The Detroit Lions aren’t close to the dominant team they were at this point last season. Instead of leading the NFC North, Detroit sits at 7-5 and in third place, while former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has the Chicago Bears thriving with a 9-3 record and the division lead.
Even though the Lions defeated Chicago in a 52-21 blowout on September 14, the season has shifted dramatically. Detroit has now lost two of its last three games, and the lone win came against a depleted New York Giants squad missing its starting quarterback.
Detroit Lions Playoff Hopes Are Fading
With the playoff race tightening, the Lions’ margin for error is shrinking fast. Detroit must make key adjustments to stay alive in the NFC wild card race, and much of that falls on the coaching staff. Since head coach Dan Campbell took over offensive play-calling duties, the Lions are 2-2, a stretch that includes costly losses to the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers. Many believe those games could have had different outcomes with more conservative and consistent decision-making.
Ben Johnson’s Comments Raise Eyebrows
Adding to the tension, Ben Johnson made remarks this week that have Lions fans talking. During a Thanksgiving-week press conference, Johnson was asked what he remembered about last year’s Lions-Bears matchup—his final Thanksgiving game with Detroit, which ended in a 23-20 Lions win.
Johnson responded:
“Shoot, I don’t remember much about last year. I don’t remember much about last week, to be honest with you.”
The comment struck some as dismissive of his final season with Detroit, especially considering the praise he received for elevating the Lions’ offense. He did acknowledge the competitive nature of that game, saying it “came down to the wire,” but concluded with, “That’s about all I remember.”
Chicago Bears Firmly Ahead of Detroit in Playoff Race
The Lions’ playoff outlook worsened dramatically over Thanksgiving weekend. Detroit remains locked in third place behind the Bears and Packers, according to NFL data, and their postseason odds have plunged from 73% to just 32%, per Sports Illustrated.
The turning point came from two results:
The Lions’ loss to the Packers
The Bears’ dominant win over the Eagles
Chicago’s victory strengthens its hold on first place in the NFC North and tightens the competition for the conference’s wild card spots—bad news for Detroit.
Lions Face Increasing Pressure Down the Stretch
The Lions are stuck in a critical stretch and struggling to regain momentum. For a team that has battled for years to earn respect in the NFC, this downturn feels especially frustrating. Every remaining game carries greater weight, and every mistake could define the Lions’ postseason fate.
Detroit must quickly rediscover its identity if it wants to stay in the playoff conversation—and avoid watching former coordinator Ben Johnson and the Bears leave them behind.
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