He's phenomenal as a pass-rusher but needs to be coached up in the "setting-the-edge" department. I believe (from the scouting reports). Or maybe he just needs to add 10 pounds of muscle. Nearly (1/8" off) 6'4", 255 pounds (add 10 for 265)...

I think a Maxx Crosby 2.0 may be even beyond our expectations... Or does anyone else want to drink this koolaid?

The thought popped up in my head this morning... So what does everyone else think?

I'm going to pop this thread up to the top... every now and then... based on Derrick's career ups and downs...

Round 1 - Jahmyr Gibbs -  A+.    Raised a lot of eyebrows at the time, didn't it?  

Round 1 - Jack Campbell - A+   Yeah, it took a little longer to come together, but he's their Chris Spielman.

Round 2 - Sam LaPorta -  A+   Dude's a game-changer.   Could  not have predicted the injury

Round 2 - Brian Branch - A+  A game-changer from his very first game.   Again, can't count injuries against them

Round 3-  Hendon Hooker - F.   It was a very puzzling pick.  I understand wanting to take the next QB, but he was never going to be the next QB and they couldn't use him. 

Round 3 - Brodric Martin - F.   He played in only 6 games and did not make an imipact

Round 5 - Colby Sorsdal  - OL    D    At least they got a little use out of him.  He was a 5th rounder, after all

Round 7 - Antoine Green - F.    Even for a 7th rounder - a 1-catch for 2 yard career isn't much

I give this an A-.     The Top Half was absolutely an A+.   Four players that could be major pieces for a Super Bowl run.    Those four picks were so strong that the failure of round 3 still keeps it in the A range for me.  But that 3rd round, yikes.  Get average 3rd round performances out of those two picks and maybe they actully would have won a Super Bowl.  Depth players that could have come in handy in these last two injury-littered seasons.     Injuries have derailed a couple of those A+ guys, hopefully only temporarily.   

What do you think our needs are for this coming offseason? What positions and players are on your draft radar?

My question is this.............What if Tim Boyle plays well.    Not talking a dominate performance, but you SEE the difference in the offense moving the ball and the ability to throw downfield.     If Goff then declares he's well enough to play on Thanksgiving Day, do they automatically go back to him?  

1. Kicking team can declare for an onsides kick at any point, not just in the 4th qtr. - I really don't care one way or the other on this. While I do like the new kick off rules in general I do miss the "surprise" onsides kick potential. This rule doesn't bring back the surprise, so... whatever.

2. Remove the incentive to kick out of bounds when kicking from the 50. - If you'll recall the Lions did this once last year. If I remember the details of this: If there's a penalty that gets enforced on the kickoff, that changes where the ball is placed if the kick goes out of bounds. I think it's goes to like the 20 instead of the 40. This makes sense to me as I don't think the intention of the rule was to allow this.

3. Expansion of Replay/Ejections. Basically league personal can consult with on field refs regarding ejecting players WITHOUT the refs needing to flag the play. Right now if the refs miss an obvious flagrant or non-football act and don't flag it, replay can't come back and tell the refs they should look at something and consider an ejections. This would fix that and I think it's a good rule change.

4. Replacement Referee Contingency. This is apparently just being proposed for one year, but it would allow the NFL officiating department to overrule "clear and obvious" bad calls if a work stoppage involving the NFL Ref. Association occurs. Anyone else remember "Replacement Refs"? Ugh...

5. Changes to receiving team alignment during kicks. I think this is to reduce the minimum number of players who need to be on the restraint line.

All in all I don't see anything too earth shattering here.

Setting: 12/21/2025 4:25pm on CBS

Site: Ford Field in Detroit, MI

Weather: Climate Controlled

Opening Spread: Lions -7

All-Time Series Record: Steelers lead, 17-14-2

Last Meeting: 11/14/2021, Tied 16-16

Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6)

Head Coach: Mike Tomlin (19th Season: 191-113-2)

Projected Starting QB: Aaron Rodgers (21st Season: 161-92-1)

Last Week: 28-15 W vs. Miami Dolphins (6-8)

Looking Ahead to Week #17: Sunday @ Cleveland Browns (3-11)

Your Detroit Lions (8-6)

Head Coach: Dan Campbell (5th Season: 47-34-1)

