ESPN Backs Lions as Super Bowl Contenders Even Without Ben Johnson’s Input

According to ESPN’s latest Football Power Index (FPI) rankings and 2025 Super Bowl odds, the Lions currently hold the fifth-best chances to win it all, trailing only the Eagles, Chiefs, Bills, and Ravens.

And it gets even better. The Lions appear in several top projected Super Bowl matchups. So, Chicago, remind us again how badly we miss Ben Johnson?

To be specific, Detroit is part of three of the top six most probable Super Bowl pairings. Those include potential games against the Bills, Ravens, and Chiefs, each holding a three percent chance of occurring.

While that may seem like a small percentage, it’s worth noting that the highest-projected matchup only comes in at four percent.

With all the offseason talk surrounding the Lions’ loss of Johnson and multiple other coaches, this recognition should silence doubts—Detroit is still a serious contender.

That’s not to discredit Johnson’s value; he’s clearly a talented coach. Lions fans would be kidding themselves to think otherwise.

Yet, Detroit’s progress has come from years of smart building. Johnson played a key role, no doubt, but the team is built to win. Dan Campbell remains the leader, and the roster still boasts elite playmakers.

Yes, the offense must now prove itself in the post-Johnson chapter. But even national analysts agree: the Lions are legitimate contenders in 2025—regardless of the coaching losses or a tough schedule.