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 yesterday 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 23 hours ago 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.