Projected Starting QB: Jared Goff (10th Season: 89-58-1)

Last Game: 41-34 L @ Los Angeles Rams (11-3)

Looking Ahead to Week #17: Christmas Day (Thursday) @ Minnesota Vikings (6-8)

Elsewhere in the NFL

Primetime: Rams @ Seahawks (TNF), Patriots @ Ravens (SNF), 49ers @ Colts (MNF)

Saturday: Eagles @ Commanders (5:00pm), Packers @ Bears (8:20pm)

1:00pm: Bills @ Browns, Chargers @ Cowboys, Chiefs @ Titans, Bengals @ Dolphins, Jets @ Saints, Vikings @ Giants, Buccaneers @ Panthers

4:05/4:25pm: Jaguars @ Broncos, Falcons @ Cardinals, Raiders @ Texans

I saw Mike McDaniels was just fired by the Dolphins. If I remember correctly, he was considered one of the most brilliant offensive minds in football which is why he was hired........... Take a shot on him?

Who do you guys think would be a good OC for the Lions?

Isn't he kind of like Jeff Fisher?   He's just there.   The very definition of a re-tread? 

I mean, he wouldn't be bad, but does he inspire any excitement? 

Setting: 01/04/2026 4:25pm EST on FOX

Site: Soldier Field in Chicago, IL

Weather: 35° High / 28° Low, 8% chance of rain/snow, 10mph wind

Opening Spread: Bears -2.5

All-Time Series Record: Bears lead, 105-81-5

Last Meeting: 09/14/2025, Lions won 52-21

Chicago Bears (11-5)

Head Coach: Ben Johnson (1st Season: 11-5)

Projected Starting QB: Caleb Williams (2nd Season: 16-17)

Last Game: 42-38 L @ San Francisco 49ers (12-4)

Your Detroit Lions (8-8)

Head Coach: Dan Campbell (5th Season: 47-36-1)

Projected Starting QB: Jared Goff (10th Season: 89-60-1)

Last Game: 23-10 L @ Minnesota Vikings (8-8)

Elsewhere in the NFL

Saturday: Panthers @ Buccaneers (4:30pm), Seahawks @ 49ers (8pm)

Primetime: Ravens @ Steelers (SNF)

1:00pm: Browns @ Bengals, Packers @ Vikings, Colts @ Texans, Cowboys @ Giants, Saints @ Falcons, Titans @ Jaguars

4:25pm: Chargers @ Broncos, Chiefs @ Raiders, Commanders @ Eagles, Jets @ Bills, Dolphins @ Patriots, Cardinals @ Rams

MotownForums burying the 2025-2026 Detroit Lions season. (2025, colorized).

1. Who would you like to see win it? 

2. Which team out of all of them do you NOT want to see win it? 

3. Who do you  think will be in the Super Bowl? 

4. Who will win the Super Bowl? 

Some fresh blood in the playoffs this year.   Jacksonville is a great story.  A redemption, of sorts, for Trevor Lawrence.  I am sure if they won the whole thing we'd get a better DUVALL from Liam Coen than we did in his press conference.    The fresh blood in the AFC might ber stifled by Buffalo and Baltimore - showing that playoff experience out does W/L records.      

In the NFC Ben Johnson certainly is the story for the coaches.  Amazing turnaround.  We lost a real gem there.  But it would be so painful to see Stafford win in his first year after the Lions and then Ben win in his first year after the Lions.   I don't think the Bears will.  11 or 12 win teams are not frauds, but they did benefit from a weak schedule, and keep in mind that last year the Bears were a better team than their record.  They Eberflused several games.   Philly's obnoxious.  Seattle is the team tucked way up in the corner of the country that nobody seems to talk about.   That works in their favor.   And Carolina is a cute little story - but a reason that the Lions were right to try and change playoff seeding.  It's ridiculous that a 12 win team from the West has to go on the road to Carolina or Tampa to play an possible 8-9 team.  

 I'll Go First

1. Buffalo.  As a long-suffering Lions fan, I feel their pain.   I would love to see that city exorcise it's Super Bowl demons

2. Rams. I just don't want to see Stafford win 2.  That would rip me up.  2b. Chargers.  Because Jim Harbaugh is a dirty rotten sociopath and the ****ing Chargers belong in San Diego so we can hear that great disco Superchargers song again.  Put Chicago, Philly and Green Bay near the top.  Yep, good ol' spite

3. Buffalo vs. San Francisco.    No more Mahomes to get in the way and San Francisco's return to form would give me hope that the Lions could see a similar path soon. 

