The Detroit Lions woke up to more bad news for their 2025 NFL playoff hopes, as the NFC North continues to tighten and their path to the postseason becomes even more difficult. With one of the NFL’s toughest division schedules, every loss — and every win by rivals — impacts Detroit’s chances of returning to the NFC title picture.
Lions’ Thanksgiving Loss Creates Major Setback
Falling to the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving dropped the Lions to 7-5 and third place in the NFC North. According to league data, Detroit’s postseason chances fell sharply from 73% to around 32%, marking one of the biggest playoff-odds swings of the season.
This collapse comes at a time when the competition in the NFC North has never been stronger. Both the Chicago Bears and Packers continue to surge, making Detroit’s playoff route narrower by the week.
History Repeats: Missed Opportunities Haunt Detroit
Fans still remember the Lions’ heartbreaking loss in the 2023 NFC Championship Game, when Detroit fell 34-31 to the San Francisco 49ers after blowing a 17-point halftime lead. Some of head coach Dan Campbell’s late-game decisions from that matchup still linger in conversations today — and similar fourth-down choices have been a problem throughout the 2025 season.
The Lions once felt destined for a Super Bowl run, but the momentum has shifted dramatically.
Chicago Bears’ Latest Win Further Hurts Detroit
The Bears’ victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on November 28 made them the firm No. 1 team in the NFC North. Combined with the Lions’ loss to Green Bay, this result pushed Detroit’s playoff odds even lower.
To stay in the postseason hunt, Detroit may need to win out the rest of their schedule — and hope other NFC teams, including Chicago, drop key games down the stretch.
Lions’ Thanksgiving Struggles Continue
Thanksgiving has not been kind to Detroit. The Lions are 1-8 in their last nine Thanksgiving games, according to ESPN research. The trend continued this year with another narrow but damaging loss.
Dan Campbell tried to keep spirits up after the defeat.
“Like I told the team, ‘It’s frustrating, I know,’” Campbell said. “We’ve got a lot to be thankful for even after a loss.”
Can the Lions Recover Their Playoff Push?
The reality is harsh: the Detroit Lions’ playoff dreams have taken a nosedive. With a shrinking margin for error, Detroit must regroup immediately to keep their postseason chances alive. Every remaining game is now essentially a must-win.
If the Lions want to stay in the NFC race, they’ll need to fight back — fast — and hope the rest of the division finally gives them a break.
