Erik Schlitt and Jeremy Reisman once again make their game-by-game projections for the upcoming Detroit Lions season.
The Detroit Lions 2025 schedule has been released , and it’s once again time to make some way-too-early predictions for the season.
For the fourth season in a row, Jeremy Reisman and I have made our game-by-game predictions of the Lions’ schedule. And while their individual game predictions have not always been spot on, we have a pretty good track record when predicting the Lions’ overall record.
So, what are we predicting in 2025? Here are our game-by-game predictions for the upcoming season.
Week 1: Lions at Packers
Jeremy: Years ago, we feared trips to Green Bay. Now, we relish in them. Lions make it four straight in Green Bay in a rare nice-weather game. Lions win (1-0).
Erik: It’ll be nice for the Lions to open the season with a de facto home game, seeing as Detroit has won each of the past three visits to Lambeau Field. Packers quarterback Jordan Love has been getting a ton of hype this offseason, and I’d bet the Lions are just itching at the chance to remind people who the Kings of the North are. Lions win (1-0).
Week 2: Lions vs. Bears
Erik: Welcome back, Ben Johnson. The Bears’ national television exposure points to the NFL believing Chicago will be very good in 2025, but will they find their groove this early in the season? Expect the Lions to have some tricks up their sleeve for Johnson and exit Week 2 in control of the North. Lions win (2-0).
Jeremy: Love that the Lions are facing the Bears while they are still going to be figuring things out, like, “Why did we trade for Jonah Jackson?” Lions win (2-0).
Week 3: Lions at Ravens on MNF
Jeremy: Lamar Jackson is a ridiculous 24-2 against NFC teams in his career. The Lions haven’t beaten the Ravens in Baltimore… ever The odds are stacked against Detroit—PLUS they’ll have to deal with a rowdy Monday night away crowd. Lions lose (2-1).
Erik: The Lions and Ravens have met just seven times in their histories, with the Lions’ only win coming back in 2005. Now, 20 years later, will Kelvin Sheppard have the Lions’ defense operating at a high enough level to stop Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry? I wish I was more optimistic. Lions lose (2-1).
Week 4: Lions vs. Browns
Erik: Back home after a bit of a short week, and the NFL delivers the Lions an opponent they should have an advantage over in almost every way. Outside of Myles Garrett, there’s not much that should scare Detroit fans. Lions win (3-1).
Jeremy: I know the saying goes, “If you have two quarterbacks, you have none.” How does that work with five quarterbacks? The Browns are arguably the easiest game on the schedule, and with this one at home, it’s as much of a sure thing as you can get in May. Lions win (3-1).
Week 5: Lions at Bengals
Jeremy: The Bengals are a tough team to read. They’ve got a potent offense and an elite quarterback, but their defense sank them last year. I don’t think they’ll be able to hold Detroit’s offense under 30, even with new offensive coordinator John Morton still learning on the job. Lions win (4-1)
Erik: A month into the season, and the Lions should have found their groove by this point. And Detroit will need John Morton to have the offense humming because this game looks primed to be an offensive shootout. Being in Cincinnati could be an issue, but I’m not scared of the Bengals’ defense. Lions win (4-1).
Week 6: Lions at Chiefs on SNF
Erik: While the Lions could repeat their glory game from 2023, this game feels like it’s one where a fluky fourth-quarter judgment call against the Lions’ defense costs Detroit this game. Lions lose (4-2).
Jeremy: Chiefs get their revenge from the 2023 season opener. Lions lose (4-2).
Week 7: Lions vs. Buccaneers on MNF
Jeremy: The Bucs always seem to play the Lions hard, and they surprisingly handled Detroit last year—albeit mostly just in the red zone. But Lions defensive line coach Kacey Rodgers is on a mission to prove he left for the better team. Lions win (5-2).
Erik: This could low-key be one of the most challenging games on the Lions’ schedule, but Detroit rarely loses at home in primetime, and I expect them to be dialed in for their last game before the bye. Lions win (5-2).
Week 8 – BYE WEEK
Erik: The Lions get a few more games under their belt before the bye this year, and hopefully, their rest week comes at the right time.
Jeremy: Can the NFL stop cutting into the Lions’ bye week with a Monday night game right before it, please?
