The Detroit Lions are entering 2025 with high expectations after last year’s 15-2 regular-season finish. While repeating that record will be tough, the main goal is to stay healthy and build on last year’s effort. In 2024, despite holding the NFC’s top seed, their playoff journey ended early when the Washington Commanders shocked them in the Divisional Round.
Detroit remains the favorite in the NFC North, but the Packers are close behind and bolstered with new offensive talent. Minnesota, now led by rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy, sits third in the odds, while Chicago — with ex-Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson at the helm — faces a steep climb.
With just two preseason games played, most analysts haven’t made predictions yet. Madden NFL 26, however, has run its annual simulation. Last year’s projection had the Lions reaching the NFC Championship before falling to Philadelphia, who then lost to Kansas City in the Super Bowl. This year’s virtual season comes with a few surprises.
Simulation Settings
Difficulty: All-Madden
Quarter length: 15 minutes
Pre-existing injuries: On
Depth chart: User predictions based on expected final roster
First Half (Weeks 1–11)
The season began with a setback against Green Bay, but Detroit bounced back by defeating Baltimore, Cleveland, and Ben Johnson’s Bears, reaching 3-1 before losing to Cincinnati. They quickly recovered with a dominant 40-17 win over Kansas City and entered the bye at 5-2 after topping Tampa Bay.
Post-bye momentum continued with a blowout of Minnesota, a road win over Washington, and a narrow 30-28 victory in Philadelphia — revenge for last year’s NFC title game dream that never happened. By Week 11, Madden had Detroit at 8-2, exceeding expectations.
Second Half (Weeks 12–18)
Injuries finally struck. DT Alim McNeill and rookie RG Tate Ratledge both missed a month. Detroit still beat the Giants but lost to Green Bay on Thanksgiving. Wins over Dallas followed, improving the record to 10-3.
When McNeill and Ratledge returned in Week 15, RB Jahmyr Gibbs went down, sidelined until the postseason. The Lions fell to the Rams, then to Pittsburgh — with veteran Aaron Rodgers claiming victory in his final game versus Detroit — marking their first losing streak since 2022.
They finished strong, beating Minnesota and Chicago to close 12-5, securing a third straight division crown and the NFC’s top seed. However, LG Christian Mahogany’s injury left them shorthanded for the playoffs.
Postseason Projection
The simulated NFC playoff bracket included Arizona sneaking in and Atlanta making a surprising Wild Card run. Over in the AFC, unexpected developments had Pittsburgh as the 2 seed, Jacksonville topping Houston for the South title, and Las Vegas ending a playoff drought dating back to 2021.
Detroit’s postseason ended in heartbreak again. Former Lions QB Matthew Stafford and the Rams knocked them out in the Divisional Round — just like last year, the team that beat Detroit went on to the Super Bowl. This time, the Rams routed the Raiders 33-7, with Stafford earning his second ring before retirement.
Stats & Takeaways
Jared Goff: 3,000+ yards, 30 TDs, 9 INTs
Jahmyr Gibbs: 1,251 rushing yards, 9 TDs (led team in carries)
David Montgomery: 747 yards, team-high 10 rushing TDs
Jameson Williams: 1,044 yards, 11 TDs (team leader in receiving)
Amon-Ra St. Brown: 895 yards, 9 TDs (down year)
Sam LaPorta: 458 yards, 5 TDs
Defensively, Aidan Hutchinson tied the single-season sack record at 22.5 but lost Defensive Player of the Year honors to T.J. Watt, who broke the record with 28 sacks. Marcus Davenport added 9.5 sacks, boosting an already dangerous pass rush. Interceptions dropped sharply, with Jack Campbell, D.J. Reed, and Terrion Arnold each managing only two.
If this prediction came true, it would be a frustrating repeat — top seed, early exit. Unlike 2024, injuries wouldn’t be the excuse. The Lions’ real mission is clear: anything less than at least reaching the NFC Championship would be viewed as a letdown, with the Super Bowl the ultimate target.
