Over the past few seasons, the Detroit Lions have had some standout moments, but they’ve also faced their share of crushing losses. One of the most devastating came in the 2023 postseason, when the Lions were taken down by the Washington Commanders in a high-scoring 45-31 matchup. That defeat ended their Super Bowl hopes yet again.
Even more heartbreaking was their fall to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game during the 2023-24 campaign. With a ticket to the Super Bowl almost in hand, Detroit couldn’t hold off a massive rally from San Francisco, ending their dream season abruptly.
While those losses hurt, a recent analysis by Pro Football Focus (PFF) reveals that one player, in particular, has consistently been a nightmare for Detroit — and he plays for the very team that ended their 2023 season.
Trent Williams: A Consistent Thorn in Detroit’s Side
In a June 4 article by Dalton Wasserman for PFF, the outlet examined which NFL player has statistically dominated each team over the past five years. The evaluation focused on players who had logged at least 100 snaps against a given opponent — ensuring a reliable sample size over multiple games.
For the Detroit Lions, no one has been more dominant than 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams. According to PFF’s grading system, Williams earned elite marks in both of his recent games against Detroit, with an overall grade of 90.0 or higher each time.
Even more telling, his run-blocking prowess stood out — earning a stellar 92.6 grade across those two contests. This makes Williams the top-performing individual against the Lions during that span.
Given that Williams is under a three-year, $82 million contract with San Francisco, his performance proves he’s more than lived up to that hefty investment — especially when facing Detroit.
Looking Ahead: Hope for Detroit in 2025
Despite recent setbacks, there are reasons for optimism in Detroit. In another PFF article published June 10, Wasserman outlines one encouraging factor for each NFL team heading into the 2025 season. For the Lions, he highlights defensive star Aidan Hutchinson.
Hutchinson, who struggled with injury late last season, is viewed as a game-changer. Wasserman suggests that if the standout edge rusher can return to peak form, he could drastically improve Detroit’s defense and overall outlook.
As the new season approaches, all teams start from scratch. The Lions, despite their past postseason pain, have foundational talent — especially on defense — that gives fans reason to believe 2025 could finally be their year.