Week 9: Lions vs. Vikings
Jeremy: Admittedly, I was hoping to get J.J. McCarthy a little earlier in his NFL career, because I do think Kevin O’Connell may have him looking good by this point in the season. But with the extra rest and some tape on the former Wolverine, the Lions take care of business. Lions win (6-2)
Erik: Coming out of the bye, the Lions should be fully prepared for McCarthy and will likely even have some wrinkles ready for the young quarterback. This feels like a ball possession game that is won in the trenches, and it’s not wise to bet against the Lions in this style of game. Lions win (6-2).
Week 10: Lions at Commanders
Erik: The Lions have a way of not repeating the same mistake twice, and this will be a prime opportunity to keep that tradition rolling. Expect this game to be circled on the Lions’ team schedule this season. Lions win (7-2).
Jeremy: The Commanders took it to the Lions last time, and Detroit will be looking for revenge. I do think the national media is getting ahead of the Commanders a bit, but they’re a tough matchup for Detroit. Lions lose (6-3).
Week 11: Lions at Eagles on SNF
Jeremy: The NFC Championship Game we were all robbed of last year. The Eagles are still a really good team, and this is going to be a very tough environment for the Lions. However, Alim McNeill should be back, Tyleik Williams should be improving, and I think they’ll be able to stop Philly’s ground game. Lions win (7-3).
Erik: If the Lions are able to get an emotional win over the Commanders, this has the makings of a letdown game, but if the Lions lose, I expect them to rally up against the Eagles. I have Detroit beating Washington in this scenario, so I reluctantly have them falling to the Eagles here. Lions lose (7-3).
Week 12: Lions vs. Giants
Erik: We’re about two years into my monthly rant about how bad the Giants organization is being run, and I expect Detroit to outclass them from the jump. Plus, a little revenge for the Pistons. Lions win (8-3).
Jeremy: I think there’s a very real chance the Giants are working with an interim coach at this point in the season. They’re a long way off from being competitive. Lions win (8-3).
Week 13: Lions vs. Packers on Thanksgiving Day
Jeremy: I don’t know why, but I get bad vibes from this one. Maybe it’s the 2023 Thanksgiving game, maybe it’s just that the Packers seem to play Detroit tougher in Ford Field than at home. Tough loss. Lions lose (8-4)
Erik: The Packers will surely be looking for revenge after dropping the opener to the Lions, but Dan Campbell has a way of punishing timid coaches. I’m not expecting a repeat from 2023. Lions win (9-3).
Week 14: Lions vs. Cowboys on TNF
Erik: Lions prove they’re America’s Team with another trouncing. Lions win (10-3).
Jeremy: The Cowboys and Chris Christie will have revenge on their mind after last year’s massacre, but with this game in Detroit, there will be no Cowboys shenanigans. Comfortable win for the Lions. Lions win (9-4)
Week 15: Lions at Rams
Jeremy: The Lions’ one and only road trip past the central time zone for what could be Matthew Stafford’s swan song. The Rams went on an absolute tear toward the end of last season and nearly beat the eventual Super Bowl champion Eagles in the Divisional Round. I think this game is tougher than it looks. Lions lose (9-5).
Erik: The Lions don’t always travel to the west coast well, but they slayed those demons last year in San Francisco. However, coming off back-to-back Thursday night games is enough to throw them off just enough to cost them a game against a tough Rams opponent. Lions lose (10-4).
Week 16: Lions vs. Steelers
Erik: If the final home game of the Lions’ regular season is against a Steelers team that may be corrupted by the addition of Aaron Rodgers, Ford Field fans will enter the holiday season on a very high note. Lions win (11-4).
Jeremy: Bring me Aaron Rodgers. I dare you. Lions win (10-5).
Week 17: Lions at Vikings on Christmas Day
Jeremy: In 2023, you tempted fate with the NFL scheduling gods . In 2025, I made the same mistake with this game. I hope Goodell and Kevin O’Connell get the biggest lumps of coal in their stockings. Lions win (11-5).
Erik: So many kids in Minnesota are going to be sad on Christmas. Thanks, Roger. Lions win (12-4).
Week 18: at Bears
Erik: There will not be a repeat of the “greatest regular season game in NFL history” this year, as I expect this to be a battle between the top and bottom teams in the NFC North. Lions sweep the North for the second year in a row. Lions win (13-4).
Jeremy: Ben Johnson gets one last opportunity to stick it to Lions fans during a lost season. He unloads the bag-o-tricks. Rome Odunze throws two interceptions. Lions win (12-5).