The least-likely would be Carolina vs. Houston.  

4.  Buffalo 41, San Francisco 35.     I think long playoff experience comes in handy for both coaches.   

Setting: 12/25/2025 4:30pm on CBS (locally) & Netflix

Site: US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN

Weather: Climate Controlled

Opening Spread: Lions -5.5

All-Time Series Record: Vikings lead, 81-45-2

Last Meeting: 11/02/2025, Vikings won 27-24

Minnesota Vikings (7-8)

Head Coach: Kevin O'Connell (4th Season: 41-25)

Projected Starting QB: JJ McCarthy (2nd Season: 5-4) or Max Brosmer (1st Season: 0-1)

Last Week: 16-13 W @ New York Giants (2-13)

Looking Ahead to Week #18: TBD vs. Green Bay Packers (9-5-1)

Your Detroit Lions (8-7)

Head Coach: Dan Campbell (5th Season: 47-35-1)

Projected Starting QB: Jared Goff (10th Season: 89-59-1)

Last Game: 29-24 L vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6)

Looking Ahead to Week #18: TBD @ Chicago Bears (11-4)

Elsewhere in the NFL

Christmas Day: Cowboys @ Commanders (1:00pm), Broncos @ Chiefs (8:15pm)

Saturday: Texans @ Chargers (4:30pm), Ravens @ Packers (8:00pm)

Primetime: Bears @ 49ers (SNF), Rams @ Falcons (MNF)

1:00pm: Cardinals @ Bengals, Steelers @ Browns, Saints @ Titans, Jaguars @ Colts, Buccaneers @ Dolphins, Patriots @ Jets, Seahawks @ Panthers

4:05/4:25pm: Giants @ Raiders, Eagles @ Bills

General Detroit Lions topics outside of the game threads...

First topic: After they set the 53... I'm going to guess subsequent practice squad:

Starting with Hendon Hooker. I'm going to guess here that they try to keep him, on the practice squad... although DC might just be ready to move on (from his comments...). So this is maybe even less than 50/50. More like 25/75.

But guys I think they will DEFINITELY try to keep by putting them on the PS:

Deon Jackson, RB

Jackson Meeks, WR

Tom Kennedy, WR

Kingsley Eguakun (I think he doesn't make the 53 but they want to keep him in the Org...)

Mitchell Agude, Edge

Nate Lynn, Edge

Anthony Pittman, LB

Nick Whiteside, CB

Erick Hallett, DB

Ian Kennelly, S

Morice Norris, S

I think the team actually LIKES a lot of these guys that they are releasing... they're releasing them early to try and slip them through the cracks... IMO.

But...

We'll see.

Setting: 12/14/2025 4:25pm on FOX

Site: SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA 

Weather: Climate Controlled

Opening Spread: Rams -4.5

All-Time Series Record: Rams lead, 45-43-1

Last Meeting: 09/08/2024, Lions won 26-20 in OT

Los Angeles Rams (10-3)

Head Coach: Sean McVay (9th Season: 90-55)

Projected Starting QB: John Matthew Stafford (17th Season: 118-116-1)

Last Week: 45-17 W @ Arizona Cardinals (3-10)

Looking Ahead to Week #16: Thursday Night @ Seattle Seahawks (10-3)

Your Detroit Lions (8-5)

Head Coach: Dan Campbell (5th Season: 47-33-1)

Projected Starting QB: Jared Goff (10th Season: 89-57-1)

Last Game: 44-30 W vs. Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1)

Looking Ahead to Week #16: Sunday vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6)

Elsewhere in the NFL

Primetime: Falcons @ Buccaneers (TNF), Vikings @ Cowboys (SNF), Dolphins @ Steelers (MNF)

1:00pm: Ravens @ Bengals, Browns @ Bears, Chargers @ Chiefs, Bills @ Patriots, Commanders @ Giants, Raiders @ Eagles, Jets @ Jaguars, Cardinals @ Texans

