarterback Jared Goff dropped a long lateral pass from running back David Montgomery, turning a potential momentum shifter into a turnover. “As I told the team, this is frustrating,” Campbell said after the game. “It sucks to put ourselves into a hole like this, but we’ve done it. We’re the only ones who are going to get ourselves out of it.”
Despite the loss, Goff showed resilience under duress. The Packers' defense sacked him three times and hit him seven times, with 2½ sacks and four of those hits attributed to linebacker Micah Parsons — though Parsons, typically a Dallas Cowboys standout, appeared to be a point of confusion in post-game reports, possibly highlighting the Lions' broader pass protection issues. Goff started the game with three straight incompletions but rebounded to complete 20 of 26 passes for 256 yards and two touchdowns. He even scrambled for a 24-yard gain, his second-longest rush ever, breaking free from a collapsing pocket.
The Lions' ground game, which had exploded for a franchise-record 264 yards from running backs just four days prior in a nail-biting overtime win over the New York Giants, was stifled by Green Bay. Jahmyr Gibbs managed only 86 yards from scrimmage against the Packers, a sharp drop-off that underscored the team's vulnerability when the offensive line falters. That Giants victory, secured by a 59-yard field goal from kicker Jake Bates as time expired, now feels like a distant memory as Detroit grapples with mounting pressure in the NFC North standings.
At 7-5, the Lions trail the division-leading Chicago Bears by two games at 9-3 and sit 1½ games behind the Packers, who improved to 8-3-1 with the win. Detroit's 1-3 record within the NFC North leaves little margin for error if they hope to claim a third consecutive division title. Their remaining schedule is daunting: a home matchup against the Dallas Cowboys next Thursday night, followed by a 10-day rest before hosting Matthew Stafford and the NFC-best Los Angeles Rams. Then come back-to-back tests against the Pittsburgh Steelers at home and a Christmas Day road trip to Minnesota, where they've already dropped one game this season, before closing at Chicago.
“It’s simple,” Campbell emphasized in his post-game press conference. “We have to do our job. We’re also going to need some help, but it all starts with doing our job. We have to find a way to win the next game.” The coach's words reflect a team aware of the tightrope they're walking, especially with a compressed slate ahead — three home games in just 11 days, starting with the Giants win on Sunday, the Packers loss on Thursday, and the Cowboys looming.
Injuries have compounded the Lions' challenges. Top wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown left the Packers game in the first quarter with an ankle injury, and tight end Sam LaPorta has been sidelined by a back issue. Campbell indicated that St. Brown might miss one or two games but doesn't anticipate a prolonged absence. Without their primary targets, Goff leaned on unexpected contributors. Wideout Jameson Williams, known more for his deep-threat ability than volume receiving — he has yet to eclipse 60 catches in a season and averages under three per game over his four-year career — stepped up with seven receptions for 144 yards and a touchdown. However, Williams couldn't haul in a crucial fourth-down pass from Goff late in the contest, sealing Detroit's fate.
Defensively, safety Brian Branch drew criticism for appearing to give up on a key play that resulted in a touchdown pass from Packers quarterback Jordan Love. Branch was also beaten on the fourth-down completion that clinched the victory for Green Bay, raising questions about focus and execution in critical moments. The Lions' pass rush, meanwhile, struggled to disrupt Love, allowing the Packers to control the clock and exploit Detroit's miscues.
Amid the turmoil, a glimmer of hope emerged from an unlikely quarter: the potential return of retired center Frank Ragnow. Ragnow, who earned Pro Bowl nods in four of the last five seasons, stepped away last summer, leaving a void that the Lions have yet to fill adequately. Reports surfaced this week that Ragnow is reconsidering his decision, with the team announcing him as a candidate to reclaim the position. Goff, among several teammates who lobbied for his comeback, shared his excitement. “A few weeks ago, he reached out and said he was interested in playing again,” Goff said. “He’s got that itch again, and we’re excited.”
If Ragnow can prepare in time, his return could stabilize an offensive line that has left Goff under constant pressure. In the Giants game, Darius Alexander notched two sacks on the quarterback, and similar breakdowns persisted against Green Bay. Detroit's passing attack thrives on timing and rhythm, making clean pockets essential for Goff's success.
The Lions' slide from early-season promise to midseason mediocrity has sparked discussions about their playoff prospects. Last year's 15-2 romp feels worlds away, but Campbell remains steadfast in his belief that his squad can rally. With the Cowboys — featuring Parsons, who ironically was highlighted in the Lions' defensive struggles despite not playing — visiting Ford Field in a primetime clash, Detroit faces an immediate test of character.
Broader implications loom large for the NFC North race. The Bears' surge to 9-3 has put pressure on all contenders, while the Packers' tie included in their record adds a layer of complexity to tiebreaker scenarios. For the Lions, avoiding further slip-ups in divisional play is paramount; another loss to Minnesota or Chicago could dash their title hopes. As the holiday schedule intensifies, all eyes will be on whether Campbell's gritty, no-excuses mentality can reignite a team that once seemed unstoppable.
Off the field, the Lions' front office is reportedly prioritizing Ragnow's integration, viewing it as the biggest potential move in the coming week. His veteran presence could transform the line, providing the protection needed to unleash Gibbs and the passing game. Meanwhile, Williams' emergence offers optimism that the receiving corps can adapt to injuries, though St. Brown's quick return would be a boon.
In a league where momentum swings quickly, the Lions' path forward hinges on execution and a bit of fortune. With 10 days off after the Cowboys game to regroup before the Rams visit, Detroit has a window to reset. Campbell's message is clear: the hole they've dug is self-inflicted, and only they can climb out. As the season hurtles toward its climax, the Lions' resilience will be tested like never before.