Detroit Lions: 2025

[Mr.TaterSalad]

Once again, my belief the division winners shouldn't get automatic playoff births is rearing the ugly side of its head. This time it could have a major negative impact on The Lions. After Tampa lost to Atlanta yesterday, there is a real chance that the winner of the NFC South has a losing record. However, that team will still get a playoff spot. This is BS!

There's a real shot that an 8-9 Buccaneers or Panthers team makes it in, while an 11-6 or 12-5 Lions team (or someone else) is left out. Just because you win a garbage ass division, by getting to play a bunch of bad teams twice on your schedule, doesn't mean you should get an automatic playoff birth.

It's pathetic that the NFC South gets a team in, while a team with a winning record playing in one of the clearly superior NFC North and NFC West divisions,  might not get in. Overall record should matter more than winning a crappy division. I'll never change my mind on this. 

Edited Friday at 08:38 AM by Mr.TaterSalad

[MichiganCardinal]

 

Have to assume his season is done.

[Tigeraholic1]

34 minutes ago, MichiganCardinal said:

 

Have to assume his season is done.

I am thinking his career might be done.....

[MichiganCardinal]

4 minutes ago, Tigeraholic1 said:

I am thinking his career might be done.....

I wouldn't go that far yet. He's been pushing his knee for two months trying to get back on the field. He might feel a lot better, even if not 100%, if he just shuts it down completely for six months. And that's not even considering the possibility of medical interventions during that time.

[Shinzaki]

I think we need to draft a safety

[Jason_R]

I read speculation somewhere that his injury may make him a candidate for micro fracture surgery.

Edit: here is the speculation: 

 

Edited Friday at 09:01 PM by Jason_R

[Jason_R]

17 minutes ago, Shinzaki said:

I think we need to draft a safety

And sign one. 

[MichiganCardinal]

2 minutes ago, Jason_R said:

And sign one. 

Yeah, drafting a safety would be a move for 2027, not 2026. First step will need to be extending Amik. Arnold and Reed on the outside with Amik at the slot is a good start.

If you're concerned you will be without both Branch and Kerby for some, most, or all of 2026, you need to sign someone like Kyle Duggar (PIT), Jalen Thompson (ARI), or Andre Cisco (NYJ). Maybe Reed Blankenship (PHI) could be considered too. Draft reinforcements will likely come too little, too late.

If they have confidence in Branch's recovery though, I wouldn't be surprised if all they do is take a mid- to late-round flyer. They won't give out a three-year deal for someone to ride the bench after half a season.

[lordstanley]

The assumption (hope) going into this season was that the healthy defense would improve over 2025 and would help offset a possible step back from the offense. Hasn't happened, although was holding up not too badly until the loss of Joseph and Arnold.

2023:  PF 27.1, 5th  PA 23.3, 23rd (17 games)

2024: PF 33.2 , 1st  PA 20.1, 7th (17 games)

2025: PF 30.3, 1st  PA 24.6, 23rd (through 14 games)

Edited Monday at 04:17 PM by lordstanley

[Nate7474]

3 hours ago, lordstanley said:

The assumption (hope) going into this season was that the healthy defense would improve over 2025 and would help offset a possible step back from the offense. Hasn't happened, although was holding up not too badly until the loss of Joseph and Arnold.

2023:  PF 27.1, 5th  PA 23.3, 23rd (17 games)

2024: PF 33.2 , 1st  PA 20.1, 7th (17 games)

2025: PF 30.3, 1st  PA 24.6, 23rd (through 14 games)

We either need a completely new scheme defensively or are going to need to add more depth going into next year which honestly I thought they did before this season. It is glaringly obvious that the man to man style of attacking defense is leading to well more than average injuries. I believe our players are getting tired more often chasing around which leads to decreased injury avoidance.
If we are going to continue to lead the league in man to man defense we absolutely have to improve the pass rush ability of the d line and rotate players even the stars in our secondary throughout the game more. 

[Stanley70]

Am i the only one that doesn't like the style of defense they play? They play a ton of man, and they don't have the corners or pass rush to make it work. Plus knowing what defense to expect makes it easier for the opposing OC to call plays against. 

Plus they just don't seem that interested in adding guys who can rush the pass. They want DT's and DE's that are responsible against the run first and then if they can rush the passer great. That is how Josh Paschel and Tyliek Williams get drafted so high.

[Motown Bombers]

I wonder how the 2009 Saints did?

 

[Mr.TaterSalad]

I mean, if there is any QB who is Brees-esque, it is Goff. A QB who is largely immobile, but a great pocket passer. A guy who excels at play action and timing routes when he's got good protection and a running game going. While I do think they will miss the playoffs this year, I am by no means pessimistic about the year after that. I think this team and this front office can and will rebound.

[Motown Bombers]

After all the concern about Jameson Williams early in the season, he's on the cusp of 1,000 yards and is the top 10 in yards now.

 

[Hongbit]

2 hours ago, Motown Bombers said:

After all the concern about Jameson Williams early in the season, he's on the cusp of 1,000 yards and is the top 10 in yards now.

 

Too bad he can’t play both ways.

I’m only half joking.