4:05/4:25pm: Panthers @ Saints, Packers @ Broncos, Titans @ 49ers, Colts @ Seahawks

Setting: 12/04/2025 8:15pm on Prime

Site: Ford Field in Detroit, MI

Weather: Climate Controlled

Opening Spread: Lions -3.5

All-Time Series Record: Cowboys lead, 19-13

Last Meeting: 10/13/2024, Lions won 47-9

Green Bay Packers (6-5-1)

Head Coach: Brian Schottenheimer (1st Season: 6-5-1)

Projected Starting QB: Dak Prescott (10th Season: 79-49-1)

Last Week: 31-28 W vs. Kansas City Chiefs (6-6)

Looking Ahead to Week #15: Sunday Night vs. Minnesota Vikings (4-7)

Your Detroit Lions (7-5)

Head Coach: Dan Campbell (5th Season: 46-33-1)

Projected Starting QB: Jared Goff (10th Season: 88-57-1)

Last Game: 31-24 L vs. Green Bay Packers (8-3-1)

Looking Ahead to Week #15: Sunday @ Los Angeles Rams (9-2)

Elsewhere in the NFL

Primetime: Texans @ Chiefs (SNF), Eagles @ Chargers (MNF)

1:00pm: Seahawks @ Falcons, Steelers @ Ravens, Titans @ Browns, Colts @ Jaguars, Commanders @ Vikings, Dolphins @ Jets, Saints @ Buccaneers, Bengals @ Bills

4:05/4:25pm: Broncos @ Raiders, Bears @ Packers, Rams @ Cardinals

BYE: Panthers, Patriots, Giants, and 49ers

Setting: 11/27/2025 1:00pm on FOX

Site: Ford Field in Detroit, MI

Weather: Climate Controlled

Opening Spread: Lions -3

All-Time Series Record: Packers lead, 107-78-7

Last Meeting: 09/07/2025, Packers won 27-13

Green Bay Packers (7-3-1)

Head Coach: Matt LaFleur (7th Season: 74-36-1)

Projected Starting QB: Jordan Love (6th Season: 25-18-1)

Last Week: 23-6 W vs. Minnesota Vikings (4-7)

Looking Ahead to Week #14: Sunday vs. Chicago Bears (8-3)

Your Detroit Lions (7-4)

Head Coach: Dan Campbell (5th Season: 46-32-1)

Projected Starting QB: Jared Goff (10th Season: 88-56-1)

Last Game: 34-27 W in OT vs. New York Giants (2-10)

Looking Ahead to Week #14: Thursday Night vs. Dallas Cowboys (5-5-1)

Elsewhere in the NFL

Thanksgiving: Chiefs @ Cowboys (4:30pm on CBS), Bengals @ Ravens (8:30pm on NBC)

Black Friday: Bears @ Eagles (3:00pm on Prime)

Primetime: Broncos @ Commanders (SNF), Giants @ Patriots (MNF)

1:00pm: Rams @ Panthers, 49ers @ Browns, Texans @ Colts, Saints @ Dolphins, Falcons @ Jets, Cardinals @ Buccaneers, Jaguars @ Titans

4:05/4:25pm: Raiders @ Chargers, Vikings @ Seahawks, Bills @ Steelers

Setting: 11/23/2025 1:00pm on FOX

Site: Ford Field in Detroit, MI

Weather: Climate Controlled

Opening Spread: Lions -10.5

All-Time Series Record: Lions lead, 25-21-1

Last Meeting: 11/20/2022, Lions won 31-18

New York Giants (2-9)

Interim Head Coach: Mike Kafka (1st Season: 0-1)

Projected Starting QB: Jaxson Dart (1st Season: 2-5) or Jameis Winston (11th Season: 36-52)

Last Week: 27-20 L vs. Green Bay Packers (6-3-1)

Looking Ahead to Week #13: Monday Night @ New England Patriots (9-2)

Your Detroit Lions (6-4)

Head Coach: Dan Campbell (5th Season: 45-32-1)

Projected Starting QB: Jared Goff (10th Season: 87-56-1)

Last Game: 16-9 L @ Philadelphia Eagles (8-2)

Looking Ahead to Week #13: Thanksgiving vs. Green Bay Packers (6-3-1)

Setting: 11/16/2025 8:20pm on NBC

Site: Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA

Weather: 62° High, 41° Low, 20% chance of rain, 13mph Wind

Opening Spread: Eagles -1.5

All-Time Series Record: Eagles lead, 18-16-2

Last Meeting: 09/11/2022, Eagles won 38-35

Philadelphia Eagles (7-2)

Head Coach: Nick Sirianni (5th Season: 55-22)

Projected Starting QB: Jalen Hurts (6th Season: 50-21)

Last Week: 10-7 W @ Green Bay Packers (5-3-1)

Looking Ahead to Week #12: Sunday @ Dallas Cowboys (3-5-1)

Your Detroit Lions (6-3)

Head Coach: Dan Campbell (5th Season: 45-31-1)

Projected Starting QB: Jared Goff (10th Season: 87-55-1)

Last Game: 44-22 W @ Washington Commanders (3-7)

Looking Ahead to Week #12: Sunday vs. New York Giants (2-8)

Elsewhere in the NFL

Primetime: Jets @ Patriots (TNF), Cowboys @ Raiders (MNF)

9:30am: Commanders @ Dolphins (in Madrid, Spain)

1:00pm: Panthers @ Falcons, Bears @ Vikings, Buccaneers @ Bills, Packers @ Giants, Chargers @ Jaguars, Bengals @ Steelers, Texans @ Titans

4:05/4:25pm: 49ers @ Cardinals, Seahawks @ Rams, Ravens @ Browns, Chiefs @ Broncos

BYE: Colts and Saints

Far too often, our Detroit Lions have been the victim of NFL officiating, convoluted rules, and bad calls being made by the officiating crew. Sunday night's call of illegal motion against Jared Goff occurred a full 1:07 after the TD signaled on the field and after the officials had already huddled once, determined there was no penalty, and then spotted the ball for the PAT. Only after they were buzzed down from upstairs/New York, which to my knowledge I didn't think an illegal motion call could be reviewed from upstairs or called in from New York, was a flag thrown. This officiating blunder and errant rule enforcement was one in along line of bad judgement by the referees, questionable calls, and enforcement of rules you have never heard of before that specifically went against our Lions.

So with that, I wanted to make a thread about the NFL rulebook and NFL officiating. I am hoping to kickstart more conversation about the rules, the officiating, what needs to change, how things need to be reformed, etc.

I'm going to start. I think the NFL needs a ref clock, much like a play clock the players have to abide by. The referees need to have a certain amount of time to make a call and throw a flag if they miss it in real time. The refs have 30 seconds, from the time the play was blown dead, to make a decision to throw a flag. For there to be over a full minute of time gone by before they decided to throw the flag is absolutely ridiculous and should not have happened.

Setting: 11/09/2025 4:25pm on FOX

Site: Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD

Weather: 63° High, 39° Low, 24% chance of rain, 10mph Wind

Opening Spread: Lions -8.5

All-Time Series Record: Commanders lead, 32-16

Last Meeting: 01/18/2025, Commanders won 45-31 (2025 NFC Divisional Round)

Washington Commanders (3-6)

Head Coach: Dan Quinn (7th Season: 57-53)

Projected Starting QB: Marcus Mariota (11th Season: 35-42)

Last Week: 38-14 L vs. Seattle Seahawks (6-2)

Looking Ahead to Week #11: Sunday @ Miami Dolphins (2-7) in Madrid, Spain

Your Detroit Lions (5-3)

Head Coach: Dan Campbell (5th Season: 44-31-1)

Projected Starting QB: Jared Goff (10th Season: 86-55-1)

Last Game: 27-24 L vs. Minnesota Vikings (4-4)

Looking Ahead to Week #11: Sunday Night @ Philadelphia Eagles (6-2)

Elsewhere in the NFL

Primetime: Raiders @ Broncos (TNF), Steelers @ Chargers (SNF), Eagles @ Packers (MNF)

9:30am: Falcons @ Colts (in Berlin, Germany)

1:00pm: Saints @ Panthers, Giants @ Bears, Jaguars @ Texans, Ravens @ Vikings, Bills @ Dolphins, Browns @ Jets, Patriots @ Buccaneers

4:05/4:25pm: Cardinals @ Seahawks, Rams @ 49ers

BYE: Bengals, Cowboys, Chiefs, and Titans